By / Jeremy Hallman, Executive Director, SMACNA-BC
This year, I had the opportunity to attend the SMACNA Annual AGM & Convention in Palm Desert, California, and as usual, it was an amazing experience. The convention featured a variety of sessions and events each day.
On Sunday, the convention kicked off with registration and the College of Fellows golf and pickleball tournaments. Monday was filled with educational sessions covering topics like workforce management, safety programs, and the impact of AI on construction. The day concluded with a keynote presentation and a lively after-party. On Tuesday, attendees enjoyed a product show and special technology sessions focused on revolutionizing construction efficiency. Networking continued with sessions designed to enhance professional connections. The final day included key presentations from industry leaders, an annual business meeting, and a closing dinner featuring a Journey tribute band, DSB.
AI in Construction
One of the standout programs was focused on the application of AI in construction. For the first time, I was presented with practical examples demonstrating how tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can automate many of the routine tasks that I believe many of you deal with daily. One example that they provided showed an input-dependent version of ChatGPT that would take drawings and specifications and provide full equipment lists along with approved alternates in seconds. This technology has the potential to significantly streamline our workflows and enhance productivity. I am looking for a local presenter who can showcase these tools to any contractors interested in exploring how they can be integrated into our practices.
Workforce Growth
Additionally, I wanted to highlight some noteworthy insights shared by SMART General President Mike Coleman during the conference. He announced impressive growth within the union, increasing our membership from 200,000 to 230,000 over the past year. This surge is a testament to the strength and appeal of our organization. Moreover, he reported that the number of work hours has finally exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reaching 116 million, with projections indicating we could hit 121.5 million hours by 2025. These developments not only reflect the resilience of our industry but also signal a positive outlook for our future.
Regarding labour on a local level, from my conversations with contractors, it appears that some of the workforce issues we experienced last year and in the first two quarters of 2024 have begun to subside. Several contractors mentioned lending employees to other SMACNA contractors temporarily to avoid losing them. It seems that while there is a lot of work on the horizon, projects are taking longer to start, and in some cases, schedules have been delayed or redesigns are necessary due to current market conditions.
Contract Negotiations
Contract negotiations are scheduled for early next year. We welcome your suggestions. Your input is crucial, especially if there are any aspects of the Standard Agreement you would like to see clarified. Please feel free to contact me at the SMACNA-BC office with your ideas.
SMACNA Events
39th Annual SMACNA-BC Golf Classic
SMACNA-BC held its annual Golf Classic on September 13 at Northview Golf & Country Club. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t hold out for us, but everyone managed to finish their round without calling it early. This year, to help increase our capacity, we used the Canal course for overflow to allow another 28 golfers to attend. This brought our grand total to 172. Thank you to all the generous donors, sponsors, and volunteers that helped make the event such a success. Leanne and I couldn’t have done it without the help from Linda.
Through our efforts, over $4,735 was raised on the course. The SMACNA-BC Board of Directors agreed to match this amount, resulting in a total donation of over $9,000 for the Helping Families in Need Society.
Thank you to all who generously supported this worthy cause.
- Aarc-West HVAC Solutions Inc
- Air Systems Supplies
- Ames Metal Fabricators 82 Ltd
- Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd
- Austin Metal Fabricators LP
- Boston Sheet Metal Ltd
- Crossroads C & I
- Crosstown Metal Industries Ltd
- ECCO Supply
- EH Price – Vancouver
- Engineered Air
- Gripple Canada
- IG Wealth Management
- Novagreen
- Manson Installations
- Olympic International
- Northview Golf & Country Club
- Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd
- Pacaire HVAC Supplies Ltd
- Piedmont Sheet Metal
- Point One Media Inc
- Progressive Air Products Ltd
- Raider Hansen
- Ridge Sheet Metal Co
- Samson Metals Ltd
- Sinclair Supply Ltd
- SMACNA-BC
- SMART Local 280
- Smith Sheet Metal Works Ltd
- Summit Sheet Metal Ltd
- The Master Group
- Vets Sheet Metal
- Viaduct Sheet Metal Ltd
- Wm. P. Somerville
Skill & Raffle Prize Winners:
Texas Scramble Winners
- Justyn Atherley – Boston Sheet Metal
- Peter Sove – Boston Sheet Metal
- Mitch Boychuk – Boston Sheet Metal
- Brian Crandell – Boston Sheet Metal
KP / Honey Pot Winners
- Jason Matthews – Crossroads C&I
- Rick Godkin – Vets Sheet Metal
- Cole Sherman – Modern Niagara
- Steve Grindles – Summit Sheet Metal guest
50/50 Winner
- Jason Matthews – Crossroads C&I
Beat the Pro Winner
- Derek Toth – Progressive Air Products
To see all the photos from the tournament please email smacnabc@smacna-bc.org to request the gallery web address and password.
SMACNA-BC Supervisor Program
SMACNA-BC was proud to present Stephane McShane of Maxim Consulting on September 19 at the Civic Hotel in Surrey. Stephane presented her program “Enabling Success – Creating Alignment Between Field and Office” We had 35 contractor members attend this program, which talked about the synergy, teamwork, and trust that must exist between the office and the field for it to succeed. Stephane also discussed the workflow required to mitigate risk and maximize productivity.
Feedback was very positive with many asking that we try to bring Stephane back for future programs.
SMACNA-BC/ASHRAE BC Whitecaps Game
On October 2, we had the pleasure of joining ASHRAE for a Whitecaps game in the Edgewater Suite at BC Place stadium. Together, we had approximately 140 attendees there to witness the Whitecaps’ unfortunate loss to the Seattle Sounders. I would like to extend a special thank you to Norm Grusnick of Ecco Supply and Peter Sung from Equipco for hosting this wonderful event. We would also thank Master Group for their generous donation to this event.
Congratulations to Kevin Shin of Cool Air Rentals for winning the YETI Cooler.
SMACNA-BC/ASHRAE BC Technical Standards Program 2024
November 14, 2024, at Civic Hotel in Surrey
This program for SMACNA-BC contractor members, ASHRAE-BC chapter members, architects, engineers/consultants, building officials, inspectors, specification writers, building owners, and fire marshals was aimed at advance one’s knowledge of the HVAC industry through the use of SMACNA Standards.
This intensive one-day program provided technical information to learn the methods and concepts of SMACNA’s Technical Standards, which in turn enhances participants’ abilities to provide well-designed, constructed, and cost-effective projects for clients. Topics covered included information from SMACNA’s technical manuals:
- HVAC Duct Construction Standards
- Fire, Smoke and Radiation Damper Installation Guide for HVAC
Presenters:
- Eli P. Howard, III, Executive Director, Technical Resources, SMACNA, Inc., Chantilly, VA
- Geoff Parks, Senior Project Manager, Technical Resources, SMACNA, Inc., Chantilly, VA
SMACNA-BC Dinner Meeting
On November 21 SMACNA-BC was pleased to bring to their members Scott Mosher, Portfolio Manager & Senior Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities to discuss financial basics, including:
- the most common types of accounts and investment options including RESP for kids’ education, TFSA for tax free savings, FHSA for first time home buyers, RSP/RIF, and more.
- types of investments – ETFs, mutual funds, and stocks.
- examples of compounding savings and growth over time.
SMACNA-BC Christmas Party – November 29 at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver
All year long people await the SMACNA-BC Christmas Party at the Pan Pacific Hotel, downtown Vancouver. It is the perfect chance to dress up, get together, and welcome the holidays. This year, SMACNA-BC contractors and their guests generously donated gifts to the Helping Families in Need Society helpingfamiliesinneed.org
Check out photos from the party on page 8.
Be sure to visit smacna.bc.org for a calendar of events and to plan your attendance at the next SMACNA-BC membership meeting. ■
