Every year, SMACNA-BC members and their families meet for a chance to make new connections, network with old friends, and most importantly, relax and have fun. Over 150 people attended the 41st SMACNA-BC Convention and AGM at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort from April 29 to May 1. Events like these help showcase what SMACNA-BC brings to the table and how the association can help people looking to enhance their businesses.

This year, guests received a jump-start to summer with a beach-themed welcome party that concluded Friday’s interactive activities and fun social events. Throughout the day, attendees golfed at Bear Mountain Golf Resort, participated in traditional afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, and for the more adventurous, enjoyed exhilarating rides at Adrenaline Zipline.  

The next day, special SMACNA national guests, president-elect, James Boone of New England Sheet Metal Works in California, and executive director of labour relations, Deb Wyandt, made presentations during Saturday’s business meeting. Afterwards came the installation of incoming SMACNA-BC president, Brian Featherstone of ECCO Heating.

Congratulations are in order for Brian as well as SMACNA-BC past-president, Mark Halvorson of Viaduct Sheet Metal, who was appointed as the Canadian representative to the SMACNA National Board of Directors. Mark will be taking over Tony Miele’s role in October at the SMACNA National Convention in Phoenix, AZ.

Also during the meeting, Bernie Antchak of Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd., was elected to the Board of Directors. In addition, out-going SMACNA-BC president, Craig Benson of Paramount Sheet Metal Ltd. moved from president to secretary/treasurer and past-president, and was also re-elected to the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board. Neil Deppiesse of Horizon Metal Systems Inc. was re-elected for another five-year term on the Joint Conference Board, and Joe Toso of Tri-Metal Fabricators moved from vice-president to president-elect.

As well as attending the SMACNA-BC convention, M. Halvorsen, T. Paris, B. Featherstone, R. Bowe, A. Smith, and B. Sychuk from SMACNA-BC attended the Partners in Progress Conference in Las Vegas last March along with six representatives from Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 280 Executive Board. Three apprentices, Chris Thiessen of Viaduct Sheet Metal, Ken Jones of Nelson Roofing and Joe Grunau of Austin Metal Fabricators, who were competing in the ITI apprenticeship competition, also participated in the PIP conference.