Look at the Future
Join us for SICA's 23rd Annual CCO Workshop
Feb 8th, 2024
The CCO Workshop is a one-day conference hosted by the Southern Interior Construction Association. CCO stands for Contractors, Consultants and [Public] Owners, representing the important relationship that each of the parties brings to the table of a construction project. The CCO Workshops goal is to facilitate open and transparent conversation between all parties in the construction industry. Understanding the obstacles and challenges of the contractors, consultants or owners helps facilitate smoother and more efficient construction projects.
The focal point of this year’s theme, “Look at the future” will center on crucial subjects pertinent to the construction industry both in the present and in the years ahead. The Southern Interior’s premier event, the Contractor Consultant Owner Workshop, serves as the largest platform for connecting stakeholders in the building industry. This workshop offers an optimal setting for fostering new collaborations and gaining valuable insights into the trends in capital procurement and project delivery through innovative ideas. Earn education units while expanding your understanding of managing risks. Distinguished guest speakers will delve into the evolving nature of project drawings. The CCO workshop will culminate in an eagerly awaited legal update, offering the latest information on Procurement Deliveries. Participants will also gain insights into the transformative impact of A.I. and other technologies on the construction landscape.
Continued Professional Development Credits:
- 1 Gold Seal Credit
Event Info: Helena (778) 721-8441
Date:
February, 8th 2024
7:00 am – 5:30 pm
Location:
Coast Capri Hotel
1171 Harvey Ave,
Kelowna, BC V1Y 6E8
The Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) is a non-profit membership organization representing the construction industry in the southern interior of British Columbia. SICA’s mission is to provide leadership and promote excellence for the benefit of our industry. Members are industry leaders who believe in promoting excellence in everything we do. Together our voice is changing the construction community and helping your business to grow. Join SICA to grow your business today and be a voice for our industry’s future.
SPEAKERS
ATTENDEES
SPONSORS
EXHIBITION TABLES
Schedule
Registration & Breakfast
Welcoming Comments
SICA’s CEO, Clifford Kshyk
Efficiency Unleashed: Navigating the Future with Generative AI and Digitization in Construction
Adam Asquini and Zach Smith – KPMG
If you’re losing sleep at night when you think about this topic, you are NOT alone. Many are in the same boat – worrying about all the ways they need to stay ahead, keep up to date, digitize, transform, integrate AI… innovate!
Especially in the current climate. A recent KPMG study of the Canadian Construction industry revealed that “The pandemic, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and the surge in material costs disrupted lives and business activity. In response to these challenges, many construction companies came to realize that investments in technology were needed to improve productivity, workflow inefficiencies, and worker safety.” Further, the survey found that despite this intense need, “only 13% of (construction industry) respondents feel that their company has realized full integration across their value chain from supplier to customer and 59% feel they are partially integrated.” Source: 2023 KPMG “Cue Construction 4.0 report”
- Join KPMG Tax Partner Zach Smith and Management Consulting Director Adam Asquini on February 8th to gain assurances that there are solutions available to help you and your construction business!
- They’ll review current AI, digital and tax trends within the construction industry and explain how you can optimize your operations and structure through an integrated and strategic approach to digitization.
Unraveling Risk: Navigating Supplementary Conditions in Construction Contracts
Katy Fairley – Industry Standards Practice Consultant
An exploration of risk management within the landscape of construction contracts and the often-overlooked world of Supplementary Conditions (SCs) in standard contracts such as CCDC and CCA 1.
We’ll break down key clauses affecting Owners, General Contractors, and Trade Contractors. Using real examples, we’ll explore the intentions behind these clauses and highlight potential challenges and risks that can affect collaboration and project outcomes.
Outcome: Gain a comprehensive understanding of supplementary conditions, empowering you to make informed decisions and reinforce your risk management strategies.
Network Break
Keynote Speaker - The Future-Ready Mind: Three Ways to Rethink the World for Resilience, Collaboration, and Innovation
Dr. Shimi Kang
We must prepare for the shifting realities of our dynamic times, including the three rising global trends of burnout, disconnection, and disruption. The solution is to rethink mindsets and methods of the past and develop the three key future-ready skills: resilience, connection, and innovation.
In this timely and interactive presentation, Dr. Shimi Kang — a leading neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and bestselling author — draws on the latest science to provide practical solutions and proven tools to mitigate society’s most pressing issues. The best part? These tools are based on brain science, thus applicable and accessible to all. Audiences will learn how to optimize their innate human intelligence system through three powerful, yet simple daily activities of:
- Downtime for better daily habits for mental health, wellbeing, and resilience
- Connection with others for better sense of belonging, community, and social skills.
- A play mindset for better adaptability, creativity, performance, and innovation.
Lunch
BCCA Update
Chris Atchison, President – BCCA
Panel Discussion - Ideal Project Outcomes with Better Drawings
Shawn Parkes, Michael Blackman, Andrew Stringer, Vicki Topping, Rick Fernandes, and Stuart Kamstra.
Even before tradespeople arrive on site, effort spent on design coordination and clarity are essential to a successful project. Construction drawings are the product of this work, and they are intended to clearly communicate the design intent. But how can we work together to encourage and incentivize time spent on design and drawing quality? A panel of local industry experts will discuss the factors that shape the design process and how we can work towards making construction drawings better suited to their intended purpose.
Networking Break
Legal Update - Knowing Your Rights and How to Use Them
Glenn Ackerley – WeirFoulds LLP
In this session, we will explore the critical relationship between what the courts are saying about contractual risks and liabilities and what those decisions mean for you and your contract. Based on this update, hear how best to identify contractual pitfalls, approach resolving disputes, and avoid costly claims and litigation.
Closing Remarks
Networking Reception
2024 Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker - The Future-Ready Mind: Three Ways to Rethink the World for Resilience, Collaboration, and Innovation
Dr. Shimi Kang
Session Information
We must prepare for the shifting realities of our dynamic times, including the three rising global trends of burnout, disconnection, and disruption. The solution is to rethink mindsets and methods of the past and develop the three key future-ready skills: resilience, connection, and innovation.
In this timely and interactive presentation, Dr. Shimi Kang — a leading neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and bestselling author — draws on the latest science to provide practical solutions and proven tools to mitigate society’s most pressing issues. The best part? These tools are based on brain science, thus applicable and accessible to all. Audiences will learn how to optimize their innate human intelligence system through three powerful, yet simple daily activities of:
- Downtime for better daily habits for mental health, wellbeing, and resilience
- Connection with others for better sense of belonging, community, and social skills.
- A play mindset for better adaptability, creativity, performance, and innovation.
Dr. Shimi Kang
SHIMI K KANG, M.D . is an award-winning, Harvard-trained psychiatrist, researcher, media expert, and international keynote speaker. She is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and #1 best-selling author of The Dolphin Parent and The Tech Solution : Creating Healthy Habits for Growing up in A Digital World. Dr. Kang is passionate about providing science- based tools that optimize the power of the human mind. She is the founder of Future-Ready Minds, Co-Founder of GET Sparky and host of the YouTube show Mental Wealth with Dr Shimi Kang .
She has received numerous honors including the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and YWCA Woman of Distinction Awards. Dr. Kang is most proud of receiving the Diamond Jubilee Medal for her years of outstanding community service and of being mom of 3 awesome & exhausting teenagers
Sessions
Session 1 - Efficiency Unleashed: Navigating the Future with Generative AI and Digitization in Construction
Session Information
If you’re losing sleep at night when you think about this topic, you are NOT alone. Many are in the same boat – worrying about all the ways they need to stay ahead, keep up to date, digitize, transform, integrate AI… innovate!
Especially in the current climate. A recent KPMG study of the Canadian Construction industry revealed that “The pandemic, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and the surge in material costs disrupted lives and business activity. In response to these challenges, many construction companies came to realize that investments in technology were needed to improve productivity, workflow inefficiencies, and worker safety.” Further, the survey found that despite this intense need, “only 13% of (construction industry) respondents feel that their company has realized full integration across their value chain from supplier to customer and 59% feel they are partially integrated.” Source: 2023 KPMG “Cue Construction 4.0 report”
- Join KPMG Tax Partner Zach Smith and Management Consulting Director Adam Asquini on February 8th to gain assurances that there are solutions available to help you and your construction business!
- They’ll review current AI, digital and tax trends within the construction industry and explain how you can optimize your operations and structure through an integrated and strategic approach to digitization.
Adam Asquini
Adam Asquini - Director, KPMG
Mr. Asquini is a Director at KPMG’s Management Consulting practice, based in Edmonton (AB), leading service delivery teams in Artificial Intelligence, Information Management and Data Analytics. He has 16 years of consulting and industry experience in digital transformation, information technology service delivery and applied artificial intelligence engagements.
He has successfully delivered several technology projects for mid-market to large enterprise clients in roles ranging from project manager to quality assurance lead across a variety of industries: public sector (federal, provincial and municipal), energy, forestry, financial services, supply chain and retail. Prior to joining KPMG Canada, Mr. Asquini was the Vice President, Customer Solutions at AltaML – an applied artificial intelligence company – and was responsible for the company’s delivery and account management functions. In this capacity he provided leadership as a Project Manager, Engagement Lead or Quality Assurance leader on over 100 applied artificial intelligence use cases across the Artificial Intelligence lifecycle.
Zach Smith
Zach Smith - Tax Partner, KPMG
Zach is a Tax Partner for KPMG’s Kelowna office. He has over 10 years experience specializing in tax efficient solutions for private companies and their shareholders, with a real passion for supporting family-run enterprises. Zach is passionate about taking an education-centered approach to his work that ensures all parties involved understand and agree on the solutions put forward.
Zach has extensive experience in providing Canadian tax compliance and advisory services to his clients. This includes Canadian partnerships and joint ventures, trusts, family-run corporations, and the integration with taxes of the individual beneficiaries of the corporate structure.
He specializes in advising clients on appropriate tax structuring to help generate future growth and to maximize shareholder value. This includes taking a proactive approach through consistent communication with his clients.
Zach has assisted clients with risk mitigation via corporate structuring, estate and succession planning, and efficient tax planning to maximize the capital available for use by the company and its shareholders. He has also provided annual updates on new and changing tax standards released via government budgets or other methods to our clients.
Session 2 - Unraveling Risk: Navigating Supplementary Conditions in Construction Contracts
Session Information
An exploration of risk management within the landscape of construction contracts and the often-overlooked world of Supplementary Conditions (SCs) in standard contracts such as CCDC and CCA 1.
We’ll break down key clauses affecting Owners, General Contractors, and Trade Contractors. Using real examples, we’ll explore the intentions behind these clauses and highlight potential challenges and risks that can affect collaboration and project outcomes.
Outcome: Gain a comprehensive understanding of supplementary conditions, empowering you to make informed decisions and reinforce your risk management strategies.
Katy Fairley
Fairley Strategies
Katy Fairley - Industry Standards Practices Consultant
Katy Fairley is an expert and adviser on topics related to project delivery, construction contracts and procurement best practices. She promotes and advocates for fair, open and transparent construction practices as Industry Standard Practices Consultant for the BC Construction Association (BCCA). Additionally, Katy works with public and private owners to improve project delivery by defining strategies and risk mitigation for procurement and contract administration. Previously, Katy was an owner and vice-president for a diversified general contractor and construction manager in southern BC. She served on the Board of Directors for multiple construction associations at a local, provincial and national level.
To contact Katy:
Cell: 778.350.3444 | katy.fairley@bccassn.com
Panel - Ideal Project Outcomes with Better Drawings
Session Information
Even before tradespeople arrive on site, effort spent on design coordination and clarity are essential to a successful project. Construction drawings are the product of this work, and they are intended to clearly communicate the design intent. But how can we work together to encourage and incentivize time spent on design and drawing quality? A panel of local industry experts will discuss the factors that shape the design process and how we can work towards making construction drawings better suited to their intended purpose.
Andrew Stringer
Andrew Stringer - Falcon Engineering
Andrew is a principal and mechanical engineer at Falcon Engineering, with 18 years experience designing building mechanical systems. In his role, which is split between managing the mechanical team and practicing as a senior engineer, he has had plenty of opportunities to see firsthand how effective coordination and excellent communication have a positive influence on a building project’s construction and lifecycle outcomes. Andrew is an enthusiastic and active member of the construction community who believes that collaboration and strong interpersonal relationships form the foundations of the most high-performing design and construction teams.
Michael Blackman
Michael Blackman - RJC Architects
Michael Blackman BASc, P.Eng., FEC, LEED® AP | Regional Manager, Principal – RJC Engineers
Michael leads RJC’s Kelowna office and is a member of RJC’s Board of Directors. A strong commitment to professional conduct, local engagement and mentorship makes Michael a valuable part of RJC’s leadership team. He communicates well with clients, colleagues and contractors alike and inspires collaboration. He strives to understand the big picture goals of his clients, while leveraging the expertise and experience of a design team.
Michael approaches project management with a keen interest in the personal relationships and the experience of the team. His diverse background with building projects includes health care, recreational facilities, schools, retail facilities and airports through to commercial and residential mid- to high-rise facilities. His projects include plaza and pool restorations in Kelowna, Kamloops and Whistler, BC, coordination of the design team for a large elevator modernization project at three hospitals in Vancouver, and the development and implementation of long-range capital plans for clients such as Ivanhoe Cambridge, Cadillac Fairview, Triovest and Morguard Investments and various municipalities, Strata Corporations and Coops.
Rick Fernandes
Rick Fernades - PCL Construction - West Coast Inc.
Rick has been with PCL for over 19 years in various capacities starting as a Project Coordinator and working up to Manager of PCL’s operations in the BC Interior. Rick was born and raised in the BC Interior and moved to Kelowna in 2000 after spending most of his career with PCL in the Lower Mainland. Rick is passionate about making the industry better by increasing the profile of construction professionals and their contribution to our local and provincial economies.
Shawn Parkes
Shawn Parkes - Christman Plumbing & Heating
Shawn is the Senior Estimator at Christman Plumbing & Heating. He joined SICA to gain more knowledge and experience in the construction industry. As well as help to better address any concerns that we see in construction today. He has 20 years experience in the construction industry after starting his career in the water/waste-water sector.
Stuart Kamstra
Stuart Kamstra - School District #23
Stuart Kamstra is Assistant Director of Operations at School District #23 (Central Okanagan), serving in this role for the past six years. Stuart also holds the position of Chief Project Officer for major initiatives, including his exceptional leadership on the recent George Pringle Secondary Design Build project.
With 26 years of industry experience, Stuart brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field. His extensive background spans two decades dedicated to Educational Facilities, covering both K-12 and Post-secondary sectors. Stuart’s unique perspective encompasses roles as a Contractor, Consultant, and Owner, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of safety and construction dynamics.
Over the last 14 years, Stuart has excelled as an Owners’ representative, demonstrating a proactive approach to continuous learning and growth. He has maintained his PMP® certification and is a dedicated leader committed to driving success in every project he undertakes. His pragmatic mindset, flexibility, and ambitious spirit has empowered him to embrace change in our industry.
Vicki Topping
Vicki Topping - MQN Architects
Vicki achieved her Masters in Architecture in 2002 from the University of British Columbia, combining an aptitude for aesthetics with her methodical and practical sensibilities. Prior to joining MQN Architects she worked gaining useful experience on educational, civic, commercial, residential and laboratory projects. Vicki joined the MQN team in 2005, bringing not only experience, but valuable organizational abilities and interpersonal relational skills. In short, Vicki impresses clients and everyone she works with because of her efficiency, capability, and down-to-earth methodology. Ever since Vicki joined MQN she has been involved with numerous educational projects, taking them through the various phases including PIR’s, feasibility studies, design development and construction documentation. She thoroughly enjoys the investigation portion of each project, as well as meeting the individuals that transform buildings into communities. Her most recent projects include The Board of Education of School District 83 Administration Office Building, School District 73 – Norkam Trades and Technology Center of Excellence, St. Mary’s Church Addition, Rossland Secondary K-9 Conversion, and MV Beattie Elementary School. In applying her skills to the many phases of a project– from schematic design to construction administration – -Vicki distinguishes herself as a well-rounded, effective administrator. Vicki employs her expertise as a systematic thinker by providing cohesion between design, budget, schedule, and pragmatic solutions, thus meeting job requirements with both alacrity and success. She is well respected by her colleagues as both forthright and impartial, with an uncanny ability to communicate in a equitable manner in all circumstances.
BCCA Update
Chris Atchison
Chris Atchison - British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)
Chris is the President of the BC Construction Association (BCCA). He has an extensive background working in the association space with a passion to innovate and drive member value. In addition, Chris has developed an expertise for working collaboratively to ensure optimal results for employers, members, communities, and funders.
Legal Update - Knowing Your Rights and How to Use Them
Session Information
Legal Update – Knowing Your Rights and How to Use Them
In this session, we will explore the critical relationship between what the courts are saying about contractual risks and liabilities and what those decisions mean for you and your contract. Based on this update, hear how best to identify contractual pitfalls, approach resolving disputes, and avoid costly claims and litigation.
Glenn Ackerley
Glenn Ackerley - WeirFoulds LLP
GLENN W. ACKERLEY is a partner with the law firm of WeirFoulds LLP in Toronto and is chair of the construction law practice group. Glenn fills the role of a “project lawyer”, providing ongoing advice from the start through to completion of a construction project for public and private owners, developers, contractors, subtrades, suppliers, and design consultants. He regularly advises on project structures, construction and consultant contracts, procurement issues, and risk-avoidance strategies. When disputes arise, Glenn acts for clients in construction lien and trust claims, bond claims, and construction deficiency and delay claims. Appreciating the important role played by alternative dispute resolution, Glenn also regularly acts as mediator, arbitrator, and referee.
Glenn is very active in the industry, participating on committees and in working groups, including having served as a member of the Expert Panel’s Advisory Group on changes to Ontario’s Construction Act. Glenn sits on one of the National Advisory Councils of the Canadian Construction Association and is a Past Chair of the Board of the Toronto Construction Association. Glenn sat on the Executive of the Construction and Infrastructure Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association and taught construction law at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Department of Architectural Science for many years. Glenn is a Fellow and currently the Vice-President of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers.
Glenn regularly presents on construction law topics to both industry and legal groups, including seminars at the Ontario General Contractors Association’s Symposiums, the Osgoode Certificate in Construction Law program, and the Admission Course of the Ontario Association of Architects.
Glenn has been recognized as a leading construction law practitioner in the Canadian Legal LEXPERT, Best Lawyers in Canada, and Chambers Canada directories. He has been awarded the Donald P. Giffin, Sr. Construction Industry Achievement Award (TCA), the Jock Tindale Memorial Award for Integrity in the Construction Industry (OGCA), the Manufacturers, Suppliers and Services Award of Recognition (CCA) and both the Chair’s Award and Construction Hard Hat Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Construction Industry (COCA) for his contributions.
Public Owner [Municipalities, School Districts] Ticket
- Conference
- Buffet Breakfast
- Buffet Lunch
- Networking Reception
Sponsors
All Sponsorships and Exhibitor Display Tables include 2 Attendee Tickets valued at $598. Sponsors will be recognized on the website, presentations, signage, and social media.
Title Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Exhibitors
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I attend?
You should attend if you are in the construction industry and interested in learning and networking with others engaged in the local construction industry.
Gallery
Check our previous conference photos