By Jeremy Hallman, Executive Director SMACNA-BC
Spring has been busy around the SMACNA-BC office. Planning is well underway for our 57th Annual AGM & Convention, taking place May 7–9, 2026, at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna, BC. Based on early interest, it’s shaping up to be another strong event, with 262 registered guests as of writing this. A big thank you to Leanne for continuing to put together a great program that gives members the opportunity to connect, unwind, and enjoy some time together outside of the day-to-day demands of the industry.
Kelowna is one of my favourite stops on our cycle, as my family and I spend time there in the summers. It’s hard to go wrong with the lake surrounded by mountains, vineyards, and orchards. In addition to the Annual General Meeting, members can look forward to a variety of activities and networking opportunities throughout the weekend. This year will also feature an “Eras”-themed Friday Fun Night, giving attendees a chance to dress up, have some fun, and enjoy a bit of nostalgia with fellow members. I know it’s been a while since we’ve tried something like this, but we’re hoping it makes for a great night. If dressing up isn’t for you, you can always say you’re from 2026.
I’ve been getting out to speak with contractors in person to gather their market outlook, and the feedback has been fairly consistent. Most feel they have enough work on hand to stay busy through 2026, with only a minor reduction in hours. However, there are growing concerns about 2027 and beyond. Margins are tightening quickly, and the number of contractors bidding on projects has increased significantly. While it’s nice to see the pace relax slightly, I don’t think anyone wants things to swing too far in that direction.
I’m also pleased to announce that SMACNA-BC and SMART Local Union No. 280 have finalized a new Testing and Balancing (TAB) agreement. This is an important step in strengthening collaboration and supporting quality standards across our industry.
I would like to thank Dennis St. Hilaire of Western Mechanical Services and Steve Davis for their efforts in bringing this agreement together. Participating contractors include Novagreen Mechanical, Tempest Balancing, and Western Mechanical Air Balance Co. I encourage members to keep these firms in mind for your balancing and commissioning needs.
Recent Events
At the Partners in Progress Conference in February, Steve Davis, Business Manager and FST, and I were asked to speak at one of the breakout sessions. We discussed the union/management relationship we have here in BC. Based on the feedback we received, relationships in other regions can be more strained.
We made sure to give credit to Bruce Sychuk and James Paquette for the groundwork they laid for us. Some of the things we take for granted here generated strong interest during the session and led to some tough questions afterward.
In my opinion, our Joint Conference Board is one of the biggest differences. The fact that union and management meet nine times per year, with a formal agenda to discuss industry issues, certainly helps when challenges or negotiations arise. Just as importantly, it gives us the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. Conversations about family, sports, and shared interests go a long way in building understanding and seeing each other in a different light.
We held a dinner meeting on January 22 at the Civic Hotel in Surrey, featuring guest speaker Chris Atchison, President of the BC Construction Association. Chris provided an overview of British Columbia’s Prompt Payment legislation (Bill 20: Construction Prompt Payment Act), outlining what it could mean for owners, contractors, and subcontractors across the province. The legislation aims to improve payment certainty, reduce delays, and modernize dispute resolution. While it’s a positive step forward, the enforcement side is still being finalized, with expectations that it could be in place within the next 18 months if things proceed as planned.
Our March 19 dinner meeting featured Laura King, Regional Director (Canada) with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), who joined us from Ontario. Laura delivered an informative session on NFPA-96. She did an excellent job walking the group through how to use both the online and print versions to find answers efficiently. It reinforced an important point: while it’s impossible to remember every detail, it’s critical to know where the information is and how to navigate the manuals, much like our SMACNA resources.
Our next dinner meeting is scheduled for April, and we continue working to identify topics that keep turnout strong. Between 2024 and 2025, we’ve seen average attendance increase by nearly 50%. While much of that is tied to how busy the industry has been, I’d also like to think it reflects the quality and relevance of the topics being presented. If you have suggestions for future speakers or subjects, please reach out to the SMACNA-BC office.
By the time you read this, nominations for SMACNA-BC board positions will be closed. If you’re interested in getting involved or would like to learn more about what’s involved, please contact the office. Member participation is critical to the continued success and direction of the association.
SMACNA National Convention
On the national level, planning is also underway for the SMACNA Annual Convention, taking place October 25–28, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, at the Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria. This event brings together contractors, partners, and chapter executives for several days of education, networking, and social events. Attendees can expect a full program of sessions, along with popular activities such as the College of Fellows Golf Tournament, pickleball, and clay shooting, as well as a new SMACNA Block Party at Universal CityWalk. I’ve also finalized our contract for Chapter Night, which will be held at Splitsville Luxury Lanes on Tuesday, October 27. We’ll be joining the Oregon and Washington chapters again this year, so it should be a great time.
As always, for a full list of upcoming SMACNA-BC events and registration details, please visit our website or contact the office directly. ■
