BRINGING INDUSTRY TOGETHER A look back at the first Hub of Construction Expo

By Paul Adair

Taking place May 10-11, 2023 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, the Edmonton Construction Association’s (ECA) inaugural Hub of Construction Expo (presented by Procore) was an opportunity to bring construction stakeholders – contractors, trades, designers, engineers, suppliers, owners, service providers, and others – together to build stronger relationships, make lasting connections, and come up with solutions to some of the industry’s most pressing issues.

Featuring dynamic keynote speakers and industry-focused breakout sessions that covered the latest and greatest in technology design, project delivery, and support, this exciting two-day conference and trade show was the first of its kind for the ECA and its membership. Those who were there benefited significantly from the first ECA’s Hub of Construction Expo for a variety of reasons, including, but not exclusively:

Networking opportunities: The Hub of Construction Expo gathers professionals from various sectors of the industry, including contractors, trades, architects, engineers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Attending provides an excellent platform to connect and network with like-minded individuals, potential clients, partners, and industry leaders. Building these relationships can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and new business opportunities.

Knowledge sharing and learning: The event featured numerous keynote speeches and breakout sessions by industry experts and thought leaders.

Attending these educational sessions can help industry professionals stay informed about the latest construction industry developments, acquire new knowledge, and gain insights into best practices.

Showcase products and services: Exhibiting at the trade show or sponsoring the expo allowed companies to showcase their products, services, and innovations to a targeted audience. It also provided an opportunity to demonstrate new technologies, equipment, materials, and solutions. This kind of exposure can generate leads, attract potential clients, and enhance their brand visibility.

Collaboration and partnerships: The expo provided a platform for collaboration and forming strategic partnerships. Engaging with professionals from different sectors of the industry can lead to collaborative projects, joint ventures, and mutually beneficial partnerships. Collaborations can help leverage expertise, share resources, and tackle complex projects that require interdisciplinary cooperation.

Industry recognition and credibility: Active involvement at the Hub of Construction Expo can contribute to building a positive reputation and establishing credibility within the industry. By participating as a speaker, panelist, or exhibitor, professionals can showcase their expertise and position themselves as industry leaders. This recognition can lead to increased trust from clients and improved business opportunities.

“The expo is part of the ECA’s dedication to delivering value to its members, and emphasized the four key pillars: Procurement, Collaboration, Networking, and Education,” says David Johnson, ECA president. “Both the ECA staff and the board of directors diligently strive to engage members and stakeholders in advancing the construction industry. The development of this conference was driven by the intention to address each of these pillars comprehensively.”

The Breakout Sessions

The Hub of Construction Expo featured nine informative breakout sessions presented by industry experts and thought leaders. These sessions covered a wide range of topics, including new technologies, innovative construction methods, regulatory updates, sustainability practices, and market trends.

The breakout session topics and presenters included:

• Alberta’s Election: What Happens Next – Brooks Merritt, CEO at Loyalton Strategies

• Completing Complex Building in Challenging Times – Harshil Gupta, product marketing manager at Procore

• Case Study: Edmonton EXPO Renewal – IDP project team

• The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Lessons Learned Using Digital Project Delivery at the University of Alberta – facilitated by Roddy Handa, Tracey Didluck, Paul Rasmussen, Michael Parfitt, Cathal Donelly, and Jesse Pantzouri

• Development Trends in Edmonton –NAIOP

• Spotting Addiction in the Workplace –Anthony Zoretto

• Thriving Hub of Opportunities – Chris McLeod, VP global marketing & communications at Edmonton Global

• Creating a More Inclusive World – Erin Davis, lead inclusion strategist at Erin Davis Co.

• Myth Busting the Employment Service

Sector – facilitated by Brooks Hanewich at AICCC, Women Building Futures, Buy Social Canada, and EMBERS

A Fantastic Keynote Lineup

The expo also featured a rich slate of keynote speakers, who kicked off each day informing, inspiring, and motivating those in attendance about their unique and exhilarating experiences.

DR. JAMES MAKOKIS AND ANTHONY JOHNSON

The amazing two spirit couple, Dr. James Makokis and Anthony Johnson, competed and won as Team Ahkameyimok (which means ‘never give up’ in Cree) on the seventh season of Amazing Race Canada. As the first two-spirit, Indigenous married couple to compete, much less win, the two are on a mission to help raise awareness to create equal access for LGBTQ2S+ and Indigenous populations.

A proud Cree from the Saddle Lake First Nation in northern Alberta, Makokis runs a transgender-focused medical practice and is a leader in Indigenous, LGBTQ2, and medical communities. He has a two-spirit perspective and strong connections to preventative health and spirituality.

The trade show proved to be an opportune moment for industry professionals to come together and foster knowledge sharing, and put a spotlight on innovative products, learning, and networking.

Born and raised on the Navajo nation, Johnson is a self-proclaimed spiritual nomad, artist, poet, photographer, and cultural documentarian.

Their ability to blend their personal experiences with high-level expertise helps build new foundations of understanding for the acceptance of individuals while empowering individuals to give them tools and strategies for how they can be a part of the solution through allyship and unity.

Will Gadd

Will Gadd is one of the top adventure athletes in the world, whose presentations on risk and reward take him around the globe to speak to audiences ranging from corporate leaders to at-risk youth. Gadd has been recognized as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and recently became the first person to climb a frozen Niagara Falls, not because he was insane, but because he wanted to convince everyone – from the governor of New York down to the state police – that the act of traversing the falls, while dangerous, could also result in some massively positive outcomes. That particular adventure took years of hard work, preparation, and listening, and ended with him receiving the keys to the city.

Gadd was at the expo to talk about his wildly successful career that has spanned more than 30 years of high adventure from the heart of Africa to the glaciers of Greenland.

“Will Gadd left an impression on me,” says David Johnson, ECA president.

“As a renowned ice climber and paraglider pilot, as well as the host of the documentary series Fearless Planet, his message resonated deeply. He emphasized the importance of taking calculated risks while effectively managing them. While our audience didn’t consist of extreme sport athletes, the insights he shared were easily applicable to their businesses.”

DR. CAROLINE BROOKFIELD

The reluctant creative, Dr. Caroline Brookfield is a veterinarian, author, speaker, stand-up comic, and mom who helps leaders, executives, and unapologetic ‘left brainers’ rediscover their unique style of everyday creativity, to build confidence in uncertainty, foster better well-being, and boost job performance and satisfaction. Dr. Brookfield shared her passion for helping others identify their own barriers to individual, everyday creativity, so that they can find the courage to speak up, stand out, and build a uniquely satisfying future for themselves.

When The Sun Goes Down

But it was not all work and no play for those in attendance. The Hub of Construction Expo also featured a fun slate of live music and entertainment, and the networking events were exceptional in providing ample opportunities for attendees to connect, unwind, and forge valuable relationships.

On the first night, the ECA organized an exclusive Edmonton Oilers watch party sponsored by Hub International at Edmonton’s premium live music and party venue, On The Rocks – in which the Oilers beat the Vegas Golden Nights four-to-one. Prior to the game and between periods, there was live music performed by Alberta’s own Achilles Last Stand and the entire evening had an energetic atmosphere bolstered by the home team’s win. Sponsored by Denger Construction, the second night featured a memorable happy hour closer, where attendees enjoyed more live music from local talent Leo Martinez and had the pleasure of indulging in a variety of craft food and drink vendors.

“I was particularly enthusiastic about our ECA events as they offered a great opportunity to reconnect with our members and foster meaningful interactions,” says Johnson. “These events not only provided a platform for business-to-business engagements, but also facilitated social connections. Our association’s ability to bring together diverse participants from the construction industry in a single location has consistently led to high attendance at our events.”

The Tradeshow And Exhibits

Sponsored by PCL, the Hub of Construction Expo’s trade show featured nearly 100 exhibitors covering builders, service providers, and products, and offered an invaluable platform for direct business-to-business interactions for ECA