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Our association is 97 years old this year and is one of the oldest associations in Canada. Over time our association has evolved as the industry has, however the essence of our vision and mission has virtually remained unchanged. The values of excellence, integrity and leadership will always stand the test of time, and they tend to resonate more in uncertain economic times. Because of these values, and the core member services and benefits we offer, along with the opportunities to learn and network, VICA can attract new members and sustain longstanding membership. This contributes to member’s business growth and provides for a strong industry voice for Vancouver Island contractors and suppliers on key issues that impact them daily.

Collaboration and relationships play a pivotal role in the new economic reality. VICA will be building on our existing partnerships and alliances, and offering enhanced benefits to increase member effectiveness and to improve bottom lines. The online plan room offers a powerful array of new tools and features; such as automated project tracking and reporting tools that will enable the mobile member to monitor projects of interest. These new features, combined with an initiative to expand the bid opportunity content in the plan rooms will impact members positively.

Many of the new online plan room tools will be of great interest to business owners and the professional community, and we expect this will foster interest in VICA membership. It is our goal to build and enhance our relationships with the owner and professional communities through a variety of mechanisms, including an industry open house, round table meetings and other networking and education events.

One of the new member benefits announced this spring is the Pre-Bid Reports. These reports are included with membership and offer pre-bid intelligence on dozens of Vancouver Island projects every week, with a primary focus on industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-residential sectors. The reports track hundreds of projects and offers weekly up-to-date information on changes that occur as projects transition through conception to tendering. The pre-bid report data is provided through our strategic alliance with Reed Construction Data and their team of reporters, and hosted by our partner Infinite Source, in our online plan room. Regardless of where you are situated or work on the island, you can access valuable opportunity information 24/7 and receive email notifications of opportunities you are tracking.

The market place has changed radically since the fall of 2008 and there has been a dramatic shift from privately funded to publicly funded projects. Competition has intensified, and there are many projects to bid, and more on the way as the infrastructure stimulus packages hit the street. Statistics Canada reports investment in non-residential construction is up 28% over last years first quarter. These projects will be tracked and reported to VICA members.

We will accelerate the transformation we have embarked on in 2009, and I urge you to get involved and be part of this positive transformation. The members that reap the most benefit through membership are the ones who are involved and participate. Please call the Association today and ask how you can get more involved and maximize the benefits of membership.



President