2024 Conference
OGA’s Conference May 22nd, 2024, is all about bringing stakeholders together. Join us for networking, collaborations and initiatives that will help Municipal advisors, HVACR professionals, consulting engineers & designers, as well as developers, educators and utilities Canada reach its 2030 and 2050 climate action goals.
This years Theme: GeoThermal “The New Normal”
OGA 2024 conference
Geothermal “The New Normal”
Wednesday May 22nd 2024
Mohawk College Fennell Campus
135 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E5
Keynote Speakers
William R MacGowan
P.Eng.,CEMBill leads the Smart/Sustainable/Hybrid Building Practice for Cisco Canada. Bill has extensive experience with Architects, Engineers and Constructors and is intimate in the design, construction and integration of IT and OT (Operational Technology) building platforms. Bill has been intimately involved with the progress of open data communication standards and converged Facility + IT (4th Utility) Networks. Bill has deep knowledge in the areas of Strategy Development, Sustainability, Space Optimization and the Delivery of The Employee Experience. Bill is an honors graduate of the Queens University Electrical Engineering Program and is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) with the American Energy Engineers (AEE) Association. Bill resides in Ottawa “The Nations Capital”, Ontario, Canada.
Bram Atlin
Bram leads the multi-unit residential team based out of Toronto, providing innovative solutions on some of the GTA's most impressive high rise developments. His roots with Smith + Andersen run deep - he worked with the firm as a co-op student and joined S+A the same year he graduated. Bram has designed and managed a wide variety of projects across the country, including high-rise residential, institutional, commercial office, data centres and community centres, and continues to grow his extensive technical experience.
David Brodrecht
Senior Geothermal Engineer in the Energy and Carbon Solutions Group WalterFedy
David Brodrecht is the Senior Geothermal Engineer in the Energy and Carbon Solutions Group at
WalterFedy. He has over 24 years of experience in renewable energy systems, with over 17 years
in the geothermal industry working across multiple markets from residential to large scale
commercial and municipal projects.
David is a recognized authority in geothermal systems, with extensive experience designing
geothermal systems, conducting feasibility studies and energy audits. His role as a board member
of the Ontario Geothermal Association and ASHRAE membership demonstrates his commitment
to shaping industry guidelines and standards. With a Master's from Purdue University and a
Bachelor's from the University of Toronto, David combines academic rigor with hands-on
expertise.
Fernando Carou
B.A.Sc, P.Eng.Earlier this year Fernando joined Toronto Housing as the Director of Smart Buildings & Energy Management. He leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for performance and technology across the 2,100 building portfolio ($14 Billion asset), including building automation, renewable energy, and district energy for emissions reduction and energy/water conservation.
For the previous 10+ years at the City of Toronto, Fernando was a founding member of the Environment & Climate Division, which developed and manages the City’s climate action plan: TransformTO. Fernando accelerated environment and climate action in Toronto through partnerships and innovation. He built and lead a high-performance team focused on creating, developing, and operating best-in-class programs, policies, and projects for net-zero development, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
He has lead the leveraging of municipal soft and hard assets for climate action, including innovative business models and partnerships, such as:
- Toronto’s solar map and calculator
- renewable and low carbon district energy systems,
- Wastewater energy program to decarbonize buildings by displacing natural gas use.
Fernando holds an engineering degree from the University of Toronto, has sustainability training from the Harvard University Extension School, and completed courses in Advanced Local Government from Western University.
Jeff Hammond
Jeff Hammond is Executive Director at the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), a non-profit, member-driven organization established in 1987 to advance ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology on local, state/provincial, national, and international levels. Jeff earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and an A.A.S. in electrical engineering technology from Purdue University. He joined IGSHPA with 35 years’ experience in the ground source heat pump (geothermal) industry, including positions at ClimateMaster, Enertech, Geo-Flo, and WaterFurnace. Jeff is a member of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers), AEE (Association of Energy Engineers), ASAE (American Society of Association Executives), and has served on CSA (Canadian Standards Association), AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute), and IGSHPA technical and advisory committees. He is currently chair for the next edition of the ANSI/CSA/IGSHPA C448 Ground Source Heat Pump Standard.
Tim Weber
Tim is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Diverso Energy, North America’s leading geothermal utility provider. Tim as spent 30 years in the HVAC industry, 18 of those years have been focused exclusively on geothermal. Most recently his focus has been developing financial solutions to allow the adoption of geothermal for mid and high-rise residential market. Diverso Energy offers a unique geothermal utility model for institutional, office and multi-family buildings. Diverso Energy designs, builds, owns and operates the geothermal system allowing clients to leverage the benefits of geothermal without the financial or operating risks associated with the technology. The Diverso Energy ownership team has worked with hundreds of clients many in high density urban environments. Their combination of financial and technical solutions are expediting the transition from fossil fuels to electric buildings.
Keynote Panel
Breakout Speakers
Andrei Hari
Andrei Hari is the North American Business Development Manager for HVAC Optimization Solutions at Armstrong Fluid Technology. He has been with the fluid flow and HVAC industry for over thirty years. He is a graduate of Ryerson University, with a Mechanical Engineering degree. His primary focus is advanced HVAC and thermal systems optimization control logic solutions.
He focuses on providing a fundamental understanding of how advanced control logic works through basic engineering fundamentals of fluid flow, heat transfer and thermodynamics with the application of digitalization and demand base controls. Understanding of how systems work in a practical world will help unlock the potential for significant energy abatement and operational efficiencies as we focus on net zero through decarbonization, sustainability and electrification.
Dante Mancuso
Dante Mancuso is a safety leader with over 15 years of experience in the industry, reinventing workplace safety systems in organizations through digitization and a practical approach. He has worked for Human Resources and Safety consulting firms; including Hotline to HR, First Call, EIO Solutions, Point Guard, and the Rinomato Group of Companies.
In 2021, Dante had a vision for safety and founded the Toronto Health and Safety Consultants (“THSC”), advising and implementing custom safety processes that ensure compliance and, most importantly, protect the well-being of workers. He implements innovative safety programs and technologies, like digital Safety Boards, QR Code inspections, and SiteDocs software, increasing efficiency and productivity.
On top of developing safety systems for clients and leading a team of four other safety advisors, Dante sits on the Joint Health and Safety Committee for the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON). Dante was recently awarded the Canadian Occupational Safety 2023 Top Achievers award for the top 40 under 35.
Diana Cartwright
Diana Cartwright is a Trade Commissioner with the Ontario Regional Office of Global Affairs Canada, supporting Ontario clean energy companies to export.
She has previously worked at Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Delphi Group and spent five years teaching in Dalian, China.
Diana has installed a heat pump, solar panels and enjoys driving an EV in her quest to get to net-zero.
Jeremy Tessier
Specialist, Knowledge Transfer - Client Relations at CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
Jeremy Tessier is focused on engagement with the housing sector to deliver the latest and most relevant information on CMHC programs and the National Housing Strategy. He works with housing providers and industry professionals to support sustainable and affordable housing initiatives in the Ontario region. Jeremy holds an MSc in Geography from Concordia University, and is currently a Planning candidate at the University of Toronto.
Michael Ridler
Michael's professional journey in the HVAC industry commenced at his family's HVAC company, laying the foundational stones of a career that has since spanned two decades. His path in HVAC led him to Eden Energy Equipment, where he initially served in technical support before moving to his current roles as Technical Trainer and General Manager. Outside of his professional endeavors, Michael dedicates himself to volunteer work with organizations, including HRAI, CIPH, ARI, and IGSHPA. He is recognized for providing comprehensive technical training to contractors, engineers, and industry stakeholders throughout North America. Michael harbors a deep-seated passion for leveraging new technologies to transform the HVAC and energy sectors, firmly believing in their revolutionary potential. Most importantly he is a firm believer in mentorship, collaboration and open minded collaboration over competition.
Nicole Granath
Nicole Granath is co-founder & COO of Tangible Materials, a software platform for real estate actors to report on and reduce embodied carbon. Previously, she worked to decarbonize products and operations as the global head of sustainability for a flooring manufacturer while living in China and the U.S. Prior to that, she helped launch a new fund at a tech-focused hedge fund in the New York area. Nicole earned a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies from Harvard University.
Patrick Marion
As the Renewables Manager at Mattamy Homes Canada, Patrick is driving the strategic implementation of geothermal projects in Mattamy’s mid-rise and low-rise divisions. With diverse experience across industries, Patrick seamlessly integrates supply chain management, logistics, and process improvement to advance Mattamy's sustainability goals. Noteworthy achievements include developing six low-rise geothermal communities comprising 935 homes in the GTA and Ottawa regions. Patrick's dedication extends beyond numbers, as he prioritizes homeowner and trade education. His passion lies in showcasing the success of geothermal adoption for builders, trade partners, and homeowners alike. Prior to Mattamy, Patrick honed his skills in supply chain management and logistics across various industries, followed by a stint in management consulting focusing on process improvement projects across North America. His journey underscores his commitment to sustainable practices and innovation in the homebuilding sector.
Stan Reitsma
Stan and his partners founded Geosource Energy in 2004 with a focus on delivering vertical closed-loop geothermal systems, which is now the largest vertically integrated design-build geothermal constructor in Canada. Stan has a B.Sc. in Geological Engineering, M.Sc. in Earth Science, and a PhD in Civil Engineering. After spending 7 years as tenured faculty in Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of Windsor, Stan made the jump from academia to business to follow his passion for sustainable solutions and environmental protection. His tireless pursuit of innovation and improvements in all aspects of geothermal systems, has earned him the reputation as a global expert in the geo-exchange industry.
Tony Capido
As the Mohawk College Research Chair in Sustainable Building Technologies, Anthony (Tony) Cupido undertakes leading-edge research that is contributing to a low-carbon economy, while engaging students to develop a multi-disciplinary focus on finding real world solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges. His research initiatives include the development of an operational performance database for Canada’s award-winning, largest institutional, net-zero energy and zero carbon building – The Joyce Centre. He is currently working on the measurement and validation of air purification and ventilation improvement technologies used in Ontario schools. He is also actively involved with the Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) Initiative and supporting low-carbon workforce development in the green building industry.
Tony is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at McMaster University’s Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology and a member of the Board of Directors for the CaGBC representing academia and research.
Wade Griffin
Wade is a proud community member of the Six Nations of the Grand River with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a minor in Indigenous Studies from McMaster University. He is a tireless champion for Indigenous rights and economic development and is committed to promoting Reconciliation. Wade has worked 30+ years with and within Indigenous communities, initially as an entrepreneur. He has over a decade in leadership roles, many of which were directly with Indigenous communities in Canada. Currently, Wade is the National Director for Indigenous Engagement for BGIS, responsible for the Canadian Indigenous Engagement program which entails creating and implementing a business strategy that facilitates greater Indigenous participation in a meaningful manner. Previously, he was the Acting CEO for Mississaugas of the Credit Business Development Corporation. Wade has also served on the inaugural Board of Directors for the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation as well as the Board of Directors for Ni’Akinde (an Indigenous consortium between Tlicho Investment Corporation, Des Nedhe Group and Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation).
Announcements
Schedule
| 7:30 AM | Registration Open | Registration Open | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast | Breakfast & Networking | |
| 9:00 AM | 10 mins | Welcome | Welcome from OGA |
| 9:15 AM | 45 mins | Keynote Bill MacGowan | KEYNOTE Data harvesting from your Geothermal system to make your building more efficient |
| 10:00 AM | 30 mins | Break Out Sessions | Nicole Granath – Impacts of embodied carbon on the HVAC industry – Room C066 Dante Mancuso – Importance of health and safety to the HVAC industry – Room C233 Tony Capido & Stan Reitsma – Mohawk College Geothermal system, the story and case study – Room C125 Michael Ridler – Technology update for the residential HVAC market – Room C121 Wade Griffin – Opportunity for Geothermal in Indigenous communities – Room C123 |
| 10:30 AM | 30 mins | AM Coffee Break | Coffee Break & Networking |
| 11:00 AM | 45 mins | Keynote Fernando Carou | KEYNOTE The challenges of implementing low carbon technologies into a master plan, affordable housing environment |
| 1145 AM | 60 mins | LUNCH | Lunch & Networking |
| 12:45 PM | 45 mins | Keynote Bram Atlin | KEYNOTE A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Implementing Geothermal Solutions in High Rise Developments |
| 1:30 PM | 30 mins | Break Out Sessions | Diana Cartwright – Process for the Geothermal business outside of Canada – Room C066 Patrick Marion – Geothermal in a subdivision, a case of success – Room C121 Jeremy Tessier – CMHC programs and how they apply to the Geothermal industry – Room C123 Andrei Hari – Buildings and Geothermal optimization – Room C125 Martin Luymes – Government relations update on Geothermal – Room C233 |
| 2:00 PM | 30 mins | Jeff Hammond | A Message from IGSHPA |
| 2:30 PM | 15 mins | David Brodrecht | KEYNOTE OGA Drilling Guidelines of Municipalities |
| 2:45 PM | 30 Mins | PM Coffee Break | Coffee Break & Networking |
| 3:15 PM | 45 mins | Keynote Tim Weber | KEYNOTE Under building geothermal |
| 4:00 PM | 60 mins | Keynote Panel | Panel includes representatives from Enwave, Creative Energy and Corix. Moderated by John Rathbone of Rathco Engineering. |
| 5:00 PM | 15 mins | Closing remarks | Message from OGA & Paul Frith |
| 5:15 PM | 4 hours | Reception | Cocktail reception |
About OGA
The OGA was established in June of 2009 and in 2013, they became a chapter of HRAI.
The Ontario Geothermal Association (OGA) is a not-for-profit organization representing geothermal energy system designers, drillers, installers, equipment manufacturers and distributors to advance Ontario’s geothermal heating and cooling industry. The OGA strives to be a bridge between consumers, government and industry professionals while acting as a voice to increase awareness for the importance of working towards the use of a greener, cleaner, and self-sustainable energy source.
Networking
Great minds spark great conversations, The OGA conference is known as an excellent networking opportunity for forging new partnerships and future collaborations.
Audience Profile
OGA’s Audience includes, large Ontario Municipalities, the Development Community, Geothermal Community, Educational Sector, Healthcare Providers
Multi Residential, Commercial and Institutional Home Builder and all levels of Government
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Conference will be held at Mohawk College on Wednesday May 22nd, 2024, will provide sponsors an opportunity to showcase their own ideas, products and services while demonstrating their commitment to working towards the use of a greener, cleaner, and self-sustainable energy source.
Activating your Sponsorship
Working with OGA’s Management team, we will help you activate your sponsorship through our various communications platforms including social media and OGA’s newsletter. Below are several sponsorship opportunities — each with various engagement options. Of course, we also open to your suggestions and welcome your creative ideas on elevating your brand at our conference.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
$8000
1 SOLD, 1 REMAINING
ONSITE BENEFITS
FOUR in-person conference passes
Sponsor Representative introduces 1 keynote
Logo on sponsor slide reel projected between presentations
12 ‘ table (provided) in sponsor hall
Verbal recognition at the events
Corporate literature distributed on Sponsor Table
“Sponsored by” logo included in all event signage and website
Opportunity to display additional signage for front of house
Opportunity to provide branded elements to event
PRE-EVENT BENEFITS
Logo and company profile on OGA website
THREE feature e-blasts in OGA’s, sent to the OGA network (over 5000+ industry contacts)
Participation in the OGA Social Media strategy
Twitter (10 tweets)
Facebook (4 posts)
LinkedIn (2 posts)
POST-EVENT
Lead sponsors positioning in post Conference Communications
GOLD SPONSOR
$5000
SOLD OUT
ONSITE BENEFITS
THREE in-person conference passes
Sponsor Representative introduces a speaker
Logo on sponsor slide reel projected between presentations
8’ table (provided) in exhibition hall
Verbal recognition at the events
Corporate literature distributed on Sponsor Table
“Sponsored by” logo included in all event signage and website
Opportunity to provide branded elements to event
PRE-EVENT BENEFITS
Logo and company profile on website
TWO feature e-blasts in OGA’s, sent to the OGA network (over 5000+ industry contacts)
Participation in the OGA Social Media strategy
Twitter (6 tweets)
Facebook (2 posts)
LinkedIn (1 posts)
POST-EVENT
Sponsorship credit in post Conference Communications
SILVER SPONSOR
$3000
7 SOLD, 1 REMAINING
ONSITE BENEFITS
TWO in-person conference passes
Logo on sponsor slide reel projected between presentations
6’ table (provided) in exhibition hall
Verbal recognition at the events
Corporate literature distributed on Sponsor Table
“Sponsored by” logo included in all event signage and website
Opportunity to provide branded elements to event
PRE-EVENT BENEFITS
Logo and company profile on website
TWO feature e-blasts in OGA’s, sent to the OGA network (over 5000+ industry contacts)
Participation in the OGA Social Media strategy
Twitter (3 tweets)
Facebook (1 post)
LinkedIn (1 post)
POST-EVENT
Sponsorship credit in post Conference Communications
BREAKFAST, LUNCH SPONSOR
$5000
BREAKFAST:
1 AVAILABLE
LUNCH: SOLD OUT
ONSITE BENEFITS
TWO in-person conference passes
Sponsor logo projected
Display materials on sponsor’s table
“Sponsored by” logo included in all event signage and website
Additional signage near the food service areas
Verbal recognition at the events
PRE-EVENT BENEFITS
Logo and company profile on website
Logo and website included in e-blasts sent to the OGA network (over 5000+ industry contacts)
Participation in the OGA’s Social Media strategy
Twitter (3 tweets)
Facebook (1 post)
POST-EVENT
Sponsorship credit in post Conference Communications
NETWORKING EVENT SPONSOR
$5000 EACH
2 AVAILABLE
ONSITE BENEFITS
THREE in-person conference passes
Sponsor logo projected for the reception
“Sponsored by” logo included in all event signage and website
Additional signage near the food service tables
Verbal recognition at the events
PRE-EVENT BENEFITS
Logo and company profile on website
Logo and website included in e-blasts sent to the OGA network (over 5000+ industry contacts)
Participation in the OGA’s Social Media strategy
Twitter (3 tweets)
Facebook (1 post)
POST-EVENT
Sponsorship credit in post Conference Communications
BEVERAGE SPONSOR
$1500 EACH
1 SOLD, 1 REMAINING
ONSITE BENEFITS
ONE in-person Conference pass
Logo on sponsor slide reel projected between presentations
“Sponsored by” logo included in all event signage and website
Verbal recognition at the events
PRE-EVENT BENEFITS
Logo and company profile on website
Logo and website included in e-blasts sent to the OGA network (over 5000+ industry contacts)
Participation in the OGA’s Social Media strategy
Twitter (3 tweets)
Facebook (1 post)
POST-EVENT
Sponsorship credit in post Conference Communication
BUILDING DEVELOPER, ARCHITECT, ENGINEER, SPONSORS
$1000 EACH
5 SOLD,
10 REMAINING
ONSITE BENEFITS
ONE in-person Conference pass
Logo on sponsor slide reel projected between presentations
“Sponsored by” logo included in all event signage and website
verbal recognition at the events
PRE-EVENT BENEFITS
Logo and company profile on website
Logo and website included in e-blasts sent to the OGA network (over 5000+ industry contacts)
Participation in the OGA’s Social Media strategy
Twitter (3 tweets)
Facebook (1 post)
POST-EVENT
Sponsorship credit in post Conference Communication
DISPLAY BOOTHS
$1500
10 AVAILABLE (including sponsor booths)
ONSITE BENEFITS
Display product and literature
Recognition in event marketing
POST-EVENT
Recognition in post conference communications
someaddress@email.com