Free to Attend Sessions at BUILDEX Vancouver

Wednesday, February 26 @ 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: BUILDEX Main Stage (Booth 843)

Premier David Eby is back in office after a nail-biting provincial election, joined by a fresh roster of MLAs, Ministers, and new Ministries ready to reshape BC’s political and economic landscape. What does this mean for the construction industry? Everything. Hear from industry experts and stakeholders on how shifts in leadership, ministerial roles, and priorities could affect prompt payment legislation, workforce numbers, infrastructure investment, project funding, and municipal regulatory policies and procedures. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges posed by the new government and ministries.

Presenting Partner: VRCA

Speakers:

Brad West, Mayor, Port Coquitlam

Jeannine Martin, President, Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA)

Chris Atchison, President, British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)

Wednesday, February 26 @ 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: BUILDEX Main Stage (Booth 843)

Explore the future of sustainable construction through mass timber innovations. Hear from a panel of experts including the municipality, a forward-thinking architectural firm, and one of Western Canada's largest private real estate organizations, as they share insights on advancing mass timber building in British Columbia. The session will cover regulatory support, design innovations, and large-scale adoption, highlighting how Metro Vancouver is leading this transformative shift.

Presenting Partner: WoodWorks

Speakers:

Josh White, General Manager, Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability (PDS) City of Vancouver

Anne McMullin, President, CEO, Urban Development Institute

Darryl Condon, Managing Partner, hcma architecture + design

Graham Brewster, Director of Development, Wesgroup Properties

Wednesday February 26 @ 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: BUILDEX Main Stage (Booth 843)

How do buildings make us feel? How can they make us feel better?
Through research at the emerging intersection of neuroscience and architecture, this session will explore how our mind, and its various sensory systems, interacts with our built environment to enhance or harm our health and well-being. By bridging the gap in knowledge between the therapeutic medical world and the design community, the speaker will reveal how the intentional shaping of our environment can support our physical and neurological well-being through recent discoveries in cognitive psychology (the science of the mind) and neuroscience (the science of the brain).

Presenting Partner: IDIBC

Speakers:

Tye Farrow, Senior Partner, Farrow Partners Architects

Thursday, February 27 @ 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Location: Tradeshow Floor: BUILDEX Main Stage (Booth 843)

Increasingly common historic heat waves, wildfires, and floods are costing B.C. up to CAD 17 billion per year. While owners and Codes Officials are attempting to respond to these crises, high construction costs and an uncertain political environment are challenging project viability.

Revolutionizing the built environment remains a critical aspect of Canada’s strategy to reduce emissions to 45% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Presently, the building industry is responsible for about 39% of global carbon emissions emanating from operational emissions as well as materials and construction. This panel of industry experts will share fiscally responsible strategies and best practices to decarbonize our buildings while addressing climate risk concerns.

Speakers:

Lyle Scott, Principal, Footprint

Lisa Westerhoff, Principal, Westerhoff Climate Strategies

Brent Frayne, Principal, Smith + Andersen

Heather Reid, Impact Initiatives Lead, Sustainability, PCI Developments

Julie Pett, Sr. Energy Conservation Manager, University of British Columbia

Thursday February, 27 @ 1:15 PM- 2:15 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: BUILDEX Main Stage (Booth 843)

Join a panel of industry leaders from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) for a dynamic keynote conversation on the future of home building and renovation in BC. This session is designed to provide professional homebuilders and renovators with actionable insights and growth strategies for the year ahead. Whether you're looking to differentiate your business in a competitive market, better understand the current challenges facing your industry, or benchmark your business with leading peers, this session will deliver knowledge and tools to keep you informed. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge and ensure your business thrives in 2025 and beyond.

Presenting Partner: Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA)

Speakers:

Kevin Hatch, Founder, President Twin Lions Contracting Ltd., TLG Millwerks Ltd

Robert Capar, Owner, Maison D'Etre Design Build Inc.

Sarah Caron, Director, Renovation Services Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA)

Thursday, February 27 @ 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Location: Tradeshow Floor: BUILDEX Main Stage (Booth 843)

Tall buildings have enjoyed a major uptake in almost all major cities globally in the last few decades. But are they - and the push for greater urban density - creating habitats and patterns of life that are truly sustainable in terms of social, cultural, and economic sustainability, as well as the carbon equation? This presentation outlines areas where the typology, and cities as a whole, need to develop, introducing a number of exemplars from around the world.

Presenting Partner: WoodWorks

Speakers:

Antony Wood, Former President, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

Wednesday February 26 @ 11:45 AM- 12:15 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: TECHCENTRIC (Booth 1603)

Discover what Vectorworks Architect can do for your design process and your architectural projects. Join the speaker as they go from initial hand sketch to drawing, modelling, and rendering in a fully integrated BIM workflow – all within Vectorworks. Whether you are an architect or designer who is looking for a flexible, design-oriented solution or you are an existing Vectorworks user who wants to take your practice further, this seminar is for you.

Presenting Partner: VectorWorks

Speakers:

Neil Barman, Architect, Product Specialist, Vectorworks Inc.

Wednesday, February 26 @ 12:20 PM - 12:50 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: TECHCENTRIC (Booth 1603)

The presentation will offer an overview of the current state of specification technology in Canada before discussing how and when specifications could or should be integrated with a BIM model in Vectorworks or Autodesk Revit. Ultimately, the information and process presented will improve the quality of contract specifications produced and reduce risk by helping to create a digital twin of the project.

Sponsored by: The NBS

Speakers:

Mark Barretto, VP of Sales, The NBS

Wednesday, February 26 @ 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: TECHCENTRIC (Booth 1603)

This session will demonstrate how the complexities of property management can be simplified. Participants can expect to gain insights into how to leverage self-service tools for a range of common tasks, including: confidently vetting suitable prospects for any residential property; efficiently managing leases and reducing the risk of delayed or unpaid rent; applying miscellaneous charges smoothly; ensuring all fees are paid on time; as well as scheduling maintenance and inspections to keep your property in optimal condition. These tools not only elevate the tenant’s experience but also serve as a crucial shield against potential risks that businesses may face. Attendees will learn how they can embrace these innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency while strengthening risk management strategies.

Sponsored by: Yardi Breeze Premier

Speakers:

Kiera Sinnamon, Account Executive, Canada Yardi

Wednesday February 26 @ 3:30 PM- 4:30 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: TECHCENTRIC (Booth 1603)
Western Canada is a con-tech supercluster and the fastest-growing hub for AI-in-Construction R&D, with over 60 established and emerging technology firms. The Contech Showcase highlights innovative local technology firms revolutionizing the construction and real estate industry with AI-driven solutions addressing workforce safety, productivity, cost management, and sustainability.

In this engaging, fast-paced session, up to five local, emerging firms will pitch their cutting-edge solutions to a panel of top local construction business leaders, including some of Canada’s most innovative and fastest-growing companies. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the judging process and receive an exclusive invitation to connect with these forward-thinking tech firms and builders.

Don’t miss this chance to discover, connect, and collaborate with your local innovation ecosystem!

Presenting Partner: Prairies Proptech Association

Thursday, February 27 @ 12:00 PM- 12:15 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: TECHCENTRIC (Booth 1603)

This session will demonstrate how the complexities of property management can be simplified. Participants can expect to gain insights into how to leverage self-service tools for a range of common tasks, including: confidently vetting suitable prospects for any residential property; efficiently managing leases and reducing the risk of delayed or unpaid rent; applying miscellaneous charges smoothly; ensuring all fees are paid on time; as well as scheduling maintenance and inspections to keep your property in optimal condition. These tools not only elevate the tenant’s experience but also serve as a crucial shield against potential risks that businesses may face. Attendees will learn how they can embrace these innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency while strengthening risk management strategies.

Sponsored By: Yardi Breeze Premier

Speakers:

Kiera Sinnamon, Account Executive, Canada Yardi

Wednesday February 26 @ 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: Innovation & Networking Hub (Booth 201)

This session delves into the remarkable versatility of architectural precast concrete wall panels, focusing on their innovative design potential, aesthetic customization options, and energy-efficient properties.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the Canadian precast concrete industry, including certification requirements and the prefabrication process. The session will also cover key principles for detailing a successful building envelope, explore the extensive architectural possibilities that precast concrete offers, and highlight several case studies showcasing the effective use of precast concrete in exterior wall applications.

The presentation will conclude with a forward-looking discussion on emerging trends in the industry, including the use of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and the integration of sustainable materials, to further enhance design and functionality in architectural precast concrete

Sponsored By: Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

Speakers:

Val Sylaj, President, Director of Technical Services, Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

Wednesday, February 26 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: Innovation & Networking Hub (Booth 201)

Join this session for a high-level look at Sage Intacct Construction, the cloud-based financial management solution built for all types of builders – from civil, commercial, and industrial construction to single- and multi-family residential projects. This session will explore how Sage Intacct helps architecture and engineering firms, construction and trades, residential builders and renovators, and, all the way to property managers gain real-time financial insights, automate workflows, and integrate with key industry tools.

Learn how robust dashboards, reporting, and automation empower construction professionals to control costs, capture revenues, and make data-driven decisions. Whether you manage large-scale infrastructure projects or custom home builds, Sage Intacct Construction is designed to drive efficiency and profitability across the industry, all while automating processes and eliminating manual work.

Sponsored By: Sage

Speakers:

Michael Kolzow, Senior Account Executive, Sockeye Consulting

Taylor Magness, Sales Engineer, Sockeye Consulting

Thursday February 27 @ 10:15 AM 11:15 AM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: Innovation & Networking Hub (Booth 201)

Vendor compliance is a critical component of financial management in construction and real estate, ensuring regulatory adherence, mitigating risk, and maintaining smooth project execution. This session will explore how Sage Intacct’s compliance features can help organizations effectively manage vendor certifications, insurance tracking, contract compliance, and payment controls. Attendees will learn best practices for automating compliance workflows and enforcing internal policies to track vendor status and mitigate non-compliance risks. Whether you’re managing subcontractors, suppliers, or service providers, this session will provide actionable insights to enhance vendor compliance, reduce liability, and streamline procurement processes.

Sponsored By: Sage

Speakers:

Angel Miralda, Sage Intacct Application Consultant, Aktion Associates, Inc.

Thursday February 27@ 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM
Location: Tradeshow Floor: Innovation & Networking Hub (Booth 201)

Join this panel as they explore cutting-edge advancements in off-site construction, featuring industry leaders who are reshaping the future of building practices. First the speakers will present the innovative BuildBlox project, a digital modular housing construction supply chain platform that promises to transform the industry. Second, the speakers will share insights on best practices in off-site manufacturing, drawing from their extensive experience in sustainable building solutions.
This panel aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the latest technological developments in off-site construction, offering valuable insights for architects, developers, builders, and policymakers interested in adopting these innovative methods to meet growing housing demands efficiently and sustainably. The discussion will focus on:

• Digital innovation in modular construction
• Supply chain transparency and efficiency
• Technology-driven cost reduction
• Best practices in off-site manufacturing
• Sustainability and efficiency
• Addressing housing demands
• Future outlook for this sector of the industry

Sponsored By: DIGITAL SUPERCLUSTER

Speakers:

Chris Hill, President, Bcollective

Mike Kennedy, Founder, CTO Green Metrics Technology Corp.

Amy Vilis, Director, Housing Growth Innovation, DIGITAL

Wednesday February 26 @ 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Location: Tradeshow Floor: Property Management Learning Lab (Booth 242)

The conundrum of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada through building retrofits is responsible for an adoption rate of 1% per year. At that rate, the estimated time to retrofit buildings is ~175 years for residential and ~70 for commercial and government buildings. Our diverse panel will identify the commercial and general circumstances that are preventing broad adoption and present practical solutions that will highlight approaches to design, construction, financing, and policy that could significantly improve adoption and help us achieve 2030 and 2050 targets.

Sponsored By: Akonovia

Speakers:

Gordon Bourque, VP Business Development, Akonovia
Reeba Arif, Development Manager, Graham Capital

Mike Lindgren, Senior Engineering Manager, CLEAResult