Greetings to BCA Members:
As we progress through the busy 2016 summer building season, your BCA staff enjoys the opportunity of reaching out to you, the membership, with an update on what we have been working on over the past six months. In short, it has been a busy period. We have been focused on expanding the content of our plans room, our networking and fundraising events, and we continue to develop relationships with our procurement partners. Supporting all of these efforts, I must acknowledge the hard work of your BCA team: Alicia Blow, Bryony Buchanan and Sue Thomson.
Please note the following highlights of our efforts in procurement, education, networking and member care:
Procurement
Members and local procurement staff joined in roundtable discussions at our Constructing Relations… Constructing Solutions event at Tangle Creek. All participants learned how to communicate more effectively simply by asking the right questions.
This year is shaping up to be a record high for the number of projects hosted in the BCA online plan room, Best- Bidz. We have had more than 900 projects posted at the mid-point in the year (which now includes many projects in the Greater Toronto area…You spoke, we listened!). We hope that as a BCA member you are taking full advantage of the online plan viewing. You’re not? Give us a call and we can have you viewing plans and specs in no time.
Partnering with the Simcoe County Heavy Construction Association (SCHCA), the BCA will once again host a fall golf tournament at National Pines. Buyers of construction will be partnered up with BCA and SCHCA members to develop new connections and open the lines of communication in a relaxed, stress-free environment.
Stay tuned for additional networking opportunities as we will be hosting an Economic Forecast – a panel of local public spenders will walk us through their budgets for 2017.
Education
BCA has a busy training schedule and members are taking full advantage of the competitively priced safety training, industry standards courses and the always popular Lunch & Learns. Industry experts have presented on Fleet Management, Small Claims Court, Hiring & Firing, Employment Standards, Construction Contracts, Defence Construction eBidding, Drugs & Alcohol in the Workplace, Working with Local Condo Boards and Safety Compliance and more. All of our Lunch & Learns are FREE for BCA members! Watch your inbox for upcoming sessions on Bridgit – punch list software to facilitate close-outs, Enbridge Gas – Savings by Design and Sexual Harassment & Violence in the Workplace.
Students earned Gold Seal credits by completing our Blueprint Reading 101 course and members recently became CoR Certified as we facilitated this course run by the IHSA.
The BCA is your source to purchase all CCA and CCDC documents and seals, including the new CCDC 2MA Master Agreement and the CCDC 29 A Guide to Prequalification. You can order online from our website or call the office. We are your one stop source for construction related materials such as Green Books and site signage.
Networking
The ‘always sold-out’ BCA hockey tournament proved to be an action packed day as teams battled for bragging rights. In the end it was LafargeHolcim that won the cup.
We hosted our Annual General Meeting at Barrie’s newest watering hole – The RedLine Brewhouse. Although BCA president Russ Kerr struggled to be heard during his address to the members, all in attendance enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, the great food and seeing friends both old and new.
Who doesn’t love the BCA spring golf tournament!?! Another great event where members can relax and network at the same time.
The Ride for Cancer had motorcycles touring throughout the Haliburton Highlands this year. A fantastic committee organized prizes, a BBQ lunch, route signage and raised more than $12,000!
Members old and new gathered at one of Barrie’s favourite establishments – Wickies Pub & Restaurant for our Pub Night and we managed to corral everyone for a fantastic group shot.
On Aug. 25 we will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Join us in the festivities, along with local dignitaries, past presidents and employees and our local procurement partners.
Member care
BCA members can take advantage of many special discounts through our affinity program. Savings can be had on insurance, fuel, accommodations, business forms and much, much more. Details on all the great offerings can be found on the BCA website.
Each year we update and publish our Member Directory. This useful tool guides the buyers of construction directly to YOU. Copies are distributed hot off the press to all of the local procurement staff.
Another useful tool for those looking to buy what you sell is our website. The online directory, with alpha and divisional search capability, means that your products and services are at the fingertips of local buyers. FREE to all members is the details section…Send us your company history or project portfolio and we will add it to your listing.
Access to industry forms such as substantial completion forms, CCDC 9A and B, health and safety checklists etc. can be found at the ‘Industry Tools’ button on the BCA home page.
Don’t forget to connect! Find current news and comments on Facebook and Twitter.
In terms of our 2016 Board of Directors, you will find 13 very committed men and women representing the membership. This dedicated group were chosen by the membership and are extremely engaged with the BCA and the various committees they serve on. It has been a distinct privilege to serve with this fine group of people from the industry – all of whom I consider friends.
I look forward to seeing everyone at upcoming events, and please feel free to drop by the BCA for a visit with the team at any time.
Thank you, Alison Smith
