The first half of May offers those in the construction industry a unique opportunity to learn and grow. With both the Cold Climate Construction Conference and the Sustainability Building Symposium there is something for everyone in the industry to learn.
“As we transition to a more buoyant marketplace the lessons learned from the last time need to be revisited and both of these events are based around people and process,” says Paul Verhesen, the president of Clark Builders.
”Whether it’s productivity or building technology or just lessons learned we can only get better from it. This week long opportunity to learn shouldn’t be missed.”
The Cold Climate Construction Conference takes place May 16 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. A recommended event for managers, planners, developers and suppliers there are some intriguing breakout sessions as well. Get all of the details here.
“Winter happens every year, guaranteed,” says Paul Verhesen. “It’s not like you can avoid it.”
The 14th Annual Alberta Sustainable Building Symposium is at the Edmonton Expo Centre on May 10 and at the BMO Centre in Calgary on May 11. With a technology showcase, dozens of exhibitors, breakout sessions and a powerful keynote speaker this should be another can’t miss event for the sustainability minded construction professional.
Details on the Sustainable Building Symposium can be found here for Calgary and here for Edmonton.
Of note for the productivity crowd there are two specific breakout sessions to recommend.
Graham Harris of Stantec will deliver a talk called “Manufacturing Green”. It will try to answer the question; Can improved energy efficiency actually improve Alberta industries’ competitiveness in the global marketplace? The Energy Efficiency Assessment development project was conducted in late 2010 to develop an incentive for goods-producing SMEs to undertake energy efficiency assessments and, later, implement energy efficiency projects.
This session will outline the research results and recommendations for the incentive program. If you’re interested in implementing an efficiency program and want to know more about the economic incentives attached, check this presentation out.
Dan Cloutier of Cummins Power Ecosystems will be presenting “No Alternative to Efficiency”
This presentation will paint the picture of our current energy use, how to maximize your resources in the short term – and how to leverage available technologies in the future.
With these opportunities be sure take the time to stretch your legs, meet some new people, get some networking and learn.
“That feeling of “doing it like you’ve always done it” is a powerful one,” says Verhesen. “Some of the value here is opening your mind and exposing yourself to new ways of thinking. It will be a good week.”
