Conference Looks to the Future of the Housing Industry
The HPO is hosting a conference — Next Generation: Future of the Housing Industry in British Columbia — on Tuesday, May 27 to mark the HPO’s 10th anniversary (1998-2008) and British Columbia’s 150th anniversary.
“The Homeowner Protection Office is proud of the role it has played in enhancing consumer protection for new home buyers and bringing about improvements in the quality of residential construction,” said Ken Cameron, CEO.
“This one-day conference is an opportunity for the HPO to further contribute to the evolution of the housing industry by bringing all sectors of the housing market together to explore the trends and challenges the industry will face in the next 15 to 20 years.”
“In the last decade, the housing industry has moved from ‘basket case’ to economic powerhouse,” explained Cameron. “This dramatic turnaround is the result of the combined efforts of industry and government to produce high quality homes that will meet the needs of consumers today and in the future. Now it is time to look ahead.”
The conference program features informative and thought-provoking presentations by industry leaders and national experts as well as panel discussions. It commences with presentations by three keynote speakers who will examine the major forces shaping the housing industry.
Sharing his insights on the achievements and future challenges for British Columbia’s development industry will be President and CEO of Concert Properties, David Podmore. Architect, planner and property developer Michael Geller, who is a leading expert on buildings, will speak on the impact of new and emerging technologies on residential development and new home construction.
Dr. Roslyn Kunin of Roslyn Kunin and Associates, in partnership with Human Capital Strategies, will present a paper entitled: ‘Homes in 2026: Who will build them? Who will buy them?’ Participants will also hear perspectives from three industry panels.
Industry Players’ Perspectives on Future Trends
will explore questions from the perspectives of those who build, buy, finance and provide warranty insurance on new homes in British Columbia. What does the future of B.C.’s housing industry look like? How will industry adapt to housing affordability challenges, shifting consumer expectations and emerging technologies?
The Next Generation Workforce
will address the current and future training needs of new entrants to the housing industry’s workforce. How do we equip new entrants with the skills and competencies needed by industry?
A Focus on Licensed Residential Builders and Developers
will explore how the industry should respond to the growing and changing demands for education and training among builders.
“We are delighted that Keith Hanson, who has been deeply involved in the housing industry in British Columbia and the rest of Canada, has accepted our invitation to provide a concluding presentation on the key issues identified during the day,” said Cameron.
The event will also provide a platform for launching a video to celebrate the HPO’s 10th anniversary and British Columbia’s 150th anniversary. Entitled “150 Years of Housing in British Columbia,” the video will highlight the importance of housing in meeting basic human needs and how housing has evolved as an expression of the social, economic and cultural aspirations of British Columbians.
The conference will be held at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver. Builders, developers, design professionals, warranty providers, and providers of industry education and training can register to attend by contacting the HPO by phone (toll free) 1-800-407-7757 or by e-mail: hpo@hpo.bc.ca. Online registration is available.
You can read more about the Green Roofs and Homeowner Protection in British Columbia conference, and view profiles of speakers and their PowerPoint presentations on the HPO web site.
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