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"This was absolutely the best [conference] so far," said BOB RASMUS, of the 65th annual Canadian Home Builders' Association conference, which took place in Whistler, British Columbia in April and had its best
turnout in years. The conference seemed to return the compliment when Rasmus, a member of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association, received the Canadian Renovators' Council Award for "a significant contribution to the renovation industry and exemplary leadership qualities within the Association."
This year's theme, "Building Dreams", was addressed and celebrated during various activities such as business sessions, social events, and awards ceremonies. First-time attendee WAYNE BUDGE of Winnipeg said the conference was excellent - "It certainly built my dreams."
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Special guests and speakers challenged, inspired, and entertained conference delegates throughout the weekend. Canadian Football League star MICHAEL "PINBALL" CLEMONS told CHBA members they are "more than heroes" because they build not only homes but also dreams. "You build the very foundation of life. And that makes you something to look up to."
Leading science journalist BOB MCDONALD warned conference delegates about the way Canadians waste energy and challenged them to "change the way we turn our wheels." On a happier note, entrepreneur and venture capitalist LEONARD BRODY predicted that between 2010 and 2015, "Canada will become the most competitive economy in the world" and pointed out that since the early 1950s, Canada has been the only G8 nation to consistently produce a surplus budget.
JOEL COHEN, writer and co-executive producer of The Simpsons, translated his success in television comedy into lessons home builders can apply to their business environments, and Royal Canadian Air Farce's JESSICA HOLMES regaled attendees at the President's Dinner with her impersonations of celebrities such as Celine Dion.
American Standard and Trane Canada presented the 2007 CHBA National SAM Awards to "the Dreambuilders" of the year. Top honours, the Grand SAM Award, went to Homes by Avi Edmonton Inc. of Sherwood Park, Alberta.
The CHBA's national awards program recognized GARNET KINDERVATER, of CHBA - Eastern Newfoundland and a former CHBA national president, as outstanding builder member of the year and presented him with the Beaver Award.
Plans are already underway for the 66th annual conference in Quebec City, February 27 to March 1, 2009 at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, with the theme "Meet the Past, Plan the Future". Visit www.chba.ca/conference for details.
HB Staff, with thanks to CHBA
