Mark your calendars! – EDUCATION SUMMIT 2025 returns on October 8–9, 2025! Don’t miss out on BC’s premier event for the construction industry. Check out the Summit page below for details!
Discover a standout program at this year’s Summit, crafted for professionals in the building and construction industry. Whether you’re a builder, architect, engineer, or building officials our sessions will provide the latest insights, forward-thinking strategies, and practical skills to help you stay ahead in your field.
7:30am – 8:30am
SESSION DESCRIPTION
How do you articulate your concerns during the permitting and inspection processes? What strategies do you need to apply when resolving conflicts?
This seminar is focused on helping you do exactly that: to communicate more effectively and collaborate across multiple audiences. You’ll learn to frame your requests clearly and follow up effectively, while also addressing potential conflicts and issues, through applying persuasive techniques. You’ll also apply escalation techniques when delays occur.
SPEAKER BIO
ERIC TUNG | PROLEPSIS CONSULTING
Eric Tung has over 20 years of experience developing and delivering custom training seminars and programs for a number of firms and associations, on topics including customer service, negotiations, leadership, sales, change management, facilitation, presentations, and technical and business communications. Eric is also a senior business transformation and change management consultant, where he advises firms on large-scale organizational-wide changes. His clients range from smaller firms to larger organizations such as the City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, BC Hydro, and TELUS.
In addition to training seminars and consulting, Eric is also a Business Communications Lecturer at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, and an English Instructor at UBC’s Extended Learning, where he teaches business and technical writing courses.
8:30am – 9:30am
SPEAKER BIO
CHERYL POUNDER
Cheryl Pounder is a celebrated former Canadian Women’s hockey player who transitioned from the ice to the stage with remarkable success. A two-time Olympic Gold medalist (2002, 2006) and six-time
IIHF World Champion, Cheryl’s athletic journey began with an Under-18 Canadian National championship in the early 1990s. Her achievements reflect her dedication, skill, and leadership both on and off the ice.
Beyond hockey, Cheryl is a sought-after speaker who inspires audiences through engaging, passionate, and interactive presentations. She has delivered keynotes for organizations such as Tim Hortons, CIBC, TD Bank, and the City of Toronto. Cheryl draws from her experiences with adversity, teamwork, and perseverance to help others embrace change, build confidence, and strive for excellence.
A native of Mississauga, Cheryl earned a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology and physical education from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she captained the ice hockey team. She was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005 and continues to motivate as a colour commentator for TSN and CBC’s Olympic coverage of women’s hockey.
9:30am – 10:00am
10:00am – 11:00am
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Presented by staff from the Construction Safety and Digital Solutions Branch, this informative session will cover the latest updates to the BC Building Permit Hub, a provincial tool designed to assist builders in submitting building permit applications through a streamlined and standardized process across the diverse jurisdictions in British Columbia.
A key highlight will be the introduction of a draft drawing standards guide for Part 9, new residential projects of up to four units. This guide aims to enhance the quality of drawings submitted, reduce permit review times, and promote consistency in design practices among builders throughout B.C.
11:00am – 11:15am
11:15am – 12:15pm
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Presented by the Engineers and Geoscientists BC, this session focuses on key aspects of Schedules and Letters of Assurance under the BC Building Code. This session will delve into the legal responsibilities and implications, and the necessary steps professionals must take to ensure compliance with the BC Building Code, including:
12:15pm – 1:15pm
1:15pm – 2:15pm
SESSION DESCRIPTION
About Urbanarium: Urbanarium provides Metro Vancouver with a platform for the discussion of ideas and issues about the planning and design of communities – how urban systems and the forces acting on them work, what urban futures might happen and what we can do to affect those outcomes. Urbanarium issues bi-annual open invitations to designers around the world to develop and present innovative solutions that enhance community vitality. These long-form events are rare opportunities for young architects, planners, designers and residents to solve issues at the local level while participating in international competition.
Urbanarium will lead a session on their design competitions, including the output and possible policy impacts:
Summit participants will be the first group to have the design ideas and policy impacts of Decoding Timber Towers as it will have just been completed
2:15pm – 2:45pm
2:45pm – 3:45pm
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session will provide insights on Building Code compliance as viewed through the lenses of building officials and industry professionals, focusing on two essential topics: passive radon mitigation and lateral load resistance for Part 9 residential construction. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with knowledgeable experts who will share their experiences and perspectives on Building Code interpretations and enforcement.
SPEAKER BIOS
BRANDON BOLEN | BOLEN ENGINEERING INC.
Brandon is an experienced engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the structural engineering industry. He is skilled in Structural Engineering Design including full substructure and superstructure design of buildings, retaining walls, helical pile foundations, heavy timber design, structural steel design, and reinforced concrete design. Brandon has extensive experience providing detailed structural condition reports for building damage or building renovations.
He is a dedicated engineering professional with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) focused in Structural Engineering from the University of British Columbia.
ANDY CHRISTIE | BOABC
Andy Christie is a Registered Building Official who works for the City of Kimberley located in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia. Starting in 2008, Andy has worked in the Kootenay region with the Regional District of East Kootenay and the City of Cranbrook as a Building Official. Before becoming a Building Official, Andy was employed as timber framer, carpenter and commercial construction site supervisor. Projects ranged from 25 million dollar homes in Whistler BC to re-building arena roofs in Kimberley and have offered a wide range of skills and construction knowledge. Andy’s inspection process is solution based and he is extremely resourceful in providing options to the local building community to achieve their aesthetic goals and Code compliance. Having a passion for sustainability has influenced everything Andy works on with the City of Kimberley and he often speaks to a broad range of groups about the successes with energy efficiency and sustainabilty in Kimberley.
When not working, Andy enjoys spending time with his family, wood working in his home shop, cheering on the local hockey team and the multitude of recreation activities that living in the mountains affords.
TANYA REID | BOABC
After taking drafting extensively through high school, Tania attended Thompson Rivers University and received an Engineering Design & Drafting Technology Diploma. Through her schooling and after graduation, she worked as a drafting technologist in a variety of settings including a mechanical engineering firm, a prefabricated home manufacturer, an architectural and planning office, a municipal office, and her own drafting business. She received formal management training through Okanagan College and the National Coaching Certification Program.
Tania has been with the Building & Permitting department at the City of Kelowna since 2006 as a Plan Checker and Building Inspector. Currently, she maintains the Registered Building Official (RBO) title with the BOABC and previously she held designations as an Architectural Technologist (AT) with the Architects Institute of BC (AIBC) and a Building Technologist (AScT) with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC).
As an active member of the Taneda Karate Dojo, she is a volunteer instructor and referee at tournaments. She previously served as a BC Winter Games Coach as well as Treasurer for BC Chito-kai. Tania has volunteered her time to serve on the BOABC Examination Committee since 2015 and is currently serving her second term as the Director for the South Central Interior Zone.
She is a devoted martial artist and enjoys camping with her husband and two children.
3:45pm – 4:30pm
New for 2025, the Education Summit will have an optional exam component. Builders who are submitting for CPD through BC Housing may opt in to write a short open book exam at the end of each day. The exam will test on content covered from that day’s sessions. Successful completion of the Day 1 exam will award builders an additional 5 CPD points.
4:30pm – 6:30pm
Kick off Night 1 with a relaxed evening of connections and conversation. Enjoy a complimentary drink, light appetizers and the chance to explore the Exhibitor Showcase. It’s the perfect opportunity to network with fellow builders and industry professionals, while taking some time to meet and learn from the exhibitors who help bring the Summit to life.
*Open to all registered delegates, sponsors and exhibitors.
7:30am – 8:30am
8:30am – 9:30am
SESSION DESCRIPTION
This session is dedicated to exploring significant changes anticipated in the next edition of the National Model Codes. The 2025 National Model Codes are expected to be published in December 2025, following which Provinces will have 18 months to review and analyse the changes and develop their variations, with the adoption timeline of mid 2027.
An overview of key proposed changes approved for the National Model Codes 2025 will be provided, focusing on Part 9 residential buildings. Topics will include:
9:30am – 10:00am
10:00am – 11:00am
11:00am – 11:15am
11:15am – 12:15pm
12:15pm – 1:15pm
1:15pm – 2:15pm
SESSION DESCRIPTION
An overview of some of the real-world consequences of non-compliance, as well as solutions and prevention strategies to help reduce defects in new residential construction.
SPEAKER BIO
BRENDAN BOBBY | TRAVELERS
Brendan is a Red Seal Carpenter with nearly 20 years of experience in residential construction. After nearly a decade in the field, he traded in his tool belt for a career in the new home warranty industry.
His role as Senior Technical Representative for Travelers Canada gives him a unique perspective on new home warranty and customer service, and daily, he sees the perspective of dissatisfied homeowners while assisting builders toward resolution with their clients.
2:15pm – 2:45pm
2:45pm – 3:45pm
SESSION DESCRIPTION
Based on recent insights from LEEP’s Net Zero Wall Assemblies Guide, this session delves into the building science principles and practical construction techniques for advanced Part 9 wall assemblies, while also addressing compliance with Building Code.
SPEAKER BIOS
MARK BERNHARDT | BERNHARDT CONTRACTING
Mark is the President of Bernhardt Contracting Ltd., a former President of CHBA BC, and a licensed builder based in Victoria, BC. In 2012, Bernhardt Contracting built the first Certified Passive House on Vancouver Island and has since gone on to build or consult on dozens more.
Mark is also a Certified Energy Advisor and Passive House Consultant, and over the past year has spent much of his time helping other builders gear up for Step Code and higher performance buildings. He serves on several provincial code committees and chairs the CHBA BC technical committee. He is also the CEO of Energy Code Solutions, a new company formed for the purpose of using big data and automation to inform design and code compliance across the country.
TERRY KOWAL | CHBA BC
Terry is currently the Policy Advisor, Codes and Standards with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association BC. Previously, Terry served as the Manager of Building Inspection and Business Licensing for the City of Kelowna, where he worked for 19 years. Before his tenure at the City of Kelowna, Terry was part of a Kelowna-based structural engineering firm that handled diverse projects, including highway bridges, water reservoirs, high-rise and mid-rise buildings, and custom housing.
Terry is recognized for his ability to bring logic and clarity to even the most illogical situations, a skill likely honed from his experience managing a family grain and livestock farm.
3:45pm – 4:30pm
New for 2025, the Education Summit will have an optional exam component. Builders who are submitting for CPD through BC Housing may opt in to write a short open book exam at the end of each day. The exam will test on content covered from that day’s sessions. Successful completion of the Day 2 exam will award builders an additional 6 CPD points.
