Page 8 - Nov-Dec 2017 - Reporter - web

Message from the PRESIDENT

reflections of the past year

david campbell s 2017 winds down and we move into 2018, it’s as well as multiple store expansions; and the board
LBMAO President Atime to reflect on the past year. We at the LBMAO will be working on a strategy to address these
wish to extend to all of our members a hearty thank challenges. We were asked from AGM attendees
you for your support; and a special thank you to those about moving the training courses from Mississauga
who generously sponsored and attended the 100th and doing regional training. We have tried in past
Anniversary Gala event. years to do this but found that the support and
The Queen’s Landing Hotel proved to be a attendance declined and did not generate enough
wonderful venue for networking and developing revenue to pay the associated costs. When we use
friendships. The gala dinner was a great time to enjoy the Mississauga area as the training base twice a year,
the company of old friends and make new ones. We we get full attendance from those members wishing
are glad that we made the decision to use this hotel to use our Estimating and Yard Management training
and the Niagara-on-the-Lake region as our host town courses. We ask our members to consider that these
rather than downtown Toronto. In the early years of training modules provide a good income source for
the ORLDA/LBMAO, many events were held at the the Association; and any changes that contribute to
King Edward Hotel or the Royal York. We declining income have to be considered with caution.
"2017 was a recognized that our members were for We are not-for-profit but still need to generate
the most part were from communities surpluses.
busy year for outside of the GTA and the attraction We also were queried on providing more
the LBMAO of downtown Toronto with all its costs online training and we are certainly aware of the
and congestion would not enhance advantages. Currently, we offer a full suite of online
which included the evening. We selected the Queen’s Health and Safety courses that are used by our
producing our Landing Hotel as it would be more members frequently. These are courses that are
acceptable to those who travelled in mandated by the Ministry of Labour and are easily
100th Anniversary from distances as far as Hearst, ON and adaptable to an online format. We also offer online
Commemorative British Columbia. sales training through our sister association, the
2017 was a busy year for the LBMAO ABSDA, which does not enjoy the same level of
Book, as well as which included producing our 100th participation as they are not mandatory. Through
planning the Gala Anniversary Commemorative Book, as our other sister Association, the WRLA, we also have
well as planning the gala event. The available an online training module for the basic
Dinner." AGM was well attended and we reported estimating course. This provides the opportunity
the positive things that were happening. to provide a cost effective introduction into basic
Training programs are being well supported estimating of decks and garages. We have had
by members; and the magazine and electronic students take both the online and classroom courses
communications are growth areas that members and all would agree that the classroom format
and non-members alike utilize as communication provides a better learning outcome but at a higher
tools. We also touched on the development of the cost. The interaction between students and the
new industry group BUILDING MATERIALS COUNCIL teacher is the key advantage to the classroom format.
OF CANADA (BMCC). More information on this new Again, we sincerely thank all those who took the
exciting industry initiative will be presented in this time out of their busy schedules to help us celebrate
Reporter. our 100th anniversary and we look forward to
We also reported on the challenges the diligently serving our membership for another 100
association is facing in maintaining membership, years!
with a declining base of retail and supplier members

8 LBMAO Reporter - November-December 2017 www.lbmao.on.ca