101 – NO GUTS, NO GAIN! A Program to Improve Your Effectiveness, Strengthen Your Resolve and Inspire You to Action

A Program to improve your effectiveness, strengthen your resolve and inspire you to action. Business development is a tough job. It can be emotionally draining and is often high-rejection. It may be that good people get demotivated and need to be revitalized. This motivational program helps each participant gain back the assertiveness they need to feel good about themselves and the job.

Presenter:
Randy Hnatko, President, Trainwest Management and Consulting Inc.

Biography: [more] [less]

102 – Cradle to Cradle as a Sustainable Design Framework

session sponsored by

The Cradle to Cradle(SM) framework provides a paradigm and protocols to maximize positive environmental, social and economic impacts and eliminate the concept of waste through innovative design. During this talk, Mr. Ewell will outline the overarching Cradle to Cradle vision, differentiate it from other sustainability approaches, discuss the scientific tools for creating products using safe and recyclable materials, and review several case studies of organizations implementing this framework.

Presenter:
James Ewell, Director of Consulting, MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC.)

Biography: [more] [less]

103 – Lighting for Smart Buildings. Dollars and Sense.

Energy use and costs dominate the mind of most owners and managers of commercial properties, especially in today’s volatile economy. Energy codes, regulations and industry guidelines often conflict or at the very least do not offer a choice in how to achieve prescribed limits to energy use. What options are available? This seminar will look into the role lighting plays in creating an energy-efficient, healthy and profitable built environment. One that stimulates its occupants, satisfies codes and offers predictability for operating and maintenance costs in the future. Lighting design techniques, lighting equipment and lighting controls for smart buildings in new construction and retrofit markets will be presented.

Presenter:
Joseph Scott, President, TRIPPED ON LIGHT design inc.

Biography:
Joseph Scott is the president of TRIPPED ON LIGHT Design Inc., a lighting design firm serving the Architectural and Engineering communities in Canada and beyond. [more] [less]

He is an accredited member of the International Association of Lighting Designers, the Professional Lighting Designers Association and is a Lighting Certified professional. Joseph is also a member of the Cascadia chapter of the Canada Green Building Council and the recipient of numerous Illumination Design awards. His passion for lighting spills into his personal life, as a lighting designer for an amateur theatre group, The Rock Island Players, and the Diversity Music Festival.

104 – Understanding Workplace Safety: Your Responsibilities as Prime Contractor

Workplace Health and Safety legislation in Alberta defines the role of Prime Contractor for worksite safety. With penalties recently increased in 2008 to $500,000 and/or 6 month in jail for a first offence, it is imperative that you understand when you are Prime Contractor for your building and what your responsibilities are under the law. If you hire contractors as part of your building management or operations responsibilities, this presentation is for you.

Presenter:
Bill Todd, President, Cleanmax Inc.

Biography:
Bill is president of Cleanmax Inc. and has over 25 years experience in commercial cleaning. [more] [less] Bill’s passion is creating caring and engaged workplaces, and he views workplace safety as a great way to demonstrate real care and concern for your team. Cleanmax Inc. is a Calgary based commercial cleaning firm and is COR certified by WCB. Cleanmax provides safety education as part of their value added client services.

105 – The Law of Tendering: How the Rules of the Game Affect You and Your Projects

By the end of this session you will have a better understanding of the principles behind the Law of Tendering: what to watch for; what not to do; and how to protect your interests. This seminar will arm you with the up-to-date information you need to be confident when you’re involved in the tendering process.

Presenter:
Erika Carrasco, Associate, Field Law LLP

Biography:
Erika Carrasco is counsel at Field LLP in the Insurance and Construction Law group. A major part of Erika’s practice involves handling delay and deficiency claims, builders’ liens matters, and contractual disputes. Erika’s clients range from large general contractors to sub-trades who require legal advice on commercial as well as residential projects. Erika is an executive member of the Canadian Bar Association – Construction Law section.

106 – How to Please Your Hardest to Please Customers

Everyone has them: those customers and clients who never seem satisfied. With them, our best efforts to please go unrecognized, our peak performance gets criticized, and our deepest sacrifices go unrewarded. Here’s how to manage expectations and turn your most demanding customers into your most loyal advocates.

You will learn: seven solid gold listening skills that make you a hit in anyone’s book, winning and losing words and phrases that can determine the direction of customer interaction, 10 surefire ways to annoy your customers and how to avoid them, how to keep your cool even when the situation gets hot, what it takes to keep policies and procedures from getting in the way of solutions, recovery tips that return customers to the fold, techniques to ensure that what you’ve said is what the client heard, how to slow down situations that are threatening to spiral out of control.

Presenter:
Kevin Lust, Founder, Lust Development Group – Management Consultant & Professional Trainer

Biography:
If you’ve heard Kevin Lust speak, then you know you’d come back to hear him again and again. If you haven’t, don’t wait any longer. [more] [less]

107 – KEYNOTE PANEL: From Wild West to World Class

Does architecture and design have a role in re-branding Calgary as a world-class city? Does iconic architecture matter?
In the last oil boom of the 1970’s, demands of a city in overdrive led to massive and hastily built projects that often resulted in a barrage of buildings indistinct in design and bland in character. Typically intended for maximum capacities without time or consideration for inspiration or innovation, the long term contribution of these structures was rarely considered. It was not surprising for a small, relatively young city to be more concerned with practicality than aesthetics and global frontiers. Fast forward 30 years to the recent boom and we see a city that is more mature, sophisticated and connected globally than ever before. Its affluence has attracted the attention of many, including renowned architects who, in concert with many talented local firms, will now leave a legacy of design and architecture worthy of the world stage.

What lies ahead for Calgary? What roles do architecture and design have in re-branding the city as one worthy of the international stage? What are the factors and considerations that influence how the city will develop and the potential for iconic architecture to be part of its cityscape? This keynote session will engage some of Calgary’s foremost citizens and future thinkers as they discuss Calgary’s future in this context.

Larry Clausen

David Beck

Bruce Graham

Dr. Brian Sinclair

Richard White

Moderator:
Larry Clausen, Senior Vice President, National Public Relations

Speakers:
David Beck, Senior Manager, Calgary Stampede
Bruce Graham, President, Calgary Economic Development Corporation
Dr. Brian R. Sinclair, FRAIC AIA (Intl), Professor of Architecture + Environmental Design, University of Calgary
Richard White, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Riddell Kurczaba Architecture Engineering & Interior Design Ltd.

Biographies: [more] [less]

108 – Protecting Our Precious Resource: Water Conservation & Energy Efficiency for New Construction. Why Does It Matter?

With the potential of a looming water crisis in future years and with the current degradation of natural water systems, it is necessary for the building industry to take initiative and become informed about strategies and applications that can support water conservation and improve water efficiency for new construction. Presenters will discuss the current and future water issues facing Albertans. They will present some strategies that are currently being used at municipal and provincial levels to support water conservation and energy efficiency. It is hoped that these examples may serve as a launching platform for new ideas and strategies within the private sector for sustainable practices relating to water.

Presenters:
Cheryl Harmsworth, Senior Sustainable Infrastructure Engineer, The City of Calgary
Mike Meagher, Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Customer Coordinator, The City of Calgary, Water Resources
Tyler Wightman, BA, MA , Policy Advisor, Legislation and Strategic Projects, Public Safety Division, Alberta Municipal Affairs

Biographies: [more] [less]

109 – Making Green Kitchen & Bath Design Work for Everyone

session sponsored by


presented by

Green Design continues to grow in popularity in the kitchen and bath industry, as well as with residential homeowners and commercial builders. The demand to create eco-friendly and healthy kitchens and baths that don’t sacrifice style or comfort has reached the mainstream and is spreading to all segments of the industry. This program is designed to help fellow professionals understand their options for creating more energy efficient living spaces. What is our responsibility as manufacturers, specifiers and designers to use products that are environmentally responsible and how can we convince the end user that this is an important and cost-efficient decision to make? Join Sara to learn how to work together to find the balance between the dream and the reality of Green Design.

Presenter:
Sara Ann Busby, CKD – 2009 NKBA Immediate Past President

Biography:
Sara Ann Busby, CKD has owned and operated Sara Busby Design, a residential kitchen and bath showroom in northern Michigan for over 20 years. She holds a Michigan State Residential Contractor License and a CKD designation that she earned in 1994. She was involved in the formation of the Northern Michigan Chapter of the NKBA.

110 – Mould and Moisture Management in Alberta

session sponsored by

This session will begin with an overview of the factors affecting indoor air quality — insofar as to how and why mould develops in buildings. The session will discuss practical methods to assess indoor air quality and prevent moisture intrusion, thus preventing reoccurrence of mould. In addition, discussion will include how to examine, diagnose the extent of a mould problems, assess the health risk to building occupants, and how to effectively manage a mould issue when it is identified.

Presenter:
Dr. Tang Lee, Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary

Biography: Tang Lee began designing solar heating systems in 1975, and in 1979 he formed the Calgary chapter of the Solar Energy Society of Canada. [more] [less]

He teaches building science, indoor air quality, sustainable design, mechanical and civil engineering at several universities in Canada and abroad. He is on several committees of Health Canada, National Research Council of Canada and Canadian Standards Association. He is qualified as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases due to his reputation as an academic, architect and builder. Tang Lee designs healthy and sustainable buildings as well as planning sustainable communities. Tang Lee is also fish farmer raising tropical fish for consumption and where the waste water is used in a hydroponics greenhouse.

111 – Sustainable Retrofits Without Breaking the Bank

session sponsored by

The majority of occupied buildings in North America are over 20+ years old. Many of these structures will require some type of retrofit to meet ongoing demands. How do you control costs for base-building upgrades, especially with today’s tighter budgets? This session will walk you through a full project scope of work, focusing on key considerations upfront, which will ensure the right priorities that will deliver long-term value.

Topics will include: Building Assessments, Lifecycle Costing, Sustainable Design, Opportunities, Project Delivery for Retrofits, Contingencies and Construction.

Beginning with an overview of Building Assessments, this presentation will discuss setting priorities based on operational costs as well as initial capital costs. Sustainable Design Opportunities will review architectural, mechanical, and electrical retrofits for energy savings. Project delivery and Construction will comment on issues of unknown conditions, managing contingencies, and phasing upgrade projects.

Presenter:
Eric Toker, Principal, Toker & Associates Ltd.

Biography:
Eric Toker is Principal of Toker + Associates, an award-winning Architecture and Interior design firm based in Calgary. [more] [less] Toker + Associates have completed projects for both public and private sector clients across Alberta, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Eric is active in several associations, including BOMA and NAIOP, as well as serving on various committees. As part of his commitment to ongoing research and education, Eric has previously directed design studios at the University of Calgary. A registered Architect, Eric received his Master of Architecture from McGill, with undergraduate work at the University of Waterloo. Eric maintains a strong interest in planning, and was honored to serve on the City of Calgary Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. He is past chair of community planning committees, and past recipient of a service award from the Federation of Calgary Communities.

112 – Builders Liens

Are you confused by lien laws? Do you rely on your lien rights as an alternative to sound credit granting and policing? How do you ensure you get paid in the current environment?

By the end of this session you will have a better understanding of the principles of the Builders’ Lien Act including registration, perfection, enforcement and the complex area of lien fund calculation. We will discuss lien claims in an insolvency situation, what you can do to reduce the impact of foreclosure, abandoned sites, priority disputes and the risks of contracting directly with the owner. The session will include tips to make the process easier and point out the traps you need to avoid.

Presenter:
James P. Flanagan, Partner, McLennan Ross

Biography: [more] [less]

113 – Building Your People Skills for Today’s Market

No matter your profession, industry, or product, the one common denominator to success in business — and in life — is the ability to get along with people. Customers, coworkers, bosses, employees, vendors, and clients all demand different approaches, but, like playing golf or learning the piano, communicating in a way that says, “I’m a professional,” is a skill that can be learned. Learn the professional people skills that can set you apart as someone who can get things done in this powerful program.

By learning these dynamic skills, you will be able to: Express your ideas in ways that inspire the respect of others, “Fit in” with just about any group in just about any situation, turn casual customer meetings into lasting profitable relationships, make a first impression that makes people want to have a second meeting with you, discover the secret to building rapport and conversing easily - even with people you have just met, establish trust and construct firm foundations for future business dealings, avoid the most common traps that infect relationships, recognize the violations of courtesy that can destroy business partnerships.

Presenter:
Kevin Lust, Founder, Lust Development Group, Management Consultant, Professional Trainer

Biography:
If you’ve heard Kevin Lust speak, then you know you’d come back to hear him again and again. If you haven’t, don’t wait any longer. [more] [less]

114 – Performative Architecture

This keynote presentation will introduce Performative Architecture as an emerging design paradigm in which building performance, broadly understood, becomes a guiding design principle. This approach to architecture places performance on par with form making; it utilizes digital technologies of quantitative and qualitative performance simulation to offer a comprehensive new approach to the design of the built environment. A survey of current digitally-driven developments in Performative Architecture is presented and illustrated with examples from contemporary practice.

Speaker:
Dr. Branko Kolarevic, Chair in Integrated Design, University of Calgary

Biography:
Branko Kolarevic is an associate professor of architecture at the University of Calgary Faculty of Environmental Design, where he holds the Chair in Integrated Design and co-directs the Laboratory for Integrative Design (LID). [more] [less] He has lectured worldwide on the use of digital technologies in design and production and has authored, edited or co-edited several books, including the recently published “Manufacturing Material Effects: Rethinking Design and Making in Architecture” (with Kevin Klinger), “Performative Architecture: Beyond Instrumentality” (with Ali Malkawi) and “Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing.” He is the past president of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) and is the recipient of the ACADIA 2007 Award for Innovative Research. He holds doctoral and master’s degrees in design from Harvard University and a diploma engineer in architecture degree from the University of Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia.

115 – Reducing Impact to Preserve Water: Low Impact Development in Alberta

session sponsored by

Water can no longer be taken for granted in Alberta and we cannot afford to put our heads in the sand any longer in terms of its stewardship and protection. Development that utilizes strategies to reduce environmental impact and preserve our water resources is now becoming of the utmost importance.

It is possible to plan for low impact without added cost. This session will discuss why we need to think about low impact development and how it can be practically implemented. Examples of what can be done at various levels of development and of strategies that can reduce the impacts on Alberta’s streams, lakes, wetlands and watersheds will be discussed. Other points to be addressed include imperviousness and its impact on watersheds; stormwater management and pollution prevention; enhanced, low-maintenance landscaping that fits Alberta’s climate; green roofs, water re-use and the approval process.

Speakers:
Liliana Bozic M.Sc., P.Eng, Vice-President, Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership
Graham Tait B.Sc., CPESC, CPSWQ, Erosion Control Coordinator, The City of Calgary
Bert van Duin M.Sc., P. Eng, Senior Development Engineer, The City of Calgary

Biographies: [more] [less]

Graham Tait
Graham Tait is the Erosion Control Coordinator for the Water Resources Business Unit, City of Calgary. The erosion control group within Water Resources is responsible for the review and inspection of erosion and sediment control and stormwater pollution prevention practices associated with development permit sites and city projects. Graham has a degree in Soil Science and Environmental Chemistry, and is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) and a Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ). He has more than 13 years experience in erosion and sediment control and land reclamation in Alberta and British Columbia, working in urbanized areas, as well as on ski hill reclamation projects and remote mine sites. Graham has taught several erosion and sediment control classroom-based courses through The City of Calgary and has also presented several seminars at conferences throughout Canada.

116 – What’s New in Lighting: What Have We Done and Where Do We Go From Here?

session sponsored by

Let’s look at some new developments in lighting and its application. Some new lighting products have been embraced, some misapplied and some tried-and-true have been forgotten. Light sources such as light emitting diodes (LED), self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and ceramic metal halide (CMH) dominate the market. Some are promoted by energy regulators and others driven by popular demand. Given all the choices and varied opinion how does one decide what to do? Who should be making the decisions? This seminar will help unravel the web and prepare design professionals to make informed decisions to select appropriate sources of light and how to apply them.

Presenter:
Joseph Scott, President, TRIPPED ON LIGHT design inc.

Biography:
Joseph Scott is the president of TRIPPED ON LIGHT Design Inc., a lighting design firm serving the Architectural and Engineering communities in Canada and beyond. [more] [less]

He is an accredited member of the International Association of Lighting Designers, the Professional Lighting Designers Association and is a Lighting Certified professional. Joseph is also a member of the Cascadia chapter of the Canada Green Building Council and the recipient of numerous Illumination Design awards. His passion for lighting spills into his personal life, as a lighting designer for an amateur theatre group, The Rock Island Players, and the Diversity Music Festival.

117 – The Good, The Bad and the Ugly of Materials Selection

It’s amazing, the progress our society has made, even in the last 100 years. Moving from the industrial age to the information age. From horses to cars, handwritten letters to Morse code, to the Internet and Facebook. What we haven’t fully realized is that the progress comes with a huge price tag. Some things that we take for granted as “good” — or things that we think have made our lives easier…haven’t.
When we come to a deeper understanding of a particular material that is in a product or a particular process that is used to create a new product, we begin to realize the impact of the choices we make each day.

This session will look at the material choices we make — as consumers, architects, designers, facilities managers, project managers…each day — and how we can have either a positive or negative impact on human health, and the health of the planet.

Come and experience the good, the bad, and the ugly of materials selection.

Presenter:
Gianpaolo Versace, Deal Sales Consultant, Steelcase Canada

Biography: Born and raised in the Netherlands, Gianpaolo worked in the publishing industry, including Reader’s Digest before moving to Canada in 1998. [more] [less]

In 2001 he joined Steelcase, and has worked with Steelcase dealers, architects and designers, and customers throughout Western Canada. He became interested in sustainability when Steelcase opened the first LEED certified manufacturing plant. Working with Steelcase’s own environmental departments and numerous designers and clients he has gained a deep understanding of the environmental issues and choices related to the workplace. He believes sustainability is not just the right thing to do for people and the environment, it also makes business sense.

118 – Building Envelopes as the HVAC System

The primary indoor thermal and environmental quality control system for all buildings is the building skin. Many times interior comfort issues are a direct result of a poorly designed and performing building envelope. This presentation will outline some common pitfalls and ways to avoid them without incurring premium costs, which can lead to large reductions in building HVAC system energy use and increased indoor comfort. An overview of window and glazing design issues along with opaque wall thermal performance issues will be presented.

Presenter:
Geoff McDonell, P. Eng, LEED AP, Mechanical, Department Manager, Aerius Engineering

Biography: Graduated from the University of Alberta in 1979. [more] [less]

119 – What is Quality Assurance and How to Ensure Effective Implementation

session sponsored by

With the recent lay-offs in the downturn, quality assurance experts are not necessarily on staff as they once were. Consequently, it is possible that a contractor may not have the expertise to provide quality control and assurance on a project. This session will serve to fill in the blanks and provide an introduction to quality assurance for consultants and contractors. Delivered by an expert who has been in the industry for 30 years and is currently employed by Ledcor as its Director of Quality Assurance, you can expect to gain qualified and experienced knowledge and expertise on the fundamentals of quality assurance. The presentation will examine the life of a project from start-up through to post-completion and will demonstrate how four key factors can be used to structure an effective relationship between consultant and contractor, to produce a quality-managed project.

Presenter:
Brian Palmquist, Director of Quality Assurance, Ledcor Construction Limited

Biography:
Brian has more than 30 years experience in Canadian design and construction, including stints as an architect, urban designer, building code and building envelope expert, educator and more recently a LEED Accredited Professional and Director of Quality Assurance for Ledcor Construction Ltd., Canada’s second largest builder. [more] [less]

120 – Colour Destinations

Session presented in partnership with

PPG's newest colour trends presentation, Surreal Real 2009-2010, provides an informed perspective on the colour and design trends seen in residential, commercial and retail markets. This presentation begins with the demographic and societal underpinnings of their current colour trends - Surreal Real - and then moves on to showcase distinct colour trends in condo design, as well as in hotel and retail, the “runways” for commercial designers. The scale, proportion, and the need to create spaces that are destinations in their own right offer unique opportunities for creative expression. Surreal Real colour trends speak to the duality of living between earth and sky – between a rational existence and the world of possibilities. War and economic stress and other societal ‘realities’ force us to be grounded and logical, but our need to dream is an essential aspect of our humanity. The Surreal palettes are surprising and magical: Romantic and dreamy cosmetic pinks, as well as virtual, fantastical matte shades of green, yellow and blue that contradict but co-exist with the Real palettes. Earthy and tangible, the Real palettes reflect our respect for craftsmanship, authenticity, and time-honored objects - organic browns and inky blacks rooted in cultural, philosophical and spiritual journeys.

100% of proceeds from this seminar will be donated to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank

Attendees of the Colour Destination seminar will receive a complimentary copy of Janice Lindsay's book "All About Colour" courtesy of PPG.

Presenter:
Fawn Chang, PPG National Colour & Design Consultant Allied ASID, IIDA, NKBA Member

Biography:
Fawn is a popular writer, designer, speaker, color expert and consultant. She integrates the best of East and West with a designer's eye to serve a diverse clientele. [more] [less]

201 – Introductory Project Management: 12 Steps to Ensure Success and Avoid Construction Disputes

More than ever before, companies need to be able to respond quickly, focus resources and deliver projects on time and within budget. If you are a building owner or manager, you need to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies to help you be an effective project manager/team leader.

From this mini-course you will learn:

How to properly initiate a project; define and validate project goals, requirements, and objectives; people, process, and product management; quality planning and control; contract and procurement management; and manage performance, relationships and expectations. There will be a review of the key responsibilities in project plan development; project plan execution and integrated change control. The key elements of cost and schedule management; how to apply practical risk management techniques in the planning and control of your project and how to keep your team committed throughout the project will also be discussed. Handouts will be provided.

Presenter:
Doug Land, Program Director, Western Canada, Masters Certificate in Project Management, Schulich Executive Education Centre, Schulich School of Business, York University

Biography: Doug is currently Senior Vice President with the Atocrates Project Management Group and teaches Project Management in a variety of settings, including corporate and academic. He also teaches Procurement and Contract Management throughout British Columbia, Canada, to provincial government procurement specialists. [more] [less]

202 – HVAC Systems & New Technologies: Understanding and Managing the Potential Conflict between Green Architecture, IAQ and Energy Efficiency

Discover the latest technologies for advanced, efficient, commercial heating systems. Although giving the appearance of being efficient, many commercial combustion systems operate at relatively low overall efficiencies, due to their design, installation, modes of operation of a combination of all three. Find out what makes heating systems efficient and appreciate the drawbacks with many present energy technologies. Not only the benefits, but the problems or drawbacks that exist with some newer systems will be discussed, while the best new systems will be emphasized. See how certain fuel-fired systems fit with low energy green buildings, and get a glimpse of the next generation of integrated systems, which can lead to the “net-zero” buildings of the future.

Presenter:
Skip Hayden, Senior Research Scientist & Deputy S&T Director, Natural Resources Canada

Biography: [more] [less]

Skip Hayden is Senior Research Scientist, and Deputy S&T Director, Integrated Energy Systems, at CanmetENERGY-Ottawa, NRCan. He has been carrying out applied R&D for more than thirty years on residential, commercial and industrial combustion systems to dramatically increase efficiency and lower pollutant emissions. Many of his technology developments are now mainstream in the North American marketplace. He works closely with industry, utilities, standards organizations and policy makers to develop and implement new efficient, climate-friendly technologies. He was recently awarded the Canadian Federal Public Service Award for Excellence, rarely given to scientists, for his work in energy efficiency. He is the past President of Affordable Comfort Inc., past Director of the Source Division of the Air & Waste Management Association, the member of over 20 national and international technical and standards committees and the author of over 250 technical publications, 5 books and numerous consumer guides on efficient energy use.

203 – Protecting Your Interests and Your Assets: Occupational Health & Safety in the Workplace

session presented by

BOOK LAUNCH! BOMA Calgary and Partnerships in Injury Reduction present the Recommended Practices in Health + Safety A Guide for Building Owners + Managers! Each session participant will receive a copy of this industry-created tool for Occupational Health and Safety! Keeping people safe and effective is crucial to operating a business, but where do you start? What is required for a OH&S Plan for your building? If you have a plan, how do you take it to the next level and go for your Certificate of Recognition (COR)? What are the impacts and benefits of having a more effective plan or being COR certified? All these questions are important to stepping forward and making a case for better OH&S in your workplace. This group of presenters will represent the property management and supplier side of commercial real estate, a certifying partner, and a government compliance representative. The group will go in depth about what is required and suggested for your OH&S plan and answer your questions about the next steps. Take away the information you need to get started!

FREE with seminar registration

Presenters:
Rob Feagan, Senior Manager of Partnerships in Injury Reduction, Alberta Employment and Immigration
Gregory Pfeiffer, Operations Supervisor, 20Vic Management
Carol Ross, Executive Director, Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships (AASP)
Barry Thatcher, Regional Manager, GE Water Technologies Inc.

Biographies: [more] [less]

204 – Exploiting Chaos: How to Spark Innovation During Times of Change

Exploiting Chaos is a beginning-to-end exploration of how to leverage viral trends and methodical innovation to generate breakthrough ideas. This presentation is visually engaging, packed with vivid examples and multimedia, and will provide opportunity for audience participation. Jeremy begins with importance of culture and customer obsession. He then enthralls the audience with captivating micro-trends, providing a toolkit to filter ideas down to “clusters of inspiration”. Finally, he teaches the audience how to articulate their messages for viral infection.

Speaker:
Jeremy Gutsche, MBA, CFA

Biography: [more] [less]
Jeremy Gutsche is an innovation expert, host of Trend Hunter TV, “one of North America’s most requested keynote speakers”, and the founder of TrendHunter.com, the world’s largest network for trend spotting and innovation. He has written several thousand articles and overseen the publication of 30,000+ trends for an audience of 7,000,000+ monthly views. He has been described as “a new breed of trend spotter” by The Guardian, “an eagle eye” by Global TV, an “Oracle” by the Globe and Mail and “on the forefront of cool” by MTV.
At age 28, he was one of Capital One’s youngest Business Directors and innovation leads. With a relentless focus on innovation, he led his team to grow a $1 billion portfolio of market leading products. Prior to Capital One, Jeremy advised top-level strategy to Fortune 50 and government clients as a Management Consultant at the Monitor Group. Jeremy studied innovation at Stanford, holds an MBA from Queen’s University, is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and graduated as a Chancellor Scholar from The University of Calgary.
From audiences of 4,000 people to the homes of billionaires, Jeremy has inspired innovation around the world. With a contagious enthusiasm, he teaches about viral trends and a cutting edge approach to methodical innovation. With a background in management consulting and Web 2.0, Jeremy brings a rare perspective on how to unleash innovation within a business context.

Testimonials:
IIDEX/NeoCon: “He was one of the most well-received keynote presenters we’ve ever had and we continue to get rave reviews on his presentation a year later.”
Editor-in-Chief of Hospitality Design noted, “Jeremy was very well received for his humor, acuity and awareness. Spot on. Highly recommended.”
Tourism British Columbia: “The highlight of the conference.”
Canadian Tourism blog: “His presentation has been the best yet.”

205 – Case Study: The Bow

session sponsored by

The $1 billion+ Bow office tower project will be the tallest building in Canada west of Toronto. A team from Ledcor will provide an insightful presentation on the following aspects of this project:

• challenges associated with constructing such a project in a congested urban area and the unique organization of client, developer and constructor that has responded to changes in the economic climate
• an overview of the project planning and constructability issues that have informed the construction process
• 3D design tools to describe the complex and unique erection procedures for both the below grade areas and the tower erection.
• the challenges of maintaining Ledcor’s reputation for safety on a project of this scale
• the approach to quality management required for the project

Presenters:
Ken Boucher, Director, Ledcor Construction Limited
Brian Palmquist, Director of Quality Assurance, Ledcor Construction Limited
Bob Scott, Senior Project Director, Ledcor Construction Limited

Biographies: [more] [less]

206 – What Are They Thinking? Understanding the Generations at Work

Many leaders are juggling the needs and wants of four generations of employees at work. Getting a handle on how to manage the diversity of generational differences can seem daunting at first glance, yet this information is key to retention and engagement of employees with special emphasis on Gen Y, the newest members of our workforce.

Session Goals:

• Increase knowledge and understanding of the four generations in today’s workforce
• Share ideas on how to motivate and retain great employees from all generations
• Gain insight into how to constructively work with individuals from among the various generations to prepare and retain leaders

Presenter:
Gail Daniels, MA, CEC, Kesa Inc.

Biography:
Gail Daniels is an executive coach, facilitator and consultant with kesa; an Alberta based organizational development company that supports organizations in shaping change. She is a highly skilled coach, consultant and facilitator who brings a unique set of skills to kesa based on over 25 years of experience in leadership, program development, conflict resolution and education. [more] [less]

207 – Building Integrated Renewable Energy Systems

The next biggest design challenge for our built environment is to become self sufficient. If we really are going to achieve “sustainable “ buildings, then our buildings need to start making some of our energy through wind turbines, solar hot water, photovoltaics and other technologies. There are many challenges to building integrated renewable energy systems becoming an everyday reality, including technical, bureaucratic, economic and misinformation. This presentation will help you understand the main issues surrounding these challenges, and how to tackle them to start to understand strategies for maximizing the ability of buildings to contribute to power generation and lowering carbon emissions.

Presenter:
Matt Grace, Division Head, Calgary Office, Enermodal Engineering

Biography: [more] [less]

Matt Grace is a Chartered Environmentalist and a Professional Engineer with 15 years of experience in sustainable building design and assessment.  Following degrees in Engineering and Energy and Environmental Studies, Matt started his professional career working on the environmental performance of buildings with a renowned architectural practice in London, England.  This was followed by four years at the Building Research Establishment (BRE) where he researched energy efficiency in buildings, building and city integrated renewable energy systems, and played a major role in the technical development of BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method).  Matt brings a holistic approach to energy in buildings, understanding the relationship between good building design and the implementation of the latest technologies to produce the best results. He has experience of a wide range of building sectors and including commercial, healthcare, municipal, industrial and institutional.  Matt moved from the UK to Calgary in 2007, from where he runs the Western Canada operations of Enermodal Engineering, Canada’s most successful green building consultancy firm.

208 – Are Green Buildings Healthy Buildings?

Concerns about indoor air quality (IAQ) in commercial buildings first surfaced in the mid-1970s. IAQ problems were then associated with misdirected efforts to reduce energy use in buildings. Now in the new millennium the real estate and development industries are once again faced with a significant energy management challenge. This time the focus of attention is on energy conservation and efficiency to mitigate the disparity between growing demand and declining supply of conventional sources; and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reverse the effects of Climate Change. We are in the midst a massive paradigm shift toward “green” innovations in design and construction. To accomplish this, there’s been a rapid adoption of green building certification systems for both new and existing buildings.

But are all green buildings healthy buildings? This question will be addressed through the eyes of an architect, and engineer and an environmental specialist.

Presenters:
Albert Bicol, Partner, Cobalt Engineering
Max Richter, Intern Architect, Stantec

Biographies: [more] [less]

209 – Real Estate Outlook: Calgary in Transition

With the rapid changes in Calgary over only a few years, a number of issues have arisen in the real estate industry. This panel comprised of experts from the office, industrial, retail and multi-unit residential classes will discuss the investment/market volatility and the new development environment, and will look at where and how we can grow from here.

Points to be discussed include:

• Investment market volatility
• anticipated 20% vacancy rates in commercial space starting in 2010
• how current conditions and the economy have affected investment decisions
• implications of the municipal development plan and new transportation plan
• population growth, infrastructure development
• the industry’s perspective on new construction and renovations
• the implications of sites being abandoned
• other key issues that may arise closer to the time of this session.

Moderator:
Bill Partridge, Executive Vice President, BOMA Calgary

Panelists:
Office: Chris Howard, Principal, Howco REC (affiliated with Avison Young Commercial Real Estate)
Retail: Mike Kehoe, Owner, Fairfield Commercial
Industrial: Iain Ferguson, Associate Vice President, Industrial Sales, CB Richard Ellis Alberta Limited

Biographies: [more] [less]

Mike Kehoe
Michael Kehoe is the Broke of Fairfield Commercial Real Estate Inc. a commercial real estate brokerage specializing in retail real estate. Mr. Kehoe has thirty five years experience in the shopping centre and commercial real estate industry as a real estate broker, leasing representative, mall manager and marketing director. Mr. Kehoe has extensive senior level experience with national and regional shopping centre development firms striking out on his own in 1991 with the formation of Fairfield Commercial. Mr. Kehoe is based in Calgary, Alberta and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centres and the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres  and the.
Gerson Lehrman Group Councils a global network of professionals who deliver expertise and decision – making assistance to business, government and investment leaders around the world.”

Iain Ferguson
Iain Ferguson is Vice-President of Industrial Properties with CB Richard Ellis Calgary. Iain’s high level of energy and attention to detail has won him many high profile assignments in both the disposition and Tenant representation spheres. Iain became in 2008 CB Richard Ellis’s youngest Canadian Vice President and has developed a reputation as one of the top Commercial Industrial Real Estate Specialists in Calgary. During his tenure at CB Richard Ellis, Mr. Ferguson has negotiated in excess of $175,000,000 worth of Commercial transactions.

210 – Hiding Technology

Home electronics should integrate seamlessly into a home’s design and décor. This course reviews the three-pronged approach to hiding technology—advance planning, design philosophy, and product selection—which are available for minimizing the visual impact of electronics without compromising performance. Specific challenges and recommendations related to hiding video displays, projectors, speakers, controls, cameras, and equipment racks—among others—will be addressed. This course speaks to innovative and creative ways to lessen the visual impact of electronics by making them low-profile, hidden or camouflaged, or even invisible!

At the end of this seminar, learners will be able to:

• Identify different types of residential systems
• Discuss how advanced planning, design philosophy, and product selection affect your project
• List a variety of methods and strategies for hiding technology

Speaker:
Marilyn Sanford, CEO, La Scala Home Cinema + Integrated Media, Board Director, CEDIA

Biography: Marilyn is a professional accountant. Having worked for a large multi-national company for over 15 years, she started a custom electronics installation firm in early 1992. In 1993, Marilyn co-founded Smart fx. Over eight years, the company grew to 10 people and became a leading custom installation firm in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In 2000, Smart fx merged with La Scala, creating the largest custom firm in Western Canada, and one of the largest in Canada. Marilyn is CEO of La Scala, a founding member and past president of CEDIA Canada, and she also sits on the Board of Directors for CEDIA.

211 – Biomimicry in the Human-Built Environment

“After 3.8 billion years of research and development, failures are fossils, and what surrounds us is the secret to survival” – Biomimicry Guild

Is Sustainability truly definable in the built environment? Biomimicry functions simultaneously as science & design methodology, to consciously emulate Nature’s Genius. Through case studies and Kevin’s experience in applying Biomimicry to commercial, interior and residential built projects, he will present how Biomimicry can reconstruct the built environment to become Mutually enhancing for human and our co-resident species, i.e., to create conditions conducive to life, through the creation of Ecological Performance Standards.
The presentation focuses on how to emulate Life’s Deep Practices in the human-built environment, to develop a designer’s and builder’s functional ecoliteracy of Nature as Mentor, Model and Measure. While no predominantly human (i.e., Anthropogenic) system, standard or definition of sustainability is ultimately sustainable, human standards can be redrawn to reflect Life’s Deep Principles & Practices. Kevin will discuss how life’s design and building standards take form as Ecological Performance Standards — functional, practical, measurable performance metrics such as Managing Water as the Northern Forest.

Presenter:
Kevin Stack, BaDT (Biologist at the Design Table) Biomimicry Speakers Guild, LEED Faculty, Northeast Green Building Consulting LLC

Biography: [more] [less]

212 – Conflict Resolution: Building Relationships through Structured Conversation

Much of the work we do is in conversation. The quality of these conversations has a tremendous impact on the quality of relationships and the success of a project. Conflict is often the result of a missing piece of information. This seminar will provide you with the tools to structure your conversations for change, and keep your projects on track. You will gain:

• Some preventative medicine for the unexpected disputes that can derail a project
• Valuable insight into managing relationships inside your organization and out
• Practical tools for empowering others to resolve conflict
• Skills for effective speaking and listening

Presenter:
Nancy Love, PhD President and Founder, The PULSE Institute

Biography: [more] [less]

213 – What to Do With All This Stuff? Waste Diversion for Renovations and Interiors

Sustainable design is becoming more common in the interior design industry. Buildings are a major source of greenhouse gases and efforts are being made to reduce their impact. Waste reduction is one major component of the environmental impact from buildings, during construction, renovations and regular operations. So what is the role of interior designers to manage waste and improve recycling? ‘Closing the loop’ by designing with recycling content products or recyclable materials has been discussed, but who’s responsibility is it to manage the waste? Designers, contractors, or the client? And where can this stuff go in Calgary to be reused and recycled? This session will cover all of these questions and more.

Presenter:
Sarah Begg, Manager, Commercial Environmental Services, Clean Calgary Association

Biography: [more] [less]

Sarah is originally from Burlington, Ontario. She graduated from Brock University in 1999 and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Geology. Sarah lived in Victoria, BC for a couple of years working as a marine biology field researcher, finding her niche in the environmental sector. She then moved to Calgary to begin her career in the non-profit sector, where she acquired a position at Clean Calgary Association. Sarah has been the program manager of the Commercial Environmental Service program for the past 5 ½ years. Her work with this program has expanded the reach to help companies city-wide to change their behaviour and perception of waste and divert waste from landfill. The program has been the recipient of an Emerald Award, a Calgary Award and an RCA R’s of Excellence Award. Sarah has found her calling with this position as a true ‘dumpster diver’.

214 – Project Management: Troubleshooting and Managing Project Risks

(Please note that this session builds on concepts presented in the Introductory Project Management session presented in the morning.)

Effective project management includes the ability to anticipate and forestall problems that could derail your project. The project manager’s success is often linked to his or her ability and skill in managing risk and minimizing the impact of changes to both the project scope and product scope. Usually this ability is developed and the skills honed only through prolonged exposure to the project management environment. This course will give you a head start at developing the necessary trouble-shooting skills you need.

You will learn:

• The key elements of the Project Management Body of Knowledge, and how to use them as a tool for tracking and monitoring the health of a project;
• The six detailed processes critical to effective risk management;
• The most effective strategies and techniques to use to avoid problems and mitigate risk;
• What to look for and what questions to ask to get a true picture of the status of your projects(s).

Presenter:
Doug Land, Program Director, Western Canada, Masters Certificate in Project Management, Schulich Executive Education Centre, Schulich School of Business, York University

Biography: Doug is currently Senior Vice President with the Atocrates Project Management Group and teaches Project Management in a variety of settings, including corporate and academic. He also teaches Procurement and Contract Management throughout British Columbia, Canada, to provincial government procurement specialists. [more] [less]

216 – Building Quiet Environments

In today’s hectic and fast-paced world, homeowners need and want a space that is peaceful and tranquil — a quiet environment where they can relax and enjoy their home without noisy interruptions. This course outlines the fundamentals of sound control and gives examples of noise pollution affecting today’s society. Participants will discuss key principles related to sound isolation and the “why, what, and how” components associated with controlling sound. Construction materials and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing considerations will also be discussed, while the participant is guided through the step-by-step process of building a specialty room.

At the end of this seminar, learners will be able to…

• Define the fundamentals of sound
• Explain common terms related to sound proofing and isolation
• Describe the “Why, What, How” components of controlling sound
• Identify construction components used in controlling sound
• Identify Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) considerations
• Outline the design of a specialty room

Speaker:
Marilyn Sanford, CEO, La Scala Home Cinema + Integrated Media, Board Director, CEDIA

Biography: Marilyn is a professional accountant. Having worked for a large multi-national company for over 15 years, she started a custom electronics installation firm in early 1992. In 1993, Marilyn co-founded Smart fx. Over eight years, the company grew to 10 people and became a leading custom installation firm in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In 2000, Smart fx merged with La Scala, creating the largest custom firm in Western Canada, and one of the largest in Canada. Marilyn is CEO of La Scala, a founding member and past president of CEDIA Canada, and she also sits on the Board of Directors for CEDIA.

217 – Case Study: Art Gallery of Alberta

The new Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton, crafted of patinaed zinc, high performance glazing, and stainless steel, will bring a new architectural vitality to the city’s urban core. Realized through a rigorous collaboration between the architect, construction manager, engineers, and specialized fabricators, the project is a dynamic example of the potential of integrated digital technologies and craftsmanship in architecture today. Focused on relating both the successes and challenges of the design and construction team, the presentation will illustrate various links between digital design, construction, and manufacturing processes.

Attendees will be introduced to 21st century design and construction techniques used to create the distinctive architecture of the Art Gallery of Alberta and to the linkage between digital design, construction, the CNC (computer numerically controlled) manufacturing process, and digital field survey/measurements throughout all project phases. They can learn about techniques and practices that promote innovation, especially the relationship between the digital technologies and building craftsmanship. Computer technologies and software used during design, systems coordination, fabrication and installation will be discussed. In addition, presenters will look at how new technologies are changing.

Presenters:
Don Delaney, Engineering Manager, Flynn Canada Ltd.
Thorsten Gaul, P.Eng., Vice President and General Manager, Empire Iron Works Ltd.
Trevor Messal, Project Manager, Ledcor Construction
Manzer Mirkar, Architectural Technologist, Randall Stout Architects, Inc.
Randall Stout, FAIA, President/Lead Designer
Tom Zahner, Project Manager, A. Zahner Company

Biographies: [more] [less]

218 – Transformation: When Creative Thinking Meets Business Strategy

Transformation and innovation are probably two of the most commonly spoken words in business strategy today. But perhaps business strategy as a process needs it’s own transformation. As Albert Einstein said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So the question becomes how can businesses find innovation and experience true transformation if they continue to rely upon the same old methods of strategic planning? Linear analytical thinking yields quick but limited outcomes that are usually not game changers, whereas abstract thinking takes you to places you never imagined and provides alternatives that re-invent, re-design and re-position products, services and for real growth. Join Chris Bedford, President of Karo Group as he explores new perspectives on planning processes that challenge conventional wisdom by applying creative thinking to business to generate transformational ideas and outcomes.

Presenter:
Chris Bedford, President & CEO, Karo Group

Biography: A skilled communicator and strategic thinker, Chris has helped clients in from a wide range of industries focus and streamline their brand stories. [more] [less]

After graduating in 1983 with an Honours degree in Marketing from the University of Manitoba, Chris joined McKim Advertising in Winnipeg as an Account Manager. Within five years, he was appointed the youngest ever Vice-President in the firm’s 100-year history. In 1988, Chris left McKim to accept the position of Vice-President, Sales and Marketing for Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Banff. In 1989 Chris rejoined McKim Advertising as Vice-President and General Manager of the Calgary office. In 1992, when McKim and Baker Lovick were merged by BBDO, New York, Chris was promoted to Senior Vice-President, Director of Client Services of MBL/BBDO. He left the firm in 1993 to form his own company. In 1994, Chris joined Karo became a shareholder in Karo Calgary and two years later was appointed President.

219 – Solar Applications, Deregulation and Accessibility

Depletion of fossil fuels along with the resulting higher prices has stimulated interest in alternative forms of energies. This presentation describes the experiences in designing, building and operating solar heating systems in Canada with a focus on Alberta applications. It also reviews some of the past concepts that has not worked and those that are still successful today and is being applied to building across Canada.

Innovations in solar technologies and applications have made the use of solar energy more practical; have longer service life and with low maintenance. The deregulation of energy pricing is timely and will level the playing field that previously favoured fossil fuels to the detriment of renewable energies.

Presenter:
Dr. Tang Lee, Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary

Biography: Tang Lee began designing solar heating systems in 1975, and in 1979 he formed the Calgary chapter of the Solar Energy Society of Canada. [more] [less]

He teaches building science, indoor air quality, sustainable design, mechanical and civil engineering at several universities in Canada and abroad. He is on several committees of Health Canada, National Research Council of Canada and Canadian Standards Association. He is qualified as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases due to his reputation as an academic, architect and builder. Tang Lee designs healthy and sustainable buildings as well as planning sustainable communities. Tang Lee is also fish farmer raising tropical fish for consumption and where the waste water is used in a hydroponics greenhouse.