Conference Program - Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Co-presented by

200 - Six Things that Contractors Always Ask

In his lively and humourous way, industry expert Charles Vander Kooi addresses six of the most common questions that have been asked of him over the last 4 decades as a result of speaking to 200,000 contractors.

1. How should I organize my company?
2. How should I deal with Lowballers?
3. How much growth is good?
4. How do I keep in control?
5. Do I get the people first -- or the work?
6. When should I keep, or sell equipment?

AAA = 1.5 credits (PENDING APPROVAL)

201 - Building Envelope Failures in Alberta: Lessons Learned

Sponsored by

The presentation will outline 3 - 5 case studies from high-rise, low-rise, commercial and residential construction failures. We will look at building envelope failures in terms of what was found and their corresponding causes. It is important for the attendees to see not only how the failure manifested itself, but the sequence of events that resulted in the failure. The goal is to improve the construction process by learning from past failures.

AAA = 1.5 Self-reported

203 - Acoustics: Proper Planning and Design for the Ideal Acoustic Environment

One of the most important factors in building and interior design is to provide an environment in which people can perform at their optimum level. From an acoustics perspective, low absorptive materials with a lot of hard surfaces, chilled slabs and radiant heating systems in buildings can become problematic. Based on the CBE study in 2005, over 60 percent of occupants in cubicles think acoustics interfere with their ability to get their job done. Acoustical problems in working environments caused employees distraction, stress, and interference with normal work routine. By following some design guidelines we can create the ideal acoustic environment. These guidelines are not independent so we need to consider them at all stages including architectural, mechanical and electrical planning. In this presentation, basic noise concepts as well as some general noise issues in buildings will be reviewed. Since correcting noise problems after construction costs much more than addressing the potential problems at the design stage, some tips for architectural, mechanical and electrical design will be presented. Design guidance to control the acoustical problems after design will also be presented.

AAA = 1.5 Core

204 - 2006 Alberta Building Code, Division B, Part 3 (Commercial Buildings): Recent Changes and an Overview

The latest version of the Alberta Building Code is in-force in Alberta as of September 2, 2007. Part 3 of the Alberta Building Code 2006 includes a number of technical changes from the Alberta Building Code 1997. This session will familiarize the participants with some of the more important technical changes in Part 3.

AAA = 2.0 Core

Co-presented by

205 - Negotiating

Most people only think about negotiating a job when you talk about negotiating. Yet, they negotiate every day with their employees, existing job owners and even with their family members. In this presentation, Charles Vander Kooi will show you how to take negotiating from the usual adversarial relationship to methods of arriving at win/win situations. To be covered:

• How We Have Been Doing It, But Shouldn’t Have
• A Better Way: Getting to Agreements Without Giving In
• The Four Principles to Negotiating

AAA = 1.5 Self-reported

206 - Mould & Moisture Management in Alberta

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

AAA = 1.5 Core

207 - Sustainable Concrete Building Practices: Precast Concrete and LEED Credits

Precast concrete can help achieve LEED certification for structures in a variety of ways, including: durable long life structures, the ability of concrete to be recycled, local manufacturing capability and the use of waste materials. These attributes help reduce the expended energy needed to manufacture, transport and erect precast structures -- key LEED requirements. Other key benefits come from precast concrete’s reusable potential, construction waste management capabilities and reduced site environmental impacts.

AAA = 1.5 Core

208 - Sustainable Lighting Design

Sponsored by

Learn what is considered state of the art in energy efficient lighting and how you can reduce energy use and power costs by 75%. Without carefully planning, anyone can cut energy consumption by 50% and achieve poor lighting results. Learn how you can create an improved lighting environment, make a major impact with significant CO2 reductions, and achieve increased property value for your shareholders, even if your tenants pay the power bills.

AAA = 1.5 Self-reported

209 - Setting the Record Straight! The Myths and Facts of Green Roofs

Green roof technology offers multiple environmental and economic benefits to urban areas such as improvement in energy efficiency, membrane durability, stormwater management and biodiversity. It is rapidly gaining popularity in North America as a sustainable design option in the construction industry.

AAA = 1 Self-reported

Co-presented by

210 - People Management

It takes a certain type of person to be able to motivate and effectively manage others. In this program, Charles Vander Kooi draws from over 36 years of experience as an upper management employee, consultant and professional lecturer to share his expertise on the broad subject of People Management. In it, he talks about the good employee who has gone bad, the 4 different personalities needed in business, communication with suppliers/contractors, and many other topics that are vital to effectively running a company.

• Motivating Employees
• Bonus Systems (good, bad and ugly)
• Employees with Bad Attitudes and How to Deal with Them
• Four Personalities that Exist in a Business
• The Baby Boomer Phenomena
• De-Mystifying Total Quality Management
• A ttitudes that Cost You Money

AAA = 3.5 Self-reported

211 - 2006 Alberta Building Code, Division B, Part 9 (Small Buildings): Recent Changes and an Overview

The latest version of the Alberta Building Code is in-force in Alberta as of September 2, 2007. Part 9 of the Alberta Building Code 2006 includes a number of technical changes from the Alberta Building Code 1997 as well as an objective based format. This session will familiarize the participants with some of the more important technical changes in Part 9.

AAA = 2.0 Core

212 - Energy Consumption in Buildings: Why So High, and What Can Be Done to Reduce It?

Sponsored by

Buildings consume a very high percentage of all energy consumption in Canada. While new buildings are being built to be more energy efficient there is still much to be done in reducing wasted or misused energy.

This session will explore the problems inherent in coping with energy consumption and review some of the solutions being used today in new buildings. New technologies in building envelope science and heating/cooling plant design will be covered.

Older buildings will also be looked at and the challenges faced by owners and building operators in these buildings will be discussed. Solutions in existing buildings can be as simple as scheduling of equipment, retrofits to equipment or as large as a whole scale re-cladding project to replace the entire exterior skin of the building.

AAA = 1.5 Self-reported

213 - Sustainable Construction Practices: Wood from Pine Beetle Killed Forests. Does It Measure Up?

Emergency management, business continuity, pandemic planning: these are some of the new buzz words of an emerging business focus. Are you prepared for an emergency? Preparation is no longer limited to evacuation routes and muster points but contingencies and procedures that are developed and practiced to allow you clients to maintain their faith and confidence in your operations and ability to respond and provide leadership in the event of you are required to manage and mitigate a tenant disruption in the event of a building failure. What will be the expectations of your tenants? What tools can you use? The discussion will focus on these areas.

AAA = 1.5 Self-reported