Opus Vancouver
322 Davie Street
For special rate use this link to book: National Floor Covering Association
KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Chris Gardner, President
The construction industry accounts for about 10% of Canada’s economy but is far too often left out of discussions about what is required to build stronger communities, attract investment and create jobs and opportunities that are key to our long-term prosperity. The construction story is about technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and a highly skilled workforce facing a regulatory framework that is holding the industry back.
Chris has led the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (“ICBA”) as President since 2017. Under his leadership ICBA has grown to become the largest construction association in Canada and one of the largest business organizations in the country with more than 4,500 members and clients, administering health and dental plans for 175,000 people. Last year, ICBA expanded outside of BC with the establishment of ICBA Alberta.
Before joining ICBA, Chris was a senior executive at two of the largest modular construction companies in North America. He served as principal secretary to the 35th Premier of British Columbia, the Hon. Christy Clark and lived in Asia for 11 years working for one of South Korea’s largest law firms and for Samsung Electronics.
Chris serves on the Board of Directors of BuildForce Canada, an organization that identifies demand and supply trends that will impact labour force capacity in construction in Canada. BuildForce also leads programs that support workforce upskilling, and workforce productivity improvements.
Chris has a Juris Doctor in law from the Peter Allard School of Law at UBC and a Bachelor of Arts from SFU.
With a billion dollar per year moisture problem now reportedly ballooning to 3 billion, something is clearly amiss. Subsequently, the question of how-to moisture test concrete accurately and reduce this growing problem was put to a committee of 65 people (over 45 different organizations including manufacturers, distributors, constructors, flooring contractors, and concrete specialists). The purpose – to create a document that would spell out Moisture Testing Best Practices and be shared free of charge with the industry. This document highlights correct practices and encourages change to existing manufacturer installation instructions with the goal of reducing the growing number of claims related to this issue. Four of those committee members – among some of the best minds in the industry will be talking about this new document.
Bob is one of the foremost concrete authorities in North America having been involved with concrete waterproofing, repair and restoration since 1976.
He authored the World Floor Covering Association’s (WFCA): Industry Position on Moisture Testing in 2001. He Chaired and was a member of several committees in concrete (first Chairperson for ICRI – Moisture testing).
He was an Instructor for the Academy of Textiles and Flooring, Senior Inspection Course from 1994 to 1997, and a Construction Defects Expert since 1985.
In addition, Bob is also a Speaker and Presenter at various local, national and international conferences, including Building Sciences, Construction Specifications Institute, ACI, SSPC and many others.
After serving in the military for 3 1/2 years, Larry joined his family’s floor-covering business. His journey began with installation work, over time, obtaining a contractor’s license to install in California. He worked with various floor-covering dealers and private homeowners.
He then started managing installers for larger shops, working his way up from supervisor to managing up to 45 installers with office staff. The field posed many challenges, from residential to commercial projects.
Throughout his 45-year career on the installation side, Larry has gained a wealth of knowledge and understanding from some great minds and individuals in the floor covering industry.
As he nears the end of his career, he’s excited to be working for Tarkett as he always wanted to experience this side of our industry. He’s now eager to pass on his knowledge to future generations as giving back is an important part of his legacy.
Working with Ardex Americas in the Technical Service Department since 1991, Seth leads the ARDEXacademy Training Program. His areas of expertise are Concrete, Moisture in Concrete, Proper Substrate Preparation, Underlayments, Toppings and Decorative Applications.
He has been certified in Substrate and Subfloor Inspection as well as Substrate and Subfloor Preparation.
Seth is active in many industry associations and standards organizations including ASTM, FCICA, STARNET, INSTALL, IICRC, NAFCT and MMSA. He also serves as the NAFCT chair for Substrate and Subfloor Preparation Certification and as the IICRC Chair for the ISSI Certification.
Keith led the specifications team in DIALOG’s Edmonton studio and has helped build the high standards of specifications excellence within DIALOG’s firm‑wide guide documentation.
Keith is a leader in the specifications community and is committed to fostering the next generation of specifiers. He has developed and instructed several courses that explored topics such as sustainable material selection, understanding construction specifications, construction administration practices and introductory blueprint reading.
Keith approaches his work with an eye towards sustainable and durable construction and believes that the key to a successful project is to have informed engagement and shared decision-making opportunities for all project participants.
Hotel room reservations can be booked here: Opus Hotel – National Floor Covering Association
