Bigger is Better at

Builders' Night Gala

WCA Welcomes New Communications Coordinator

WCA Education

CCA Weekly:

August GDP Shows Construction Increase

Gold Seal Update

WCA Buyers' Guide and Online Membership Directory

ProEst Takeoff 2009

Conflict Resolution

Workshop Upcoming

WCA OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Opening Doors Parents' Expo

Alliance of MB Sector Councils

1000 Waverly Street

Saturday, November 7, 2009

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Connect to the right career HERE

2009 Calendar

 

Visit www.winnipegconstruction.ca for full schedule details or call

Kelly Thiessen at

775-8664 x 2225

*Most courses can be used

toward the Gold Seal Program*

WCA Welcomes its newest members:

Allied Roofing Inc.

Jacques Beaulieu

Henderson Electrical Services

Trevor Henderson

Granite Mountain Stone Design

Trevor Ferens

Visit www.winnipegconstruction.ca for membership information or call Kelly Thiessen at

775-8664 x 2225

For technical difficulties regarding the Online Planroom, please contact:

Eric Sigurdson

Online Planroom Training Session Dates:

November 25

December 8

Sign up NOW!

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Add Me To The List

* Please note: WCA members are already on the list to receive this newsletter *

Take Me Off The List

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November 6, 2009                

 

Bigger is Better at Builders' Night Gala

Attendance was capped at Winnipeg Construction Association’s recent 11th annual Builders’ Night Gala, where a record number of guests were evidence of the soiree’s soaring popularity. On Friday, October 30, 2009, 938 guests made it their mandate to mix and mingle with friends and acquaintences in the construction industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, the event was adorned with everything a fabulous party should, including a regal red carpet, martini and cappuccino bar, silent and builders’ auction, and a myriad of colourful lights.

A meal of mouth-watering proportions enticed attendees to move away from the many bars and take their seats. The menu featured Roasted Yellow Pepper and Black Bean Bisque, a Cucumber Tower of Micro Greens with Mango and Cracked Peppercorn Vinaigrette, a Local Mixed Grill that included Roast Marinated Medallion of Beef “Marsala” and Grilled Chicken Supreme “Chasseur” served with Yukon Gold Potato and Roast Garlic Flan, buttered asparagus spears, grilled bell peppers and mushroom and onion sauté. Frozen Soufflé Cone of Papaya and Grand Marnier with Cassis Coulis topped off the delectable dinner.

Following the feast, Maritime Canada’s Jimmy the Janitor entertained the audience with his good clean fun. Jimmy the Janitor, aka Sandy Gillis, is a regular on CBC Television and the Comedy Network and is currently heard coast to coast on his daily radio comedy show “Jimmy Live.”

The Ron Paley Band rocked the dance floor for another year with popular dance hits and smooth tunes. In addition to a variety of large ticket silent auction items, attendees also had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the Builders’ Auction prizes, courtesy of Builders’ Night Gala 2009 sponsors.

Proceeds from Builders’ Night go toward the new WCA Endowment Fund for Construction Management at Red River College.

WCA would like to thank the Builders’ Night Gala 2008 Presents sponsor, AQ Group Solutions; Wine sponsor, Derksen Plumbing & Heating (1984) Ltd.; Martini Bar sponsor, Master Roofing Ltd.; Cappuccino Bar sponsor, Concord Projects Ltd.; Flower sponsor, McCaine Electric Ltd.; Parking sponsor, Parkwest Projects Ltd., as well as the many other companies who contributed to the Silent and Builders' Auctions.

Thank you to the Winnipeg Construction Association staff who helped coordinate this exciting event.

Thank you to our generous Sponsors!

Platinum

Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc.

AQ Group Solutions

Carlson Commercial & Industrial Services Ltd.

Caspian Construction Inc.

Derksen Plumbing & Heating (1984) Ltd.

E.H. Price Ltd.

Parkwest Projects Ltd.

Gold

Bird Construction Co.

Bockstael Construction Ltd.

Comstock Canada Ltd.

Concord Projects Ltd.

Di-Tech International Inc.

Lafarge Canada Inc.

Master Roofing Ltd.

McCaine Electric Ltd.

M.D. Steele Construction Ltd.

PCL Constructors Canada Inc.

Silver

Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP

Antex Western Ltd.

Buckwold Western Ltd.

East Side Ventilation

Ken Palson Enterprises Ltd.

MOSKAL electric ltd.

Oakwood Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. Ltd.

Shopost Iron Works (1989) Ltd.

Bronze

All Weather Windows

City Mix Inc.

Pinchin Environmental

Richlu Manufacturing

Winnipeg Convention Centre

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WCA Welcomes New Communications Coordinator

The Winnipeg Construction Association welcomes aboard Mitch Calvert in the role of Communications Coordinator. He effectively takes the reins from Twila Driedger, on a one-year placement. Twila's new role as mom will include diaper duty and many sleepless nights.

Mitch most recently worked as a journalist for the Fort Frances Times daily newspaper, and also has a background in corporate communications dating back to his tenure with the Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club.

He completed his post-secondary degree jointly through the Red River College’s Creative Communications program and the University of Winnipeg in 2007.

Mitch will handle all the day-to-day communications within the association, which includes but is not limited to the production of Upword magazine and the WCA newsletter.

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WCA Education

Minimize Your Risk by Using CCA Standard Subcontracts

Friday, November 20, 2009 - 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Location: WCA - 290 Burnell St.

Description: Sub-contractors and general contractors alike often struggle with the creation and use of sub contract documents.  Everyone in the industry can benefit by ensuring that subcontracts minimize the risk to both parties through using industry standard subcontract documents. Learn the advantage of using standardized subcontracts, and common mistakes to watch for.  Polish your skills and complete one actual standard subcontract in class.

Cost: $100.00 + GST (WCA Members)

Register NOW!

Doing Business with the Government

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Hilton Suites, Winnipeg Airport

Description: WCA & Public Works Government Services Canada (PWGSC) are pleased to bring…….Information on the federal government procurement process and the required security clearance process.  PWGSC is the federal government’s main buyer of goods, services and construction.  The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) will show suppliers how to navigate the government purchasing system, gain access to government contracts and learn more about the bidding process.

Cost: $50.00 + GST (WCA Members)

Register NOW!

Effective Bidding and Tendering - COMING SOON!

Friday, December 4, 2009

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CCA Weekly

August GDP Shows Construction Increase

Real gross domestic product decreased 0.1% in August after being unchanged in July. Construction advanced 0.2% in August, the first increase since October 2008. A rise in engineering and repair work eclipsed reductions in both new residential and non-residential building construction. Residential alterations and improvement work advanced. Read more.

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Gold Seal UPDATE

Gold Seal Presentation

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Location: Akins Room, WCA Office - 290 Burnell Street

Description: Find out how you can obtain your Gold Seal Certification. Get started now!

Cost: No Charge (WCA Members)

REGISTER NOW!

Gold Seal Reminder: Time is running out!

Due to the recent changes in the examination requirements, all automatic eligibilities for CSO, CEC and PQS applicants will expire on December 31, 2009. If you hold one of these three designations and are interested in challenging the appropriate Gold Seal exam, applications must be submitted to Kelly Thiessen at WCA by December 31, 2009.

The next Gold Seal exam is slated for January 22, 2010.

For more information, visit www.goldsealcertification.com or contact Kelly Thiessen, Gold Seal Administrator, Winnipeg Construction Association, at kellythiessen@winnipegconstruction.ca or 775-8664 x 2225.

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WCA Buyers' Guide and Online Membership Directory

With the fall season in the wings and winter not far behind, membership renewal will be upon us before you know it.  In the past year we have had several inquiries as to why a member company is not listed on the WCA website under the “Membership Directory” or in the 2009 WCA Directory & Buyers’ Guide.

If you are a new member, please complete and return the Buyers’ Guide form that was given to you upon joining to ensure your company’s Buyers’ Guide category choices are listed in our database, on the website and in the current Buyers’ Guide.

Long-time WCA member companies not listed in the online “Membership Directory” can contact WCA to add their company to the listing.

The WCA Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide is produced annually and each member company receives one copy at no charge. 

 

It is imperative that you notify the WCA offices of any changes within your company, including contacts, emails, addresses, etc. so that we can keep our database and directories up-to-date. Please check your company’s current listing and let us know of any changes. Thank you.

WCA website address:   www.winnipegconstruction.ca

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ProEst Takeoff 2009

Perform tasks 50 per cent faster and save thousands on printing costs with Digital Takeoff Technology. This is an innovative software solution that revolutionizes the way construction companies perform takeoffs.  Instead of using paper plans and manual methods or a digitizer, ProEst Takeoff allows estimators to perform takeoffs using on-screen digital plans and a mouse.  The ability to view two plan sets at one time makes it easy to toggle between job specifications and the actual takeoff.  And grid patterns, with best fit rotation, ensure quick material calculations.

Find out more about ProEst Takeoff 2009 HERE.

Download Free Trial: Can ProEst Takeoff save your company time, space and money?  Download your free trial to find out: http://proest.com/wca

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Conflict Resolution Workshop Slated

The Manitoba Construction Sector Council, in conjunction with the Alliance of Manitoba Sector Councils and Building Better Workplaces, is set to provide a workshop for members of the construction sector on Friday, Nov. 20 in Boardroom #1 at 1000 Waverley Street in Winnipeg (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). 

This training workshop will focus on enhancing supervisors' capabilities to more effectively deal with misunderstandings and disagreements that often lead to conflicts in the workplace. 

  

To register, please contact Sherri Polden of MCSC at spolden@mbcsc.com or 272-5092.  The workshop fee is $40 per attendee. 

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Comments or Questions?

Email: wca@winnipegconstruction.ca Visit our Web site at www.winnipegconstruction.ca

Winnipeg Construction Association is located at 290 Burnell Street, Winnipeg, MB  R3G 2A7 • (204) 775-8664

Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2009.