FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2013 CONVERGE 2013: A Dialogue on Integration for the Built Environment Final

Programme announced Vancouver, British Columbia -- National leaders in the Canadian materials and construction industries are coming together to discuss the impacts of materials, new technologies and product choices on sustainable building practices at Converge 2013, a two -day conference at the WESTIN Hotel on October 15-16. This conference will allow for an informed dialogue between all stakeholders regarding current government policies about the use of materials, including an independent assessment of the real-world effectiveness of BCs Wood First policy, to ensure that we are all meeting our goals of sustainable building practices. The conference will bring leaders from the concrete, steel and wood industries together to share what each sector is doing to push the Canadian construction sector forward. Sustainable building practices are based on a number of technical factors including individual material life cycle analysis and performance as well as how materials used together perform over the long term. This careful consideration and analysis is critical to creating a successful Canadian construction industry for today and a better natural environment for future generations. Too
often the building materials sectors solely work within their competitive silos. Converge is an opportunity to find a means to collaborate across concrete, steel and wood industries.

The following keynote speakers have been confirmed: MORNING KEYNOTE Phillip Williams: VP Sustainability and Technical Systems, Webcor Builders CA Mr. Williams is the Chair of the San Francisco Mayors Task Force on Green Buildings, and Chair of the Industry Advisory Board for the Center for the Built Environment at the University of CA at Berkley.

LUNCHEON KEYNOTES Tony Valeri, VP ArcelorMittal Dofasco A leader in the steel industry, Mr. Valeri was also a Member of Parliament for four consecutive terms, beginning in 1993. During his terms in office, he served as Minister of Transport and subsequently led the Government's legislative program as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. Michael McSweeney, President and CEO, Cement Association of Canada Mr. McSweeney plays a leadership role in advancing the sustainability agenda within both the cement and concrete industries. We stand at the cusp of an exciting transformation of our built environment as we weave new materials and digital infrastructure into buildings, communities and cities, said Martin Vroegh Chair of the Coalition for Fair Construction Practices. These choices are converging with the demands of sustainability in a carbon constrained world and new methods to determine life cycle analysis. The key is not one material over another but how all these materials and technologies work together.

For more information, contact: Charles Kelly (604) 760-4696 For media registration for the conference, email Andrea.Longrigg@venuewest.com>, and present registration desk with proper credentials.
Agenda can be found online: www.converge2013forum.com