INNOVATION November-December 2015

as soc ia t i on notes

2015 Annual Conference Build Your Value in a Competitive World

Beautiful fall weather and sunny skies provided the backdrop for APEGBC’s 2015 Annual Conference and AGM. More than 700 delegates gathered at the Delta Grand Okanagan Conference Centre in Kelowna for two days of professional development and networking, followed by the association’s 96 th annual general meeting. An outstanding group of volunteers coordinated 10 professional development streams, which 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 (Victoria Stevens, P.Geo.), Municipal Engineering (Kimberly Wong, P.Eng.), Environmental Engineering and Geoscience (Elizabeth MacLanders, P.Eng.), Management (Stephen Horsman, P.Eng.), Young Professional (Felix Menu, P.Eng.), Structural (Meagan Harvey, P.Eng.), Better Business (Garrett Hamilton-Smith, P.Eng.), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Mehrzad Tabatabaian, P.Eng.), Climate Change (Mark Porter, P.Eng., Struct.Eng.), and APEGBC (Craig Merkl, P.Eng.). In addition to professional development sessions, APEGBC hosted meetings of the branch representatives, the Student Advisory Committee, DEGIRS, and a Past President’s forum. Attendees toured the tradeshow hall and surrounding area, which featured 38 exhibitors. The Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) and APEGBC presented the 2015 Forest Engineering Award of Excellence on Thursday morning, which honored Herbert W. Argent, P.Eng., posthumously for his contributions and leadership in forest engineering. Thursday and Friday’s keynote programs provided delegates with inspiration and insight. Communication expert Rhonda Victoor kicked off Thursday morning with advice on how to connect for effect through high-performance networking. At the Friday luncheon, adventurer Bruce Kirkby shared stories from his Himalayan travels, along with tips to practice mindfulness and maximize productivity in our daily lives. Thursday evening

focused on adventure, as Parks Canada Senior Underwater Archaeologist Ryan Harris spoke about the Franklin Expedition and his involvement in the discovery and the state-of-the-art technology used to locate HMS Erebus . Andy Mill, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC, returned as master of ceremonies for the President’s Awards Gala on Friday evening to the delight of a sold-out crowd of APEGBC members and industry guests. Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna–Lake Country, brought greetings on behalf of the BC government. Throughout the evening, short videos profiled each award recipient and their accomplishments and contributions to society (youtube.com/apegbc1/), and awards were given to: Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., FGC: C.J. Westerman Memorial Award; Dr. Duncan Wyllie, P.Eng.: R.A. McLachlan Memorial Award; Dr. Dan Moore, P.Geo.: Meritorious Achievement Award; Meiric Preece, P.Eng.: Meritorious Achievement Award; Ken Putt, P.Eng., FEC, FGC: D.C. Lambert Professional Service Award; Selena Wilson, P.Eng.: Young Professional Award; Dr. Perry Adebar, P.Eng.: Teaching Award of Excellence. Geoscientists Canada also presented the Canadian Professional Geoscientists Award to APEGBC member Doug VanDine, P.Eng./P.Geo, FEC, FGC. APEGBC volunteers were thanked for their dedication and service to the association following the AGM at the Recognition Luncheon. Committee awards and honourary memberships were also presented (page 12). Outgoing President Dr. John Clague, P.Geo., FGC, FEC, (Hon.) was acknowledged for his contributions and dedication to Council as president for the 2014/2015 term at both the Saturday lunch and Friday’s Stripped Gear Ceremony. APEGBC wishes to thank our exceptional sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and conference delegates for their participation and support in making this year’s conference a resounding success.

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