2024 Professional Development Conference - Wednesday Events

Oct 23, 2024 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pier 21



Engineers Nova Scotia's Professional Development Conference will take place on Wednesday, October 23rd at the historic Pier 21. The event features industry updates, project presentations, and skill-building sessions across three concurrent streams. It's designed to offer valuable insights and ample networking opportunities with other attendees.

Registration opens at 8:00am for conference attendees.  A registration desk team will be available to assist you as you arrive as well as available event staff positioned throughout to provide directional guidance.  

Included within the cost of your registration is

  • A light breakfast 
  • Access to all PD sessions (please select those sessions that you wish to attend)
  • Networking opportunities
  • Keynote speaker presentation (includes seated lunch)
  • Complimentary Access to Pier 21 Historical Museum during your time at the event  
  • The opportunity to have a new profile picture/headshot done at our Portrait Studio Pop-Up.  

Event Detail Inquires:  For all inquiries related to the two-day conference, please reach out to events@engineersnovascotia.ca

Partnership Opportunities Available: If you are interested in partnership opportunities surrounding either the Professional Development Conference Day or the Annual Business Meeting and Celebration of Engineering Gala Event Day, please reach out to communications@engineersnovascotia.ca with your request.

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Schedule

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
The registration desk opens at 8:00am. The registration desk team will be on hand to assist you with check-in. A light breakfast will be available, grab a bite and feel free to filter around the ro... More

The registration desk opens at 8:00am.  The registration desk team will be on hand to assist you with check-in.  A light breakfast will be available, grab a bite and feel free to filter around the room to connect with other conference attendees!

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Topic: Emerging as a Leader: Guiding the transition to professional leadership and growth in your career Join our leadership panel as we delve deeper into the journey of an emerging professional a... More

Topic: Emerging as a Leader: Guiding the transition to professional leadership and growth in your career 

Join our leadership panel as we delve deeper into the journey of an emerging professional and into the life of emerging as a leader in a professional setting. Our panelists, who have successfully transitioned into leadership roles, will share their personal stories, insights, and advice to help grow your own role as a leader. Whether you're aspiring to lead within your current organization or looking to take on new leadership challenges, this discussion will provide the inspiration you need to navigate a challenging aspect of your career with confidence.


Panelist Biographies

Meggie Letman, P.Eng., is a professional engineer specializing in water resources with over 8 years of experience in the field. As a hydrologist, her technical expertise casts a wide net, covering both floods and droughts, as well as shoreline protection, fish passage, and watershed studies. Her favorite part of her job is when she gets to spend the day standing in a stream. 

For the past two years, Meggie has successfully managed a dynamic coast-to-coast team of water resources engineers at Dillon Consulting, connecting team members to the work that fulfills them and fostering a supportive and work environment. Meggie holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in environmental engineering from Dalhousie and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers. 

 

Rachel Scurlock, P.Eng., is currently an Intermediate Civil Engineer and Project Manager working within EastPoint’s Civil Engineering team in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a member of this team, Rachel acts as a project manager, civil design lead, and project support to both the civil team and EastPoint’s multi-disciplinary teams. She has 7 years of consulting experience working with municipalities, Department of National Defence, Parks Canada, private developers, and industrial clients around Canada.  

She is a dedicated lifelong learner, committed to cultivating strong mentor-mentee relationships that have been instrumental in her growth as an engineer. Professionally recently taken on new roles, including building mentorship programs, establishing new document standards, and supporting the development of an Emerging Leaders group at EastPoint.


Andrew McDonald, P.Eng., is a dual hatted Engineering Manager at Lockheed Martin Canada. From a technical perspective he is the Systems Engineering Team Lead responsible for supporting the Combat System Integration for the Halifax Class Frigates. On the other hand he is a people manager for a multidisciplined engineering team consisting of a group of Mechanical, Electrical and Cyber Security Engineers who support the various programs at Lockheed Martin Canada. 

He was born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick along with a Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from Dalhousie University. Andrew is a registered Professional Engineer with Engineers Nova Scotia and a certified Project Management Professional.  

Outside of work he is kept busy running around with his wife, Hannah, and their three children. Any time that he can manage to get to himself is spent playing hockey, golf, cycling or running.   

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The 12 Available Sessions have been filled. If you wish to be added to a waiting list, please reach out to communications@engineersnovascotia.ca _______________ At... More

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  The 12 Available Sessions have been filled.  If you wish to be added to a waiting list, please reach out to communications@engineersnovascotia.ca

_______________

Attention professionals! Whether you’re looking to refresh your corporate image, enhance your personal brand, or simply capture a polished new headshot, our Portrait Studio Pop-Up is the perfect opportunity.

During the professional development conference, Engineers Nova Scotia is offering a unique chance to step into our studio.

Event Highlights:
Tailored Photo Sessions:
Benefit from personalized guidance to capture the perfect look that aligns with your professional goals.
FREE Offer: Your shots will be sent to you in the week following the event free of charge to use as you wish.
Don’t miss this chance to enhance your professional image. Secure your spot today.

Times Available
9:00 - 10:00am
11:00 - 12:00pm

There are a maximum of 12 spot available, if the Studio session is full and you would like to be added to our "wait list" please email communications@engineersnovascotia.ca

Looking forward to seeing you shine!

#LinkedInProfile #ProfessionalPortrait #PortraitPopUp #PersonalBranding

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
As part of the Port Lands flood protection project in Toronto, ON, four new steel arch bridges were fabricated and erected over new and existing waterways. To achieve the desired appearance, min... More

As part of the Port Lands flood protection project in Toronto, ON, four new steel arch bridges were fabricated and erected over new and existing waterways. To achieve the desired appearance, minimize the amount of work and temporary works required on site and meet the schedule, it was determined that the best way to build the bridges, was to fabricate, assemble and paint large fully assembled segments at the fabrication shop and transport large, completed steel superstructure segments to site. This methodology minimized the visible field joint and allowed more control over the application of the coatings.  

 

All four steel arch bridges were fully fabricated in Dartmouth and shipped by barge to the project site in Toronto, where they were unloaded and erected onto their final bearings. This presentation will focus on the transportation and erection of the two 56.1 m long fully fabricated steel arch bridges at Cherry Street North from Dartmouth to Toronto, while also outlining the methods and challenges associated with the transport and erect the other two bridges as well. Harbourside developed the procedures and designed the temporary works to load the bridge onto the barge, secure the bridge during transit, rotate the bridges on the barge after arriving in Toronto and finally lower the steel superstructure onto the permanent bearings. 

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Engineering Connections: Strategies for Effective Professional Relationship Building Networking in the engineering world requires strategic and nuanced approaches, similar to solving complex pro... More

Engineering Connections: Strategies for Effective Professional Relationship Building


Networking in the engineering world requires strategic and nuanced approaches, similar to solving complex problems.  

 

This presentation will explore 10 proven tactics to enhance your networking success. From embracing the numbers game and crafting compelling openers to practicing active listening and leveraging mutual connections, you'll learn how to build professional relationships, and advance your career with confidence and precision. Integrating these techniques into your networking strategy will unlock opportunities for growth and collaboration, positioning you for sustained success in your personal life and professional career. 

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
This session will cover a number of updates regarding the practice of engineering in Nova Scotia, including information about several updated and new guidelines that will soon be available for cons... More

This session will cover a number of updates regarding the practice of engineering in Nova Scotia, including information about several updated and new guidelines that will soon be available for consultation. A specific focus will be providing information to registrants regarding upcoming changes to modernize and simplify the CPD program. 

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Details to be confirmed.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
A Blueprint to Wellness in the Workplace This session offers a comprehensive approach to cultivating a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling work life. It will explore practical strategies for foste... More

A Blueprint to Wellness in the Workplace 

This session offers a comprehensive approach to cultivating a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling work life. It will explore practical strategies for fostering mental, emotional, and physical wellness, helping you to not just survive but thrive in your professional journey. 

 

Our keynote speaker will share insights on creating supportive work cultures, managing stress, and integrating wellness practices into daily routines. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to enhance their well-being and promote a healthier workplace environment. 

 

But wellness isn’tjust about what you do—it’s also about how you present yourself to the world. To underscore the importance of self-expression and confidence in well-being, this session will feature a special Fashion Show by Save Me Save We, an innovative brand committed to sustainable and empowering fashion. Their latest collection reflects mind, body, and spirit harmony, showcasing designs that inspire peace and strength. 

 

Join us for this unique and inspiring session, which blends the art of wellness with the art of branding. It will help you thrive in peace, not in pieces. 

 

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
In March 2024, I addressed three essential questions about generative AI that every engineer should understand: 1) How does it work? 2) What is it good at? 3) What should it never do? (You can fin... More

In March 2024, I addressed three essential questions about generative AI that every engineer should understand: 1) How does it work? 2) What is it good at? 3) What should it never do? (You can find the recording on the Engineers NS YouTube channel.) 

 

Since then, I have worked directly with several clients one-on-one to implement AI in their processes, delivered numerous keynote presentations, and developed AI courses for Digital Nova Scotia, St. FX University, and Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia. Through these experiences, I have curated the best use cases and tools for engineers and knowledge workers. 

  

This presentation will feature live demonstrations of the latest technology, showing how it can save you hours every week with practical use cases I regularly utilize and have successfully implemented for others. There will be time at the end of the presentation to have your generative AI questions answered! 

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Explore how sustainability is fundamental to our mission at TD Insurance. This session offers insights into our ongoing sustainability initiatives and partnerships aimed at addressing climate chang... More

Explore how sustainability is fundamental to our mission at TD Insurance. This session offers insights into our ongoing sustainability initiatives and partnerships aimed at addressing climate change and building resilience in the communities we serve. 

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
This session will provide an overview of the introduction of a competency-based assessment process; including the phasing out of the Mentor Program, and what applicants and EITs can expect moving f... More

This session will provide an overview of the introduction of a competency-based assessment process; including the phasing out of the Mentor Program, and what applicants and EITs can expect moving forward. 

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Details to be determined.