CCA Conference Sessions
Canadian Construction Association's (CCA) annual conference program offers great opportunities for professional development and interacting with your peers. The 2012 CCA conference sessions consist of 15 business and general interest sessions built around the conference's theme "The Changing Face of Construction".
Improving Project Performance
Increased owners’ satisfaction and improved contractors’ profitability are goals shared by all construction leaders. A panel of industry experts will share their thoughts and knowledge on how these goals can be achieved. Topics to be discussed include: techniques for avoiding claims and disputes, issues related to project time management, how the use of project-neutral consultants can assist in the timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes, and tips for effective presentation of claims in order to expedite settlements.
Sponsored by Revay & Associates
Emerging Issues in Construction Law
This session will engage in audience-selected hot topics in construction law with regional considerations. Emerging issues in various areas of construction law will be covered, for example new integrated project delivery methods, changes in legislation to implement government policy and financial implications, security priority issues in respect to construction funds, equipment and other construction project assets, various issues arising from new P3 models and from existing projects, as well as the ongoing development of new public procurement processes. These and many other current and relevant legal topics selected by the attendees will be explored by a panel of legal experts and through audience participation.
Sponsored by Borden Ladner Gervais
Historic Savannah
Our three panellists - a local tour guide, a historian and the Director of the Andrew Low House - will focus this session on the history of Savannah, its historic homes, their preservation and the extensive research required to complete historically-accurate renovations. Through these presenters’ wide range of knowledge, attendees will gain a better understanding of the scope of undertaking preservation and renovation projects and will be better prepared to visit the three historic homes on Tuesday’s outing.
Changing Face of Construction: How to Adapt?
The pace of change in the construction industry is at an all-time high. Compounded with the significant amount of trends taking place all at once, it is surely keeping our leaders awake at night. How to adapt, find a niche, innovate or stay ahead of the game are the questions that a panel of industry leaders will be addressing during this session. Here are a few of the trends that will be discussed: P3s, Integrated Project Delivery, Lean Construction, project financing, BIM, collaborative tools, labour shortages, succession planning and foreign competition.
Cutting-edge Technology in the B2B Environment
We are at the beginning of a new era where B2B applications will all be handled electronically and in ways never seen before. Whether it is for your communications, transactions, and reporting requirements; or for your health and safety monitoring, productivity assessment, and data management (workflow); or for the handling of your design, bidding, and contract closing procedures, a solution awaits. This interactive session will explore a new world of technologies that will surely peak your curiosity and expand your horizons.
What to Do When $@!# Hits the Fan? Communicating in a Crisis
Although Canadian construction companies do millions of dollars in business every year, many are not prepared to face the media if they become involved in a crisis, such as a worksite fatality or other controversial issues. In this session crisis communicator Grant Ainsley will talk about why it is vitally important to have a communications policy that everyone in the company understands and buys into. This session will explain how social media has increased one’s chances of getting into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons and covers how companies should act if they get into a communications crisis. Remember: being responsible, honest and real will take you much further than any media spinning.
Speaker: Grant Ainsley, President, Grant Ainsley Inc.
Sponsored by Western Surety Company
What Does It Mean for Canada? The International Economic Situation and Outlook
Export Development Canada Chief Economist and Vice-President Peter Hall is back once again to provide his keen insights into the current global economic situation and outlook and what it all means for Canada. Is true recovery coming in 2012 or will we still be mired in a post-stimulus, pre-recovery transition? What are the threats and key indicators? Can the Canadian economy grow and thrive in a world in which the US economy remains weak?
Speaker: Peter Hall, Vice-President and Chief Economist, Export Development Canada
That’s Just Plain Rude - Modern Guidelines for Civility at Work
Everything we do as professionals impacts how we are perceived by our peers and customers. Knowing what the expectations are for presenting yourself appropriately is essential. Boosting your social competence and embedding civility into your workplace are among the best practices that can set your organization apart from the competition. Bring along your toughest workplace civility issue and join Canada’s leading civility expert Lew Bayer to learn about behavioural accountability, the costs of rudeness, and strategies for increasing civility at work.
Speaker: Lew Bayer, CEO, Civility Experts Worldwide
Solutions to Construction Labour Shortages
Where is the talent? This session will showcase innovative solutions that employers in the non-residential construction industry have created and implemented when confronted with a shortage of workers and sources of recruitment. It will feature the owner of a Manitoba-based construction company that experienced 14-fold revenue growth in four years after developing one of the most ambitious First Nations apprenticeship programs in Canada.
The challenge of finding skilled workers is a top priority for the industry. Widespread shortages of qualified workers persist for companies of all sizes and specialties, and directly impact competitiveness and capacity. Recent labour market information projects a shortage of 335,000 skilled construction workers, or roughly a quarter of the existing workforce, by 2019.
Trends in Construction Delivery Processes
The changes occurring in the global market affect our construction delivery processes. The increasing use of construction management, design-build and P3 are examples of a significant shift of the construction buyers’ strategy and attitude towards risk-sharing, integrated services and innovative finance solutions. The transition from the popular design-bid-build process can be difficult and requires different relationships and approaches. Also, the use of new technology, such as BIM, and the outsourcing of project management services can significantly drive the built environment. All this can translate into increased opportunities for contractors seeking expanded services and rewards.
A panel of experts representing owners, contractors, and insurance/surety/legal advisors will offer their perspective on trends in construction delivery processes. They will address “transitioning” issues and give you some tips and ideas on how to seize market opportunities and get ahead of the industry curve.
BIM: What Contractors Need to Know
In 2010, CCA took the lead in establishing a multi-stakeholder group, the Institute for BIM in Canada (IBC), to be the voice of BIM in Canada. IBC’s mandate is to lead and facilitate the coordinated use of BIM in the design, construction, and management of the Canadian built environment. IBC focuses on issues that matter to contractors and practitioners wanting to integrate BIM in their practices, namely: roles and responsibilities, risk, nomenclature, standards, interoperability, and contract language. This panel session will present new information that will be useful to anyone interested in BIM as current or potential users.
Doing It Right – Succession Planning
The succession process is a different experience for every business. Some will consider acquisitions, others mergers or even drastic corporate shake-ups or restructuring. The role of family members, depending on the business, can also be a major consideration. In this session, learn about various succession options, hear business leaders’ experiences, and get expert feedback on your own succession planning questions.
Building Cultural Competence
In today’s environment, the organizations that flourish are the ones that bridge the cultural gap between themselves and their clients, as well as foster the intercultural competence of their employees. This informative, entertaining and interactive session will provide participants with a greater understanding of how culture impacts their success, personal and organizational, in the workplace. During this session the participants will develop an understanding of the challenges of working across cultures, understand some of the dimensions of culture, and how they appear in the workplace, as well as learn about challenges and strategies for fostering respect and promoting inclusion.
Speaker: John Dorland, Senior Associate, Graybridge Malkam
Smooth over the Potholes – How to Effectively Manage Your Workload and Priorities
We are constantly stressed and out of control due to the demands on our time and energy. We are inundated with an overwhelming workload of projects, deadlines and administration. Learn how to deal with the right tasks and people that will lead you to your objectives. Streamline your information management, projects and processes so you can leave at the end of a day with a feeling of accomplishment. During this session the participants will learn how to establish and recognize priorities, eliminate unproductive habits, manage and control workload and conflicting demands, as well as streamline systems and processes.
Speaker: Ann Max, President, Productive to the Max
Construction Economic Outlook
While storm clouds remain on the horizon for many of the world’s largest economies, Canadians remain relatively optimistic about the country’s economic future. Over the decade ahead, many economists believe Canada will outperform most of its traditional trading partners, in part due to overwhelming international demand for Canadian energy, minerals and other natural resources. What impact will this growth have on construction and how will this affect your business? Join us for answers to these and other important economic questions.
Speaker: Mark Casaletto, Vice President and General Manager, Reed Construction Data Canada
