The Ontario Construction Report – April 2008 – PAGE OCR B1
Fifth Annual OGCA Construction Symposium
provides insights, connections for
Ontario’s Construction Industry
STAFF WRITER – The OCR Construction Report Special Feature
More than 600 construction industry leaders from across On-
tario will attend the fifth Annual Construction Symposium coordi-
nated by the Ontario General Contractors Association in
Collingwood on April 10 – 12.
The symposium combines an intensive series of educational pro-
grams with entertainment and networking opportunities – and has
attracted a high-powered list of speakers and sponsors as it has
grown each year since the first symposium in 2003.
“I know as a past attendee, the value of both the networking and
education opportunities the Symposium provides,” says OGCA
Chair Dean Drevniok, president of Frecon Construction Ltd. near
Ottawa. “I encourage all OGCA members to participate – you will
not be disappointed.”
The symposium has more than 25 seminars of interest to super-
intendents, project managers, estimators, owners, partners and spon-
sors, says OGCA president Clive Thurston. “It is a great
opportunity for industry participants to catch up on trends, improve
their understanding of complex issues, and reconnect with peers and
suppliers from across the province.”
Jim Mathis, a motivational speaker, corporate trainer and exec-
utive coach, will deliver the keynote address, discussing the role
that attitude plays in success.
Following his presentation, symposium visitors can choose be-
tween programs relating to leadership development, building enve-
lope failures, Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP)
projects, firestopping, and – to show the depth of technical cover-
age, a session titled: “The Canadian Design-Build Institute Pres-
ents: The New CCDC-14 Design Build Stipulated Price Contract.”
Clive Thurston says one of the really great advantages of the
seminar is what happens outside the seminar rooms. “We get to-
gether, share ideas, and apply our learning – while creating and re-
establishing relationships,” he said. “The symposium is serious
business, of course, but we have fun, too, and the Blue Mountain
Resort is a great place to be in early Spring.”
Symposium Platinum sponsors are Gowling Lafleur Henderson
LLP and Travelers Guarantee Company of Canada. A complete list
of Gold, Silver, Bronze and Friend sponsors is available.
Infinite Source Systems will sponsor the Cyber Café, allowing
participants to check emails and stay in touch with their offices.
Mark Buckshon and Chase from Ontario Construction Report
will attend the symposium, and report on it in the May issue. If you
are at the symposium and would like to reach them, you can phone
613-292-3973 or email buckshon@constructionnrgroup.com.
For last minute registration information, call the OGCA offices
at (905) 671-3969 or visit the association’s website at
http://www.ogca.ca.
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