INNOVATION November-December 2014

annua l con ferenc e

left to right, top to bottom: Hon. Amrik Virk, Minister of Advanced Education, brought greetings on behalf of the BC government at the President’s Awards Gala. Dr. James Olson, P.Eng., recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award, with Gayle Olson. Canadian hero Colonel Chris Hadfield spoke about his incredible journey to the International Space Station and safely home. Al Majdzadeh, P.Geo. (centre) received the Mentor of the Year award from President Michael Bapty, P.Eng, FEC and Councillor Kathy Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng. Mike Waberski, BCLS (left) and Susan O’Neill (right) were delighted to meet special guest Colonel Chris Hadfield.

Annual Conference and AGM Global Innovation Begins at Home

It was a record- breaking year for attendance at the APEGBC 2014

APEGBC also hosted meetings of the branch representatives, the Student Advisory Committee and a Past Presidents’ Forum. Attendees had many opportunities to tour the tradeshow hall and surrounding area that featured 35 unique exhibitors. The hall served as the backdrop for a bustling exhibitors’ wine and beer reception for conference delegates on Thursday afternoon. Thursday and Friday’s keynote programs were well-attended and provided delegates with inspiration and insight. The Honorable Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines, pro- vided an engaging address regarding the province’s renewable energy, mineral exploration and mining strategy. Drew Dudley, founder and Chief Catalyst of Nuance Leadership Inc., dis- cussed the importance of “lollipop moments,” when something that you’ve done has made someone else’s life fundamentally better in regards to leadership. A highlight of the conference was Colonel Chris Hadfield, astronaut, engineer and former Commander of the International Space Station, who gave an inspiring presenta- tion titled, The Sky is Not the Limit , about his journey to the International Space Station and safely home. Following his presentation was a VIP Reception with Hadfield that provided attendees with the opportunity to pose for a picture with the Canadian hero and get a signed book.

Annual Conference and AGM, with more than 1,100 attendees participating in the conference program.

Delegates gathered at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver for two days of professional development and networking activities, followed by the association’s 95 th annual general meeting. An outstanding group of volunteers coordinated 12 professional development streams focused on topics that address many significant issues facing the engineering and geoscience professions. This year’s streams included: Engineering and Geoscience in the Resource Sector, Municipal Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Geoscience, Management, Young Professionals, Structural, Better Business, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Geotechnical, and association information sessions. Two new streams offered this year included Women in Leadership and Consulting Practice.

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