Education Program Videos
June 16, 2021
12:00 - 12:45 pm
Opening Keynote: COVID-19’s Impact on Employees, Employers, and the Real Estate Industry
The outcomes of COVID-19 have and will continue to change the way we work and how organizations manage their staff and space requirements. With a shift to working remotely, many important considerations have arisen that will impact employers, employees, real estate owners and operators and the Canadian real estate industry as a whole. This timely Opening Keynote will address a number of important aspects including, the impacts of working remotely, today’s in-office work requirements, the shift from urban to rural work environments, technological requirements, demographic class differences and requirements, employer support, staff wellness, and more. Beyond the employer and employee aspects, this Keynote session will also address how the Canadian real estate industry as a whole has and will continue to be impacted. We will explore hybrid work environments, lease requirements, shared office space, workplace design options, health & safety, and more. We will also present case studies that will detail how two recognized organizations have adapted to today’s work and staffing environments.
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm
Education Session: Enbridge Gas Spotlight: Commercial Energy Conservation Offers
Energy Solutions Advisors will provide an overview of Enbridge Gas’ Energy Conservation offers, along with the financial and energy savings they’ve helped their customers achieve. They’ll also highlight the importance of natural gas and its role in bridging to a low-carbon future.
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Education Session: Getting to Net Zero in the Age of COVID
As owners work on reopening buildings while the ground rules for safe operation during and after the pandemic are still being formulated, what are the smart strategies for adaptability during times of uncertainty? Refurbishing air handling systems is a focus of attention, including comprehensive testing, monitoring and upgraded controls. The necessary work uncovers airflow imbalances, maintenance issues, excessive static pressure losses and equipment/controls deficiencies which require correction. Even during normal times, well-functioning ventilation systems are necessary to ensure that indoor environmental conditions are being properly maintained for health, safety and comfort. The need is far greater now with new demands created by COVID-19.
1:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Education Session: Accelerating the Healthy Building Movement in Canada With Fitwel and QuadReal
Canadians are spending more than 90% of our time indoors, and now that we are looking to return to the workplace as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is greater urgency and opportunity to address health and wellness within our built environments. Just what is a “healthy building” and what design, development and operational strategies are being used to improve our collective well-being across office, residential, retail and industrial spaces? In this discussion with QuadReal a global real estate investment, operating and development company, and Fitwel, the world’s leading healthy building certification system, we’ll explore why the healthy building movement is gaining momentum in Canada and what best practices emerged from their collaboration, many captured in their joint publication of The Office Guide to Building Health
1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Education Session: Flattening the Curve of Water Expenses in Commercial Buildings
Water utility expenses in commercial buildings consistently increase year-over-year, leaving owners and operators looking for new practices and technologies to control and reduce utility expenses. In the past 14 months, due to COVID-19 and the social distancing measures in place, commercial buildings faced a unique situation. Office, retail, industrial assets turned unoccupied to experience a sharp decline in water usage while multi-unit residential buildings saw 15-20% increased usage while residents stay longer at home. Typical usage profiles and occupant behavior could not be utilized anymore to predict and manage water expenses. Recent technology advancements have led to affordable water management solutions providing real-time monitoring of water usage in all commercial asset types. Water management strategies vary between asset type allows for identifying and addressing water waste savings water and money. Toronto Community Housing, Canada’s largest landlord will discuss operational challenges with respect to water management, market available technology solutions and review the results of a 12-month water efficiency program collaboration between reed water and Toronto Community Housing.
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm
Education Session: Today’s New Reality
This session will provide an excellent overview of how COVID-19 impacted Manulife Financial, one of Canada’s most respected real estate organizations. This “fireside chat” format discussion will address many different aspects including, initial concerns when the pandemic started, actions taken, pandemic guideline development, tenant, staff, visitor and supplier communication, what the industry may look like when we re-open and moving forward, how Manulife handled their janitorial requirements during the pandemic, new technologies that were implemented, lessons learned and goals moving forward, and more.
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
Closing Keynote: How Commercial Real Estate is Increasingly Using Technology to Secure a Future
Learn about EY’s collaboration with MIT’s Real Estate Innovation lab as we explore concepts such as automation in real estate, developing and operating assets through the use of Digital Twin, and other emerging property technologies and experiences. New property technology (Proptech) can mean new potential for real estate owners, developers, operators and tenants. Even so, the tools themselves are only as powerful as the implementation and adoption strategy you use to deploy them. Strategically adopting the right tech solutions is a “must have” for real estate companies and customers who are adjusting to a post-COVID 19 environment. We will explore some of the leading technologies that are gaining traction in the Canadian marketplace and how some companies are adopting them.