Western Canada Chapter Takes In The Calgary Auto Show

The Western Canada Chapter combined their Annual General Meeting with a visit to the Calgary Auto Show, assuring a very full and interesting day for all. Chapter Chair Jim Laverty was reinstated as was the rest of the current chapter leaders.

Bruno Lamarche said, "We initially went to the Auto Show where they opened the doors early for a private viewing for the NAFA members." After the show, members reconvened for the business of the Chapter, done in an unconventional way from previous Annual General Meetings.

"Jim Perkins, CAFM, moderated the meeting from a joint networking meeting of members in Vancouver (via conference call)," said Chapter Chair Jim Laverty. "There were about 40 of us at the AGM meeting in Calgary where we 'broadcast' from and then another 10 joined us via the webinar and conference call from other parts of Alberta plus British Columbia and Saskatchewan."

"(This) worked out very well," Lamarche added. "No technical difficulties, and there was even some friendly provincial rivalry going on between British Columbia and Alberta."

To open the meeting, Laverty discussed the chapter's work and events from 2012. Information about their Internet Chapter Meetings and webinars was also discussed.

As for upcoming events, Laverty announced that a CAFM Boot Camp would be coming to Vancouver in late September 2013. This is a fantastic opportunity for Members who are studying for CAFM certification, or just curious about what it can offer them, to learn what they need to pass the CAFM exam.

The Edmonton Fleet Maintenance, Leadership, and Best Practices sessions will run on May 14 and 15. The annual golf tournament has been slated for June 7, and it is a regular favorite for chapter members. All Members who would like to participate in these events, as well as all of Western Canada's meetings throughout 2013 are advised to contact Jim Laverty (jlaverty@ualberta.ca) to find out more and to register to attend.

Laverty was enthusiastic about how this meeting pulled together. "This is the first time we have tried this type of format for the AGM and our members thought it added good value and want us to carry on. We will continue to build on this going forward!"

Special thanks to Western Canada Chapter Chair Jim Laverty and NAFA Affiliate Bruno Lamarche for their contributions.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
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Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004