Description

*Registration closes on Friday, Jan 23 at 2:00 PM. Please register before this date to guarantee your entree selection & seat.*

*Early bird ticket pricing is available until January 11th until 4:00PM. 

HAVAN’s Legends of Housing is a premier annual dinner spotlighting leaders who have shaped Metro Vancouver’s residential construction industry. The 2026 theme, Legends of Housing: The Changemakers, highlights influential figures working behind the scenes in support of homebuilders, renovators, suppliers, and the broader housing sector.

This year’s program features a candid, moderated conversation with industry leaders Ben Taddei, Partner and CEO of Conwest Developments, and Gary Pooni, President and CEO of The Pooni Group, moderated by Scott Brown, CEO of Gandalf Holdings Ltd. Together, they will share insights on the current marketplace and the strategies needed to address today’s market challenges. Drawing on decades of leadership across development, planning, marketing, and governance, attendees will hear firsthand perspectives on decision-making, market cycles, and the forces shaping housing delivery across the region.

Hosted by HAVAN’s Government Relations Committee, Legends of Housing: The Changemakers brings together more than 250 guests, including C-suite and senior executives, elected officials, industry leaders, developers, builders, and HAVAN members. The evening offers thoughtful discussion, meaningful connection, and practical insight from leaders who continue to influence the industry.

Legends of Housing sells out each year. Early registration is strongly encouraged.

View 2025 images and the 2025 highlight reel.

Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact us (info@havan.ca)

Please note: Once you have registered for your ticket, no refunds will be provided. Thank you for understanding.

MEET THE LEGEND CHANGE MAKERS:

Ben Taddei, Partner and COO
Conwest Developments

Ben is a Partner and the Chief Operating Officer at Conwest Developments, one of Vancouver's leading privately held development companies. Conwest has been active in the Greater Vancouver Area for over 40 years and has current business lines in industrial, commercial, and residential development as well as in civil infrastructure construction.

Ben has almost four decades of development and construction experience within Greater Vancouver with a strong reputation as a strategist, entrepreneur, innovator, and business operator. He’s been part of leading and building some of the strongest brands in the local development industry and has delivered innovative projects across the residential, industrial, retail, and commercial sectors.

Ben has played a pivotal role in guiding his companies to win some of the most prestigious accolades in the real estate development industry, including the ULI Global Award for Excellence and multiple ULI Americas Awards for Excellence.

Under his leadership, the Conwest Group of Companies has also earned recognition for its outstanding workplace culture, receiving numerous HR awards such as the 2024 Best Employer Branding Excellence Award from the Canadian HR Awards, the 2024 Employer of the Year Finalist designation from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Business Distinction Awards, and the Canadian HR Reporter Best Places to Work Award from 2021 to 2023.

Gary Pooni, President and CEO
The Pooni Group

With nearly 30 years of urban planning-related experience, Pooni Group president Gary Pooni has spearheaded some of the country's most complex real estate projects and has made Vancouver magazine’s annual Power 50 list consecutively since 2022. Gary is passionate about his community and has been part of several boards, including the Urban Development Institute, the Provincial Health Services Authority, the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Foundation and SUCCESS. Additionally, Gary has a non-profit family foundation (Pooni Group Foundation) that is committed to giving back to several local initiatives, including Fraser Academy, Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster Secondary School and more. 

Scott Brown, CEO
Gandalf Holdings Ltd.

Scott Brown is a senior real estate marketing executive with more than 30 years of experience leading large-scale residential sales and marketing programs. He spent over a decade with Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing Ltd., including serving as President and CEO, where he led high-performing teams and advised developers on go-to-market strategy, positioning, and sales execution. His work spans local and international markets, with experience supporting residential projects across North America and Asia and working with global buyer audiences in competitive, high-stakes environments.

Today, Scott focuses on governance, mentorship, and strategic advisory work through Gandalf Holdings. He serves as a Director with the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade, contributing senior-level business insight to support regional economic growth. He is also a Certified Forum Chair with MacKay CEO Forums, where he mentors CEOs and senior leaders, drawing on decades of executive experience to guide peer groups through growth, change, and complex leadership decisions.