ASPE lays groundwork for Toronto chapter; interim board elected
September 11, 2014 | By Patrick Callan
The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) held its inaugural Toronto meeting on September 10 to pitch the idea of forming a local chapter of the international organization for plumbing design, specification and inspection professionals.
Jim Kendzel, ASPE’s executive director and CEO, headed up the meeting at the Holiday Inn Toronto Airport East, which drew about 55 people from the GTA area. “I’ve personally taken on this goal of getting the Toronto chapter going,” said Kendzel, who more than once mentioned the success of Montreal’s ASPE chapter.
Kendzel said the benefits in becoming an ASPE member include access to exclusive publications (print and electronic), monthly webinars, regional workshops, professional certifications, and taking part in ASPE’s convention/exposition and technical symposium. But he added: “The biggest benefit our folks talk about is networking at the monthly meetings.”
The basic requirements to form an ASPE chapter are membership fees ($190 US), at least 20 members – full and associate – in good standing, an interim board of directors, and planning the next two meetings. Once a chapter is formed, it is responsible to hold monthly meetings (which consist of a networking component and technical presentation), provide a newsletter for members, and keep up with local code updates. Kendzel added that most chapters have some sort of annual event.
Following his presentation, a volunteer interim board of directors was chosen: Bryan Young, Water Bridge Environmental Solutions Inc., as president; Patrick Fedor, Ipex, as vice-president, technical/legislative; and Roger Campovari, PC Plumbing/Heating, as secretary/treasurer. Together they will oversee the next two meetings and help transition the local chapter from interim to official, joining more than 60 ASPE chapters in North America and over 6000 members worldwide.
The technical component of the first Toronto meeting included a presentation from Kevin Ernst, OS & B and Kevin Wong, CIPH, on the future of low lead plumbing in Canada. For detailed information on low lead changes click here to read The Lowdown On Low Lead in HPAC December 2013.
The second ASPE meeting in Toronto will take place on November 12. It will look at updates to Ontario and Canadian plumbing codes. The third will be held on January 14, 2015 and it will cover drainline transport. Both will happen at the Holiday Inn Toronto Airport East from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In other ASPE news, September 18, 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Society, just four days before the opening of its convention and exposition. From a small group of plumbing industry professionals in Southern California, ASPE now has more than 6000 members internationally and a strong presence in the worldwide construction industry. The 2014 ASPE Convention & Exposition, which is being held September 20–24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, will combine professional education and networking with a celebration of the anniversary. Register now at aspe.org/expo.
