COURSES

Professional Development Workshops

Day and Date: Monday, November 17, 2025

Location: Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre, 36035 N Parallel Rd, Abbotsford, BC, V3G 2C6

Room: Pinnacle 1 Room
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:25 PM
CEUs: 0.5 per session (4.0 total for full-day attendance)
Lunch: 12:00 – 1:00 PM (included with registration)

Registration Fees

• IIABC Members: $150 (full-day access, lunch, and CEUs included)
• Non-Members: $250 (full-day access and lunch included; CEUs not recognized by IIABC but may be accepted by other organizations)

One pass per attendee. Passes are non-transferable and cannot be shared between individuals.

What to Expect

This full-day workshop series brings together experts in irrigation, business, health, branding, finance, and sustainability. Designed to benefit both field technicians and business owners, the sessions offer diverse perspectives and actionable strategies that apply across industries. Whether you're in irrigation, trades, management, or looking to grow your professional skillset, you'll walk away with valuable insights and CEUs to support your ongoing development.

Meet Our Speakers

Our speakers represent a dynamic mix of professionals, each bringing deep expertise from a range of sectors including irrigation, business, wellness, finance, education, and sustainability. Whether through advanced academic training, industry certifications, or decades of hands-on experience, each speaker offers unique insight designed to engage, educate, and inspire. This well-rounded lineup ensures that attendees gain practical takeaways, fresh perspectives, and valuable strategies—regardless of their background or area of work.

Click on the speaker’s name or photo in the accompanying document to learn more about their professional background and areas of specialization.

Workshop Schedule and Topics

8:30 – 9:15 AM
Maximizing Irrigation System Performance: Pumps, Pressure, and Practical Fixes
Speaker: Peter Torenvliet
Certified Irrigation Designer (IIABC) & Branch Manager, Southern Irrigation
Learn how to identify and fix common inefficiencies in irrigation systems by understanding pump dynamics and pressure management. This session is ideal for field staff, contractors, and designers who want to increase efficiency, save costs, and improve overall system performance. Includes real-world examples and simple diagnostics.

9:25 – 10:10 AM
Respect & Results: Working Better Together in Trades and Seasonal Teams
Speaker: Marz Hussain
Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) & Founder, The Mindful Workplace
Explore how to build more productive, respectful, and inclusive work environments—especially in fast-paced or seasonal operations. This workshop shares practical tools for improving communication, reducing conflict, and creating better team culture across industries. Great for supervisors, team leads, and anyone managing people.

10:20 – 11:05 AM
Financial Resilience in Seasonal Industries: Lessons from AgriBusiness for Irrigation Professionals
Speaker: Dr. Chris Bodnar
Assistant Professor, Agriculture, University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
Explore how irrigation businesses can thrive in seasonal industries by adopting smart financial strategies from agriculture. This session dives into identifying your true customer, maximizing service value, and navigating currency fluctuations and regulatory shifts to build long-term resilience.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Fit for the Field: Boosting Energy & Wellness in Physically Demanding Work
Speakers: Arsh Bains

Fitness & Wellness Coach

Staying physically healthy directly impacts productivity and morale. This session focuses on fitness and nutrition strategies for individuals working long hours in the field or on job sites. Whether you're managing a crew or working hands-on, this talk offers realistic ways to stay energized.

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch Break (included) (Room: Pinnacle 2)

1:10 – 1:55 PM
Water, Soil & Carbon: What Irrigation Professionals Need to Know About Sustainability
Speaker: Dr. Mark Johnson
Professor & Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia (UBC)
Gain a science-backed understanding of how water use, soil health, and carbon management intersect in today's sustainability landscape. This session is especially valuable as agriculture, landscaping, and construction sectors evolve to meet new environmental demands. Ideal for anyone interested in future-proofing their work.

2:00 – 2:45 PM

The 3-Step Visibility Blueprint for Trades & Irrigation Services: How to Stand Out Locally, Build Trust, and Attract More Clients

Speaker: Susan Friesen
Founder, eVision Media
Your online image can make or break business opportunities. Learn how to strengthen your brand, attract better clients, and stand out in a crowded market through digital marketing and online visibility. This session is helpful for small business owners, independent contractors, and anyone wanting to grow their business presence.

2:50 – 3:35 PM
Keep More of What You Earn: Smart Money Moves for Contractors and Trades Professionals
Speaker: Vishal Gill
Financial Planner & Founder, Portfolio Planning
Financial literacy is key to long-term success. This session covers practical strategies for budgeting, saving, investing, and tax planning—all tailored to the realities of contracting and trade-based work. Whether you're self-employed or employed, walk away with tips to build wealth more effectively.

3:40 – 4:25 PM
The coming agricultural singularity: What it means for you
Speaker: Dr. Lenore Newman
Director, Food & Agriculture Institute; Research Chair, UFV
In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Lenore Newman explores the “agricultural singularity” — the point where technology, climate change, and market forces rapidly reshape the way we grow and manage food. She will outline the emerging tools and trends, from AI-driven farming to precision irrigation, and explain what these shifts mean for your work, your business, and the future of our food systems.

How to Register

1. Review the full agenda in the 2025 Annual Conference Program – Pages 9–10. Download
2. Questions? Contact us:
   Phone/Text: 604-556-1791
   Email: iiabc@irrigationbc.com