Conference Program

Conference Registration

Welcome to Blue Mountain Resort in beautiful Collingwood, Ontario! Visit the Village Conference Centre to pick up your conference kit, including your badge, event tickets and supplies for the OHBA Annual Conference.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Atrium – Lower Level

OHBA Executive Officers Committee Meeting

OHBA welcomes all Chapter Executive Officers for a roundtable discussion. We will share best practices, hear from member benefit partners, and discuss the year to come at OHBA.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Reflections

OHBA Board of Directors Meeting

Setting course for the association is an important part of the OHBA Annual Conference.
Board of Director Members, Local Presidents, and Local Executive Officers are welcome to join.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom

Opening Reception

Meet us on the mountaintop for an unforgettable evening as we kick off the 2023 OHBA Annual Conference!

Overlooking the beauty of Georgian Bay, savour the delectable flavours of the region, enjoy local entertainment, and reconnect with colleagues in this breathtaking setting.

Delegates will have the opportunity to explore “AGORA: Path of Light” an interactive light walk based on the five elements of air, space, earth, water and fire.
Space is limited, first come, first serve.

Attire: Casual – Layers and comfortable shoes suggested.
Location: Off-Piste Pavilion
Transportation: Delegates can take a ride up the mountain on the gondola, or hop on the shuttle to make their way to ‘Off-Piste.’

Moisture Management in Building Envelopes: Optimizing Exterior Window Installation

Moisture-related issues in building envelopes can lead to significant structural damage, reduced energy efficiency, and compromised indoor air quality. Understanding and effectively managing moisture within the building envelope is crucial. Join us for an enlightening conference presentation on “Moisture Management in Building Envelopes: Optimizing Exterior Window Installation.” This presentation will consider the pivotal role of optimized window installation and other barrier systems in the building envelope, focusing on moisture management and control. The session will equip participants with the knowledge and strategies necessary to prevent moisture entry and accumulation while also promoting efficient moisture removal and drying ability within the building envelope.

Key Topics Covered:
1. Importance of moisture management in the building envelope system.
2. Role of optimized exterior window installation in moisture control and prevention.
3. Identifying vulnerabilities and potential moisture intrusion points.
4. Moisture removal techniques and promoting drying ability.

Whether you are an architect, engineer, contractor, or building professional, this course offers a unique opportunity to enhance your expertise in moisture management, providing you with the tools necessary to create durable, energy-efficient, and healthy building environments. Don’t miss this chance to stay ahead in the evolving field of building science and ensure long-term success for your projects.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom I/II

Speakers

Darrell Paul, Senior Building Envelope Specialist, Qualistat Building Performance Consultants Ltd.

Harnessing the Power of Social Media: Unlocking Marketing Potential for New Home Sales

In the digital age, social media has become an essential tool for businesses to connect with their target audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. Join us for an engaging presentation that offers an overview of some popular social media platforms and how they can be indispensable tools for marketing in the building industry. This presentation provides an introduction to the world of social media marketing. We will explore how new home sales professionals and homebuilding business owners/operators can leverage social media platforms to increase their sales and gain a competitive edge.
Our expert speaker will cover essential topics such as creating a social media marketing plan, identifying and engaging with target audiences, developing compelling content, and measuring the effectiveness of social media marketing efforts. We will explore the best practices for utilizing social media tools like short videos and graphic design apps to build engaging content and augment your overall social media strategy.

Whether you are a new home sales professional, an entrepreneur in the homebuilding industry, or a marketing enthusiast seeking to expand your knowledge, this presentation is a must-attend event. Join us as we explore the potential of social media marketing and equip you with tools to thrive in today’s competitive digital landscape.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom III/IV

Speakers

Jessica McNabb, Real Estate Sales Expert & Social Media Coach

Carbon reduction is coming: Canadian Building Codes, ESG, and Planning for the Future

Making the home construction process cleaner is a growing priority for industry and government. Stronger environmental practices in our industry is not just beneficial natural spaces, but the bottom line as well. Join carbon industry experts to learn all about key ways to make your business more resilient and sustainable over the long term.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom I/II

Speakers

Moderator: Victoria Coffin, BCOM, JD, LEED, GA

Andrew Pride, P.Eng., LEED® AP, Principal Consultant, Andrew Pride Consulting

Chris Magwood, Director of Research, Builders for Climate Action

Phil Santana, Director of Sustainability, Mattamy Homes Canada

Roya Khaleel, Sustainability and ESG Leader

Ryan Zizzo, PEng, MASc, LEED AP ND, Founder & CEO, MANTLE DEVELOPMENTS

Managing Transitions: The Next Generation of Industry Principals

Succession planning is a crucial process that ensures the continuous and long-term success of any organization. Whether you are a current principal, a successor, or an industry professional interested in succession planning, this session will provide invaluable insights and practical guidance to ensure a smooth and successful transition process.

Our experts will share their experiences, strategies, and best practices for managing the transition of leadership. They will explore the complexities involved in managing a transition and provide insights into effective communication techniques, building consensus among family members or stakeholders, and fostering a culture of continuity and growth.

You will leave this session equipped with actionable insights, tools and strategies that can be implemented within your organization to manage successful transitions and ensure your business’s continued growth with prosperity.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom III/IV

Speakers

Jeff Noble CMC, FEA, FT Cert Dir, Director, Private Wealth Family Office, BDO

Multi-Family: Using Innovation and Design to Create Attainable, Attractive Multi-Family Housing

As the demand for housing continues to grow, it is crucial to stay ahead of the curve and deliver products that meet the needs and desires of today’s homebuyers.

This session will explore various aspects of multi-family homes, including the different typologies, modular construction, design elements, amenities, , and the renovation of existing properties into multifamily dwellings. You will walk away with new knowledge on how our sector can create exceptional, attainable, and appealing multiple-family housing styles that meets the needs of individuals and families.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom I/II

Speakers

Moderator: Rob Molinaro, Vice President & Owner, Molinaro Group

Brendan Charters, Development Manager, Eurodale Design + Build

Julian Novick, Development Manager, Wastell Homes

Naama Blonder, Architect, Urban Designer, Urban Planner|B.Arch, OAA, RPP, MCIP

How to Attract and Retain Tomorrow’s Talent

As Ontario strives to meet ambitious housing targets, while on the brink of a potential shortage of skilled trade workers, it’s important to understand the evolving methods of talent acquisition and retention in the industry.

Join us for an insightful session that explores strategies and best practices for attracting and retaining the next generation of homebuilding professionals. Explore how to leverage technology, social media, and educational programs to showcase the excitement, creativity, and opportunities available within the homebuilding industry.

As part of this session, we will highlight the OHBA Job Ready Program, dedicated to providing the industry with entry-level construction workers seeking a fruitful career in homebuilding. Learn about the program’s objectives, curriculum, and success stories, as well as how your organization can partner with the program to access a pool of job-ready talent. Gain insights into the benefits of investing in training and development programs that enhance the skillsets of new entrants and improve long-term employability within the homebuilding industry.

Together, let’s build a strong foundation for the future of our industry by investing in tomorrow’s talent today!

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom III/IV

Speakers

Moderator: Michael Lio, President buildABILITY Corporation

Dwayne Butler, President and Co-Owner, Master Edge Homes

Ian Howcroft, Chief Executive Officer, Skills Ontario

Klayton Gonçalves, Senior Economist and Head of Business Intelligence, Build Force Canada

Shauna McKenzie Onita, Manager, Economic and Workforce Development Strategies, The Career Foundation

Resiliency and New Canadian Building Codes: the next 1-10 years

The building code environment is set to change dramatically with harmonization of requirements and changes subsequent changes to building practices across Canada. With Ontario building the highest volume of housing stock by province, these changes will have a profound impact on how builders and renovators construct the next generation of housing. Join the panel discussion to learn about what critical changes are coming and how you can best prepare for the new building code environment.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom I/II

Speakers

Moderator: Andy Oding, Vice President, Building Knowledge Canada

Frank Lohmann, Director, Building Science, Canadian Home Builders’ Association

Mike Memme, Operations Manager, Mountainview Building Group

Pat Daniels, General Manager Construction Operations, Glenview Homes

Sonny Pirrotta, National Sales Manager, HVAC Solutions, Life and Devices Solutions Division, Panasonic Canada Inc.

Cultivate a Leadership Culture with Your Team: Empowering Success through Effective Leadership

Join us for an engaging and informative session that explores the importance of cultivating a leadership culture within your team and organization. Effective leadership is a cornerstone of success in the home building industry, and this session will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to develop and nurture a culture of leadership excellence.

During this session, we will dive into the key principles and practices that foster a leadership culture. Whether you are a team leader, manager, or aspiring leader, this session is designed to help you inspire and empower your team members to reach their full potential and achieve exceptional results.

Location: Village Conference Centre – Huron Grand Ballroom III/IV

Speakers

Marg Van Herk-Paradis, President, Credence & Co.

Conference Registration

Welcome to the final day of the OHBA Conference! Check in for another day of association business, or prepare the head out to your conference activity!
Have a question about where to go? We are here to help!

Location: Village Conference Centre – Atrium – Lower Level

Tuesday Breakfast

Grab a bite in the Village at Sunset Grill before a day of activities and Celebrations!

All business program packages will receive a voucher for breakfast.

Location: Village Conference Centre

Conference Activities

Whether you are looking to relax or network with industry experts, there is something for everyone with our conference activities.

Building Connections BBQ

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Location: Georgian Bay Ballroom

Spa Day in the Village

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Location: iwa Spa – Located in Mosaic

Awards of Distinction – Pre-Reception

Get the celebrations started at the AoD Pre-Reception and prepare to cheer on our finalists and winners!

Attire: Semi-Formal
Location: Village Conference Centre – The Courts

Awards of Distinction Gala

Get ready to celebrate excellence in Ontario’s home-building industry at the highly anticipated 2023 OHBA Awards of Distinction Gala!

A night of recognition, this event honours the outstanding contributions of builders, developers, renovators, and industry professionals who have redefined the standards of innovation and craftsmanship.

Hosted by Comedian, TV Personality and Writer Graham Chittenden, this celebration is sure to be an unforgettable night!

Attire: Semi-Formal
Location: Village Conference Centre – The Courts

Awards of Distinction Gala – Post Reception

Keep the celebrations going at the AoD Post Reception! Congratulate our finalists and winners, and network with clients new and old at the last event of the conference.

Attire: Semi-Formal
Location: Village Conference Centre – The Courts