Conference MAY 27 – 31 A Good Ol’ Manitoba Social By Erik Missio T he tradition of the ‘social’ is an important one in Manitoba. The idea is simple—bring together a bunch of people for a good time and, in the process, raise some money. Historically, socials were linked with couples getting married, hoping for a nest egg to start their life together, but it is increasingly used for other charities and benefits. The hallmarks were simple—rent out a space and offer some raffles and draws, drinks and dinner (and a late-night snack table), fun and dancing, and rely on the generosity of those in your community. It might seem surprising, but there are actually quite a few parallels between the concept of the Manitoba social and the Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) Annual Conference. Both bring together an otherwise diverse community, both unite people for a common cause (although CSC’s mission of improving communication in the built environment is a little more complicated than a typical fundraiser), and both understand the importance of offering a good time. This year’s conference, held at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel from May 27 to 31, fittingly featured a Manitoba social as part of its CGC- sponsored Fun Night. Held in the beautifully restored Metropolitan Theatre and featuring 54 July 2015 CC_July_15.indd 54 Co nstruction Canada 2015-06-22 10:20 AM