The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is thrilled to announce that our marquee event, the 2024 Annual Conference will take place March 12-15 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. CCA’s National Advisory Council (NAC) meetings and Annual General Meeting (AGM) will also take place at the same location. This multi-day industry event will bring together leaders from across the country for incredible content, networking and to celebrate our member’s accomplishments through our National Awards program.
Conference day 1 ─ Tuesday, March 12, 2024
08:00 – ongoing | Buses depart for spousal/off-site activities
See activities available for individual sign-up Tours from Punta Cana
Location: Lobby roundabout
08:00 – 14:00 | CCA 2024 annual golf tournament sponsored by Zurich Canada
Location: Cocotal Golf & Country Club
Sponsored by
13:30 – 18:00 | Free time
18:00 – 21:00 | Welcoming night opening dinner presented by Travelers Canada
Prepare to be captivated by the magic of a tropical paradise as we set the stage for an unforgettable conference kick-off. Join us for a spectacular welcoming night reception and dinner on the beach, complete with a mesmerizing fire show, all brought to you by Travelers Canada.
Conference day 2 ─ Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Theme: Infrastructure investment
07:00 – 01:30 pm | Conference registration desk
Location: Bavaro foyer
07:15 – 08:00 | Breakfast (at leisure)
08:00 – 09:30 | Opening keynote presented by Aon
Juno award-winning musician turned entrepreneur and AI advocate David Usher will focus on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its integration into construction and the workplace, providing attendees with invaluable knowledge on leveraging AI for enhanced productivity and success in the construction sector.
09:45 – 10:45 | Fix our Roads!
Breakout 1
Provincial governments in Canada are known to be less than forthcoming about reporting on the condition and planning of taxpayer-funded highway assets. But the public can see and feel the deterioration in Canada’s highways and municipal roads.
Legislators often pay less attention to longer-term group interests tending to focus on immediate connections with individuals through social media. Advocacy organizations must adapt by adding public campaigns that educate the public and allow them to amplify our message.
The results of Alberta’s “Fix Our Roads!” campaign proves the massive public support for highways and concerns over their management.
Speakers
Ron Glen
Location: Bavaro 1-2
Sponsored by REVAY
09:45 – 10:45 | CCDC documents: Hot-button topics roundtable
Breakout 2
Join CCDC document authors as they explore some of the most pressing issues experienced by contractors across Canada. Their discussion will centre around issues such as force majeure, cumulative impact of changes, and contractors’ entitlement upon termination.
11:00 – 12:00 | Future-proofing infrastructure for sustainability
Breakout 1
Given Canada’s commitments to net-zero and other important environmental goals, the call to future-proof our infrastructure for sustainability has never been more urgent. We’ll explore how sustainability practices can be integrated into critical infrastructure planning and the path forward for construction.
Speakers
Shane Mulligan | Matt Pitcairn | Jolene McLaughlin
Location: Bavaro 1-2
Sponsored by REVAY
11:00 – 12:00 | Re-engineering work processes to free capacity and drive front-line value
Breakout 2
Join senior leaders from Graham Construction as they share their work on their core “business-critical” processes to remove non-value-added activities and redirect time and energy back to their front-line team members and partners.
Speakers
Richard Ellis-Smith | Taylor Sanders
Location: Bavaro 3-5
Sponsored by REVAY
12:00 – 14:30 | Lunch buffet (at leisure)
13:00 – 14:30 | Sharing best practices: Association leaders roundtable
Session (by invitation only – COOs, Association board volunteers]
Join us for an enriching session dedicated to collective learning to advance best practices in our associations as we discuss:
- Recruiting, orienting, and retaining committed and effective board members
- Volunteer fatigue and time commitments (annual and total tenure)
- Association funding structures, membership dues, sponsorship, and programming
Location: Bavaro Ballroom VI
14:30 – 17:00 | Afternoon fun party presented by EllisDon Corporation and Intact Surety
Networking activity
Get ready to soak up the sun and let the good times roll! Elevate your conference networking experience with joy and laughter at the exclusive ‘afternoon pool party’ – where the networking is as refreshing as the water!
Dive-in or lounge by the pool; the choice is yours! This event promises an unforgettable blend of games, laughter, and delectable bites. Thanks to our incredible sponsors, EllisDon Corporation and Intact Surety, for making this event possible!
Location: Main pool
Presented by
Conference day 3 ─ Thursday, March 14, 2024
Theme: Workforce
07:15 – 08:00 | Breakfast
08:00 – 01:30 | Conference registration desk
Location: Bavaro foyer
8:30 – 10:00 | CCA National Awards ceremony presented by Northbridge Insurance
Start your morning with a celebration of our industry as we recognize exceptional individuals, achievements in innovation, sustainability, safety, Gold Seal, workplace development, bettering communities, and, of course, the work done by partner associations on behalf of you, the members.
10:15 – 11:15 | The Innovator’s Pitch – CONtact
Take a look into the future as three mentees, selected from the CONtact mentorship program, present their exciting innovations; and you, the audience, selects the one that has the most promise. From concrete made of bacteria to 3D measurement techniques aided by drones and artificial intelligence, this session has profiled a number of noteworthy products and services.
The next game-changer for construction could be presented here, and you can be a part of making it happen.
Speakers
Siamak Akhlaghi | Jordan Spencer | Taylor Davis
11:15 – 12:15 | Opportunities and challenges in leveraging immigration to attract workers
Breakout 1
This session provides a perspective on current immigration policies and practices and potential solutions to benefit the construction industry.
Speakers
Bill Ferreira
Location: Bavaro 1-2
Sponsored by Ledcor Group of Companies
11:15 – 12:15 | Electoral readiness and election proofing
Breakout 2
The next federal election is expected to take place in 2024, and current polling data indicates a potential change of leadership in Ottawa. Elections and changes in government can be disruptive events for industries and associations. Proactively planning for electoral readiness can allow your organization to mitigate risks associated with this disruption, and election-proofing can help protect your business and your members.
Speakers
Rodrigue Gilbert | Louis-Philippe Champagne
Location: Bavaro 3-5
Sponsored by Ledcor Group of Companies
12:15 – 14:30 | Lunch (at leisure)
15:00 – 17:00 | Free time
17:00 – 18:00 | Rhymes, rants, and rum presented by Procore Technologies Inc.
A crowd-pleasing social event where association leaders, staff and CCA members share their triumphs and tribulations (and talent) through musical numbers and entertaining rants. A signature rum beverage sets the right note to start your evening.
17:00 – 18:00 | Dinner (at leisure)
Conference day 4 ─ Friday, March 15, 2024
Theme: Fair procurement
07:15 – 08:00 | Breakfast (at leisure)
08:00 – 01:30 | Conference registration desk
Location: Bavaro foyer
08:00 – 09:00 | CEO Roundtable
This executive-level fireside chat explores the value of, defining and evolving a corporation’s purpose and the link to employee engagement and organizational success.
Speakers
Marie-Claude Houle | Kieran Hawe | Mary Van Buren
09:00 – 09:15 | Networking break
Location: Bavaro foyer
09:15 – 10:15 | Canada’s housing crisis – What is our role?
Plenary – Panel
Canada’s housing crisis is a critical issue requiring creative solutions and a collaborative approach. We’ll dissect and explore our industry’s role in bringing innovative solutions.
Speakers
Tim Coldwell
Location: Bavaro Ballroom
10:15 – 10:30 | Networking break
Location: Bavaro foyer
10:30 – 11:30 | Educating owners: How can we raise the bar on procurement?
Working group (facilitated)
At this hands-on session, we’ll work together on how to refine the procurement process, foster strategic partnerships, and ultimately drive successful project outcomes.
Speakers
Rodrigue Gilbert
Location: Bavaro Ballroom VI
11:30 – 12:30 | Economic outlook for construction presented by Procore Technologies Inc.
The construction industry is considered a barometer of economic health. Join us for an in-depth exploration of Canada’s economic outlook for construction as we explore the current landscape and identify the path forward.
Speakers
Paul Smetanin
Location: Bavaro Ballroom IV
12:30 – 14:30 | Lunch buffet (at leisure)
Free afternoon
18:00 – 21:00 | Closing gala presented by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and Graham
Get ready to light up the night at the closing gala Neon Glow Party! We are turning up the neon vibes and letting the dance floor come alive with Dominican beats and electrifying moves.
Remember to come dressed in your best neon attire because we’re taking the colour and energy to a new level. Let’s make this a night to remember as we close out the 2024 Annual Conference.
Location: Bavaro Ballroom VI
Presented by
*Conference session titles and speakers are subject to change.