Professional Development is critical to anyone in the workforce.
It is often asked what is the importance of continuing professional development and why does it matter?
When you have finished your degree, completed practical experience requirements and started your career, it’s fair to say the first part of your mission is well and truly accomplished. Sit back and give yourself a pat on the back. But don’t take too long doing it or you’ll be lagging behind your colleagues. The same is true for professionals with many years experience in the workplace.
Continuing professional development is important because it ensures you continue to be competent in your profession. It is an ongoing process and continues throughout a professional’s career.
The ultimate outcome of well planned continuing professional development is that it safeguards the public, the employer, the professional and the professional’s career.
BOMA will be identifying resources, courses and organizing events to assist you in our own professional development.
Women@BOMA Program
BOMA Ottawa
Do you wish you had more time to get to know your exceptional female colleagues in the real estate industry? Are you interested in helping to build a stronger women’s network to enhance the already strong relationships in BOMA Ottawa? If so, this program could be for you.
Committee Goals and Objectives
- Provide a community of shared ideas to professional women within BOMA Ottawa.
- Support women in commercial real estate industry (both Corporate and Allied Members)
- Provide an opportunity to allow women to collectively contribute through events, social media, and newsletters with the goal of ultimately assisting members with further career development.
- Participate and contribute within an event supporting BOMA’s charity of choice.
- Facilitate an introduction to BOMA Ottawa for new members who may be seeking a peer-to-peer experience within our organization.
- Provide a new opportunity to enrich the value of BOMA Ottawa membership.
Previous Topic Events Held
Career Rewind / Eat Speak Explore / Always a Take-Away / Celebrating 150 Years of Women / Be Your Authentic Self / Real and Raw and Social Connection / Happiness - 10th Anniversary / Change is Good
If the 'Opportunity Knocks' with BOMA Ottawa, Take It!
BOMA Ottawa
Launching a new Allied program for our BOMA Ottawa newsletter. We would like to introduce members to our Allied Network, of Service Providers, in the Commercial Real Estate Industry. It's a section of our newsletter, where we will highlight members, through Social Expression, Professional Development and Interesting Projects. If you would like to be highlighted, see attached for more details.
Emerging Leaders Network
BOMA Ottawa
Emerging Leaders (ELN). This forum will help engage young Property Managers, Owners, and Service Industry Professionals to provide an opportunity to collectively contribute and develop through events, social media, newsletters and professional development, while providing an introduction to BOMA.
In the months to come, our newly formed Committee, consisting of member companies, will be evolving our goals and objectives, but here are a few;
- A great opportunity to get to know likeminded commercial real estate professionals (35 & under)
- Help build key relationships, value of participating with all members of BOMA
- Further enhance careers
- Planning, program benefits, recruitment & marketing and finally activities
We are asking Senior Leaders of Property Management Companies and Allied Service Providers to provide this information on to your employees who you believe could benefit from this program. To have them participate please provide us with contact names and emails, as we will be creating a database of names/companies for the ELN, whereby we can encourage them to participate in upcoming events and education sessions.
Building Systems Essentials For Building Operators
BOMA Ottawa and Algonquin College
Building Systems Essentials Overview
In collaboration with Algonquin College, BOMA is pleased to announce its popular Building Systems Essential Series returns in 2025 as an in Class Format. All courses will be held at 141 Laurier Ave W, 6th Floor, Suite 603 (between Metcalfe and Elgin) between 8:30am and 12:00pm on their scheduled days.
This series, produced in collaboration with Algonquin College, is made up of 7 independent half-day courses. The series has drawn positive reviews from Building Operators who want a refresher on the various topics in the series, as well as from other commercial real estate practitioners that want to get a better sense of how things work in major office buildings.
A great place to learn from a qualified Algonquin instructor, as well as providing an opportunity to hear from others in the commercial real estate world and share experiences. Download a prospective of the entire seven part series, or check out the individual course summaries below.
Registration Now Open
This seminar discusses building air conditioning and refrigeration systems in more detail. Participants will receive instruction on the many aspects of building air conditioning systems including the air conditioning process, central plants, system components, system operations, controls, and maintenance procedures, relevant Acts, Standards, Codes and Regulations, Safety Precautions and Environmental Concerns.
Water Treatment and Fire Protection Systems - April 17th, 2025
This seminar combines water treatment and fire protection systems to provide participants with a good understanding of these systems and how they impact the operation and safety of commercial properties. The topics covered will include water and humidification systems, water treatment, water efficiency, chemical handling, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, exhaust systems, maintenance procedures and record keeping requirements, relevant Acts, Codes, Standards and Regulations and health and safety procedures. The seminar will also discuss new upcoming standards for Intelligibility and Audibility.
Air Handling Systems - May 22, 2025
Operation and maintenance of commercial air handling systems are the focus of this seminar. Building Operators will be provided with a general knowledge and good understanding of the many components and maintenance requirements of these systems including principles of air flow, supply, return and exhaust systems, ventilation requirements, duct design considerations, indoor air quality assessments, seasonal requirements, occupancy limits, relevant Acts, Codes, Standards and Regulations, Regulator Authorities and more.
Building Control Systems - June 19th, 2025
This seminar provides an introductory look at the control systems and devices that can be applied in the operation of commercial properties. Participants will gain a basic understanding of efficiency and control strategies and how the following can be used to implement such strategies: sensors, controllers and control devices, control types, building automation systems, control system integration, maintenance procedures, relevant Acts, Codes, Standards and Regulations and safety precautions.
Heating Systems - September 18th, 2025
This seminar covers the operation and maintenance of commercial heating and air handling systems. The topics discussed will include an overview of the types of heating systems available, system components and construction, heat distribution, system operations and efficiency techniques, maintenance procedures, relevant Acts, Codes, Standards and Regulations, Regulatory Authorities, and safety precautions.
Energy Efficiency for Buildings - October 16th, 2025
This seminar will provide operators with increased knowledge and awareness of the many ways increased energy efficiency can be achieved in commercial building operations. The seminar will provide an overview of the building envelope and the building as a system. It will also discuss energy audits and retro-commissioning, lighting systems and controls, IESP pricing, Smart metering, natural gas applications, water conservation opportunities, co-generation and renewable energy, tenant energy use and tenant engagement. Participants will also learn how to develop a business case to determine simple payback and return on investments and how to successfully implement opportunities for increased efficiency.
Building Electrical Systems - November 20th, 2025
This seminar introduces the fundamental concepts and principals of electricity in the following areas of instructions: electrical system components, arc flash, emergency power supply, system maintenance, switch poles and throws, electrical testing and troubleshooting, relevant Acts, Codes, Standards and Regulations, Regulatory Authorities and Health and Safety procedures.
Thank you to Jennings Real Estate for supporting the Building Systems Essentials Program
Hays Canada DNA Series
Hays Canada
Hays Canada DNA series takes a look at what it takes to achieve a leading role in finance, construction and property and IT, to name only a few. For ambitious professionals this series provides insight into personal career planning, common obstacles, qualifications that really matter and the impact of people management.
BOMA Plan Reading Course
Algonquin College Corporate Training Centre
The reading of construction blueprints is a foundational skill in property management. This half day course, offered in cooperation and partnership with Algonquin College, provides an introduction to plan reading for commercial construction projects. Working with a set of typical working drawings, the course takes participants through the basics of blueprint reading and covers the following topics:
· Contractual obligations; and applicable law, standards, bylaws and codes pertinent to the building permit application process;
· Interdependence of disciplines including architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical specifications;
· Scale and units of measurement, metric & imperial;
· Drawing revisions, legend symbols, equipment schedules, door and frame schedules and finishes schedule;
· Structural concrete, masonry, structural steel systems and insulation materials for a commercial building project;
· Properties of insulation materials;
· Interior systems such as walls, ceilings, millwork, carpet and finishes.
Courses will be scheduled in 2025. The 1/2 Day course runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.