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The 2004 CISC Annual Convention was held June 9-12, 2004 at Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta. As usual, the convention began with the CISC Detailing Committee, which was well attended by detailers and fabricators. After reports from different regions were received, and an urgent request to have a member from each region represented on the National Detailing Committee, the discussion turned to why some CISC members have resigned.

A number of detailing companies have not renewed partly because they question the value of their membership in the organization. With high membership fees and no assurance they will be the detailer of choice with CISC fabricators still selecting the low(est) cost supplier, there is little incentive for them to join. It was suggested by some present that fabricators should at least advise their non-CISC subcontract detailers that they must be members of the CISC. This is a hot topic, and sure to be discussed further at next year’s convention in Quebec.

The subject of pre-detailing was also hotly debated, with fabricators and detailers mostly on opposite sides. Time will tell whether this initiative will succeed or not.

Apprenticeship programs for detailers were also discussed. Only BC and Alberta have any kind of certification program, and Quebec is currently working to that end. The other regions are far behind, despite the fact that Alberta has shared information on its program and BC has suggested that the regions should contact their local technology organizations for assistance.

The Marketing Committee meeting was held the following morning. The Committee objective is to promote the use of steel. Although steel prices are hovering around all-time highs, the CISC believes it can make a strong case for structural steel in projects. It is interesting that the CISC and AISC argue that on a typical project, the cost of fabricated and erected steel frame represents 10-12% of the overall project costs. Of that steel frame package, mill material accounts for 20-25% of the cost. This means that mill material accounts for only 2-3% of the project costs. A 40% increase in mill costs would equate to an increase of 1% of overall project cost. This is an interesting and valid argument. We have made similar arguments to fabricators on the cost of detailing. As detailing averages around 5-8% of the fabricator’s cost, an increase of even 20% in the cost of detailing equates to 1-1.1/2% increase in the fabricator’s cost, and is negligible on the overall project cost. And we all know the cost of inadequately prepared drawings.

The Annual General Meeting of the CISC and the Steel Structures Education Foundation (SSEF) was conducted without incident and the new Board of Directors was introduced.

As the CISC Annual Convention provides an excellent venue for networking, the Sock Hop Party on Friday evening where participants attended in vintage leather, blue jeans, capri pants and bobby socks, allowed members to relax and have fun. The more formal Saturday Evening Gala also allowed for good networking as well as relaxation and dancing.

Among the highlights of the Convention for me personally were the guest speakers. We saw an excellent presentation by John Wonnacott, P. Eng., on the Canadian Diavik Diamond Mine. With only an airstrip and an ice road for access, the Diavik Mine was built on a remote site in the Barren Grounds, north of Yellowknife. Driven by a tight schedule, over 1,100 men worked through the heart of two sub-Arctic winters to build a complex that consisted of an 11-storey steel framed process plant, a giant truck stop, modern accommodations, and independent power and boiler plant buildings, all connected by an Arctic corridor. The other speaker was Kit Grant, Professional Motivational Speaker, whose dynamic style, combined with humour, resulted in a fun and fast-paced presentation on Taking Personal Responsibility and Expanding Your Comfort Zone.

On Saturday, Susan and I enjoyed a boat cruise on beautiful Maligne Lake. The lakes and mountains around Jasper are awesome. We look forward to next year when the Conference will be held in Charlevoix , Quebec.