Conventions

Vancouver, BC is a world class city, tucked into the far West region of Canada. Long a gateway to the travelers going to Japan, Singapore & China, Vancouver sports a cosmopolitan lifestyle with old world influences. The variety of architecture ranges from totems by indigenous peoples who once thrived on what is now canyons of brick, steel & stone to Art Deco of the 1920′s to today current trend to build mix use buildings for an urban work, live, play lifestyle.

The Beach + Howe Building is just that. The triangular base is reset from the street and includes office & retail space. As the building rises, offsets are made to maximize both city views and limiting the amount of exhaust that travels upward from the Granville bridge. The Beach + Howe Building is designed by copenhagen-based studio BIG architects.

Once it opens, the Beach + Howe building will be Vanouver’s 4th tallest and largest residential complex. To read more about it, here is the Arch Daily, an online ezine for architects complete with specs and Design Boom with more renderings and perspective.

Move over Dubai & Shanghai, Paris needs a spot on the skyscraper map.

The 50 floor Delanoë tower, so named after the Mayor of Paris, resembles the dancing towers in Dubai. The Delanoë tower was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, of the Bird’s Nest fame from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

It is also the 1st skyscraper in Paris in over 30 years. The mixed use glass structure at 1st look, depending on where you are standing is either very thin or massive. The footprint, as buildings go is long and thin- a flat triangle. the 1st floors will be a convention center with the next 30 floors a luxury hotel with all amenities. Rounding out the top will be offices. However Mayor Delanoë envisioned much more as explained in this press release:

The base of the tower should host a convention center. Then upstairs, we must find a luxury hotel from 300 to 400 rooms and offices. But the mayor of Paris has also wanted the implantation of businesses, including luxury, style restaurants, including pan, bars, shops. Equipment should also have their place: swimming pool, library, public gardens suspended. The municipality would also present a “museum of world languages.”

Scheduled to open this year, the word is still out on whether it is a “oui” or a “non”

Mar. 22-24, 2012. CMX-CIPHEX is the biennial trade exposition for the HVACR and Plumbing sectors of the mechanicals industry, presented on behalf of HRAI (The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada) and CIPH (The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  The show launched its new Emerging Technologies feature. The new area, designed to highlight the latest in future-oriented solutions, incorporated innovative sustainable technologies, a first for the show.  “As technologies like solar and geothermal become more widely accepted and take a stronger hold in the market, CMX-CIPHEX is the place to showcase them”, said HRAI President, Warren Heeley. Delegates were plumb overwhelmed by it all…

Jan. 18-20, 2012. The WRLA is Canada’s Western Retail Lumber Association, and they are dedicated to “connecting the Building Supply Industry”.  This is a trade-only show, and “admission is restricted to WRLA, BSIA, AQMAT, LBMAO and ABSDA Building Supply Retailers, Pre-Registered Exhibitors, and Pre-Registered Associate Members. No contractors or installers shall be admitted to the show and the general public is also specifically excluded”. So don’t even THINK about trying to gate-crash THIS party.  For those privileged to be admitted, official Prairie Showcase business was evenly balanced by sponsored lunches, dinners and entertainments.  You can see why uninvited outsiders would want to muscle their way in…

Jan. 14-16, 2012. Franchising has grown huge in all kinds of industries, including retailing, restaurant chains, health and beauty, gyms and fitness facilities, home improvements, childcare, travel and leisure.  This Toronto event is designed for exploring the option of self-employment — buying a business franchise means you are in business for yourself, but with the help and support of a parent company. Owning a franchise means you get a slice of a proven business concept, and have the support you need to make a success of it.  Many franchisor companies offer financial assistance or help franchisees find a bank or lender who will stake them the franchise fee, so delegates come to meet face to face with people that can help finance a venture, plus suppliers in industries such as Legal Services, Financial Advisors, Marketing & Advertising Assistance, IT Support and Accounting & Bookkeeping.  But remember, the self-employed work for the world’s toughest boss…