INNOVATION November-December 2012

a nnua l con f e r ence

2012 Annual Conference and AGM Solutions for a Changing World

Laurel Buss

I t was a record breaking year for attendance at APEGBC’s 2012 Annual Conference and AGM, which saw over 850 delegates gathered at the Victoria Conference Centre for two days of professional development and networking activities, followed by the Association’s 93 rd annual general meeting. An outstanding group of volunteers coordinated 12 professional development streams, which focused on topics that addressed many significant issues facing the engineering and geoscience profes- sions. This year’s streams included: Better Business (Ed Prior PEng), Building Codes (Andrew Teasell PEng), Diversity in Organizations (Meghan Wells EIT), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Mehrzad Tabatabaian PEng), Engineering and Geoscience in the Resource Sector (David Bergman PGeo, Jennifer Clarke PGeo), Environmental Engineering and Geoscience (Elizabeth MacLanders PEng), Management (Paul Aresenault PEng), Municipal Engineering (Bill Berry PEng, Susan Clift, PEng), Structural Engineering (Thor Tandy PEng StructEng), Organizations in Engineering and Geoscience (Kathy Tarnai-Lokhorst PEng), Young Professional (Roseanne Parrott PEng), and APEGBC (Louise Egan PEng). Professional development sessions were once again recorded this year and will be made available to members for purchase as part of the online APEGBC Learning Centre (www.apeg.bc.ca/ prodev/online_learning_centre.html/). A full tradeshow hall featured 46 unique exhibitors and was the backdrop for a bustling Exhibitor Wine and Beer Reception on Thursday evening, which hosted conference delegates. Representatives from Engineers Without Borders were also on hand to engage delegates in discussion about the important role of engi- neers and geoscientists in an increasingly globalized world. In addition to the professional development sessions, APEGBC business was the underlying focus of the conference, which also hosted meetings of the Branch Representatives, the Student Advisory Committee, DEGIRS, and a Past President’s forum. Thursday and Friday’s keynote programs saw record atten- dance as well and provided delegates with insight into topics on

leadership, memory, ocean science, and growth and change in the engineering and geoscience sector. APEGBC also showcased the winning submission from the 2012 APEGBC MAPS Student Video Contest. The President’s Awards Gala on Friday evening was the high- light of the conference where eight exceptional members were recognized by APEGBC for their outstanding professional, techni- cal and volunteer contributions to engineering, geoscience and the community. Andy Mill PEng StructEng FEC returned as emcee for the gala event, to the delight of the sold out crowd. Throughout the eve- ning, each award recipient was profiled in a short video featuring their accomplishments and contributions. Honours were awarded in the categories of Young Professional (Robert Stupka PEng), Teaching Excellence (Dr Robert Millar PEng/PGeo), Community Service (Peter Tassie PEng), D C Lambert Professional Service (Dr Margaret Li PEng FEC), and Meritorious Achievement (Dr Faisal Beg PEng and Anker Gram PEng) APEGBC’s top honour for a geoscientist, The C J Westerman Memorial Award was presented to Dr David Wilford PGeo for his outstanding contributions to the geoscience community. Harry Lee PEng was the recipient of APEGBC’s highest engineering award, the R A McLachlan Memorial Award for his pioneering work on BC’s power systems. Videos of the 2012 President’s Awards recipients can be viewed online through APEGBC’s YouTube channel: www. youtube.com/apegbc1/. APEGBC’s 93 rd Annual General Meeting was held Saturday, October 27, where incoming president Dr Michael Isaacson PEng and the 2012/2013 Council were inducted. Five motions were brought forward by members and debated on the floor. APEGBC was honoured to be able to participate in the recog- nition of three outstanding professional engineers as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee celebration. Medals were awarded to Mark Adams PEng, Paul Blanchard PEng FEC and Dr Sheldon Cherry PEng.

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