November 23, 2011

Construction experts address planning, advocacy, contracts and evolution of procurement conference in Cambridge, Ontario

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

CAMBRIDGE, Ont.

As Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) president Martha George puts it, organizations that are not at the leading edge when it comes to business intelligence “are at the bleeding edge.

“The industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector is undergoing unprecedented change,“ she told buyers of construction services, consultants and a sprinkling of contractors attending the association’s PACE (planning, advocacy, contracts, and evolution of procurement) event. “Expertise is now at a premium.”

The event, now in its third year, is intended to provide participants with timely information pertaining to key issues that affect decision-making and new business models that are emerging in the province’s construction industry.

“This event clearly recognizes that our industry has become increasingly sophisticated as well as full of risk and legal landmines,” the association said in a document prepared for the event. “You will hear the word strategy repeated many times in today’s sessions.”

Speakers were Alex Carrick, Reed Construction Data Canada chief economist, Geza Banfai, a partner in Heenan Blaikie and a certified construction law specialist, Anton Pojasok, vice-president of professional services at Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Brian Watkinson, principal of Strategies 4 Impact who also acted as the event’s facilitator. Carrick briefed participants on factors affecting the country’s economic outlook, Pojasok provided a snapshot of operations at IO following that agency’s merger with the Ontario Realty Corp., Banfai focused on legal issues associated with team-based construction models and Watkinson outlined various trends in the industry. The need for a collaborative approach was one of the key themes.

New delivery models, such as public-private partnerships, integrated project delivery and LEAN project delivery identify the need to collaborate on a level seldom seen in design and construction, Watkinson said.

“It is essential that both buyers and service providers create sound strategies to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks these changes bring.”

The event is believed to be the only forum of its type offered by a local construction association in the province.

In an interview later, George said the GVCA opted to inaugurate the event out of a desire “to embrace the entire gamut of construction” from owners and designers to builders. The PACE event is targeted at consultants as well as procurement and facilities management personnel.

“All stakeholders in the industry need to be aware of market trends,” she said. “This event offers organizations a wealth of knowledge that they can walk away with.”

Watkinson, who has acted as the facilitator for all three events, said “it’s all about keeping pace with trends in the industry and emerging business opportunities.

“The industry is changing at such a speed that we want to try to help people anticipate what they need to be doing in the way of strategy to take advantage of opportunities and manage those risks that come along with those opportunities.”

One of this year’s attendees was John Miller, director of purchasing at the city of Waterloo. He said he found the sessions “very informative.”

“The GVCA brings together a great mix of professionals representing all aspects of the construction industry,” Miller said via e-mail. “The speakers are well-seasoned professionals who are considered experts in their fields.

“It is a great venue, with great discussions on pertinent topics.”

Jeff Shantz, vice-president of project delivery at Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. and a member of the GVCA board of directors said of the things that he likes about the event is that presenters provide “a honest and unbiased “opinion on the different delivery options that are available to owner groups and the benefits of forming an entire team (owner, consultants and contractor) at the early stages of the project.

“This information is extremely valuable to any procurement group that is interested in being a part of process that delivers a better overall project and provides a much greater guarantee of the overall performance of the operating systems for a building and the long term maintenance.” This year’s event was sponsored by Reed Construction Data.

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