Liaison Report from Calgary, Alberta, Canada: A Wrap-up of CAHPI’s 2016 National Conference

by Steve Gladstone January 1, 2017


It’s true that the colder weather is coming, but there were only warm feelings at the national conference of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI), held October 22-24, 2016, in Calgary, Alberta. Nearly 100 inspectors, vendors and guests had a super time at the Sheraton Calgary Cavalier Hotel.

The 2016 CAHPI conference offered several educational sessions, including a truly exceptional motivational presentation by former Calgary policewoman Debra deWaal. She had us really thinking about how we present ourselves to our clients and how our mental attitude affects our day-to-day success. Alan Carson presented a session on report writing and customer service, and I presented a session on defect recognition. There were additional presentations on the topics of radon, electrical codes, report software, mentoring, infrared inspections, risk reduction, HVAC, energy code requirements and more.

At the expo hall, vendors offered tools, insurance and testing equipment, as well as information about air quality and the Eye Stick, a telescopic pole that can hold a Wi-Fi camera to reach those hard-to-get-to places like roofs and crawlspaces.

Throughout the weekend, the coffee owed, the food was great and the conversations were priceless. The conference committee should be very proud as this was a super event and very well-organized.

As a side note, CAHPI recently has had some challenges with members in British Columbia pulling back their participation. The hope is that these members will return once again to support one organization and one voice for home inspectors across Canada. ASHI is doing all it can to help; we hope these issues will improve.

I manned the ASHI booth, answering many questions and discussing membership benefits with several attendees. Once again, I was extended the honor of giving the oath of office to the new CAPHI board, and I was equally surprised and delighted when I was presented with the Michael Ludolph Award for “dedication and contribution to the advancement and development of the home inspection profession in Canada.” This award is dedicated to the memory of Michael Ludolph, who unselfishly volunteered his time working toward national standards for Canada. To say the least, I was quite touched to receive this honor and I believe I am the first American to receive it.

My wife, Sandi, and I got to see a bit of Calgary and spend some time with other inspectors and their families. In 2017, the conference will be in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland, which is about as far to the east as you can get in Canada. This conference is sure to be a great opportunity to see a particularly beautiful part of Canada, as well as to sharpen your home inspection skills by learning from some of the best presenters around. If you are a new inspector or a seasoned veteran, plan to attend CAHPI’s national conference next year in St. John’s. 


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