The second version of TecnoEdificios showed once again the satisfaction of the public for the development of the Congress and the growing interest in knowing and updating on technological issues.
by Duván Chaverra A.
Whether in a meeting of professionals, at a cocktail party, a lunch or other spaces conducive to discussion, training is often not missing from the list of topics of conversation.
That professionals have to be trained, that we have to advise our clients, that the service that is being offered is not the most appropriate, that only good service is offered during the sale and then disappear when closing the business, that we have to update ourselves on new technologies and know how the market is moving.
This and other issues are constantly touched upon among colleagues and members of an industry. It seems clear that training allows to keep the balance level between the novelty offered by the market and the way in which it is presented to the end user or client. I say it seems because between intention and action there is still a wide gap, but it is apparently narrowing.
It is clear that companies still need to be encouraged more to go to trainings, seminars or talks related to their daily jobs, but why are these opportunities still ignored? Lack of budget? Lack of initiative? Lack of knowledge? Lack of interest?
Each of you, according to your experience, will have an answer to the questions raised above. It may be that there may not be many spaces for training; then those who fail are the associations or consulting companies, or is that in Latin America there is not yet a massive culture concerned with learning.
What is a reality is that Medellín, Colombia, hosted one of the events that step by step is gaining ground as a meeting for training and the generation of new business contacts. TecnoEdificios 2011, held last November, showed that in the Andean region the interest in learning about new technologies continues to grow, evidenced by the positive number of attendees who gathered in this space (around 1,500 people between attendees and visitors).
TecnoEdificios 2011 had a program focused on four fundamental axes, of which the issue of air conditioning and comfort as well as sustainability apply more to the industry to which we belong (the others are safety and integration).
Expert speakers presented the latest developments in building technologies. For example, Tad Sodergren, from Lennox Industries, with his talk "Integration of solar panels in HVAC" unveiled a new technology that tries to make its way into the market of the region, and also spoke of the importance of the Congress for professionals and for the company it represents.
"TecnoEdificios is important because we see that the information is being taken to contractors or consultants, but many times that information does not reach the end users, who are really interested in looking for solutions, renewable energies, LEED certifications, etc., so this type of events aimed at building managers are very important", commented the speaker.
Regarding the issue of training, Tad says that the region is on the right track and that many of the U.S. companies that distribute their products in Latin America must still insist much more on bringing information to the public in this area. "In this market we have realized that there is a hunger for technology and information," adds the Lennox representative.
For his part, Fernando Cabrera, consultant at C&C Ingeniería, and who gave the conference "Design and installation of air conditioners for commercial buildings", highlighted the importance of an event such as TecnoEdificios to share knowledge.
"In terms of training levels we are still starting, I think we can improve a lot because in the air conditioning sector there are many deficiencies. The objective of these congresses allows us to transmit that knowledge we have to architects, building managers, administrators, among others, because trying to communicate to everyone the knowledge of air conditioning is very important, "explained Cabrera.
On the other hand, the professional considers that in about two years in Colombia there will be great changes in the air conditioning industry, especially for the issue of energy efficiency: "This is an issue that will hit us very hard and if we are not aware of the issue as a plus that can reduce the production of power plants as generators, the changes will take much longer."
Cabrera added that the region lacks much more tropicalization of technology, and that research as such falls short. "We still have a lot of things to improve but we are taking good steps."
Particular interest in the subject LEED
During the presentation presented by Sergio Ramírez, representative of EBC Ingeniería and the G4S Group, which was called "LEED Certification with a focus on BAS systems (Building Automation Systems), we saw a massive participation of attendees interested in knowing much more about this certification.
The talk showed a lack of knowledge on the subject, but at the same time an interest in knowing the standard, with the intention of applying it to the buildings that administer, manage or advise.
This suggests initially a concern of professionals to achieve a certification that gives much more image to a building and of course reveals the constant concern to contribute responsibly to the protection of the environment.
"The experience has been very rewarding, because I did not expect so much reception at the conference and I did not have in mind that there was so much interest in the subject of LEED Certification. This gives me to understand that we are where we need to be. I see that in Colombia there is a very great reception about this certification, because we want to invest a lot in new solutions and especially in taking care of the environment," said Ramírez.
On TecnoEdificios, the speaker added that "this type of event facilitates dialogue with the different entities so that they understand that this LEED trend is a good for everyone, not only in the management of the environment but also in administrative and maintenance costs."
The latest technologies available
In addition to the academic component, TecnoEdificios had a commercial exhibition in which important companies that offer technologies for the modernization of buildings, such as closed circuit systems, air conditioning, solar panels, lighting, among others, met.
For example, Alejandro Ortiz, from C.I. Laminaire, spoke about his experience as an exhibitor: "I thought it was an excellent opportunity, it met our expectations, it grew compared to last year and we will participate in the fair every year. This space opens many doors for us with end customers and that's why we found it quite interesting, we are not only going to work with contractors but with the end user."
Ramón Burgos, who was a lecturer and exhibitor with Philips, believes that this type of space allows to see a greater interest of the public to adapt the technologies. "At these events installers and designers are very interested in learning about the new offerings. People at our booth could see the novel systems for buildings."
Attendees, satisfied
On the other hand and finally, the attendees of the Congress also showed their satisfaction with the benefit they took from this space: "At the fair I saw that the speakers who knew the topics they discussed; I came with the intention of learning about the construction of smart buildings and I realized that Medellín is a fairly large city with smart buildings, which helped me in my learning. I take a great memory for Ecuador," said Manuel Quichimbo, an electrical engineer specializing in building construction.
For his part, Gustavo Sandoval, in charge of the maintenance area of the Premium Plaza shopping center in Medellín, highlighted the relevance of the appropriate themes to the buildings and considered his participation in the event very profitable: "Really the themes that were handled allow me to apply them to the shopping center where I work and I consider that it will always be important to know the latest developments in technologies and how to apply them to modern buildings."
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