VANTAGE POINT: Guess what was missing at the CPMA show?
VANTAGE POINT: Guess what was missing at the CPMA show?
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's 80th annual convention and trade show in Toronto had all the usual accoutrements: educational workshops, engaging speakers, exciting presentations of awards, field tours, fun-filled social events, a dynamic exposition.
One item, however, was missing: snow.
Also sub-freezing temperatures, packing thermal clothing and de-icing of planes.
After years and years of meeting in the dead of winter, CPMA decided to shift the timing of its wonderful annual event to springtime. And I for one am really glad.
I attended my first CPMA convention back in 1984. It was the 59th annual gathering of what was then called the Canadian Fruit Wholesalers' Association, and it met, coincidentally, in Toronto. Tony Arrigo was president of the association.
I heard David Bernstein, then with Sunkist Growers, deliver the keynote address to the 700 or so people who attended that convention, which was themed "Fresh Has No Bounds." I remember attending a workshop on how turnover is the key to profits and another on the development of a retail training program.
(Full disclosure: I don't actually remember all the details of that convention, but I looked them up in the archives of The Produce News.)
I also remember -- from that convention in 1984 and from subsequent conventions in different cities throughout Canada -- the frigid temperatures and airport delays that seemed to accompany every CPMA convention.
No more.
Beginning with the show just held May 11-14, CPMA has moved its annual convention from the dead of
winter to the delightful spring, allowing attendees to experience not only a great convention but the charms of whichever city has the honor hosting CPMA.
[Next year's convention and trade show will take place March 22-25 in Vancouver, BC. The March date was chosen due to space availability at the convention center in Vancouver, according to CPMA, and the schedule of late April-early May will continue in 2007.]
There always seemed to be talk among CPMA staff, member-companies and the general industry about moving the convention, trying to take into account the needs of all concerned, including the farmers and growers for whom the winter offered an opportune time to travel. I was not privy, of course, to the internal discussions that must have taken place on this subject, but it was surely a bold decision to move a successful convention from its comfortable time period to one that might prove inconvenient.
After all, it's always tough to argue with success. The argument, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it, is a compelling one indeed.
I asked a number of people at the just-completed show what they thought of the shift in scheduling. It is definitely not a statistically accurate sampling, as they say, just the thoughts of some folks who have been going to the Canadian convention for a long, long time.
Jim Carr of The Blue Book said, "We're enjoying Toronto in the spring. I think it was a good move.
Dave Parker of Fruit Patch Sales said, "It probably depends on your seasonality. Winter was a good kickoff for those with summer crops. But "wherever you place a convention, you'll have some in favor and some detractors. This [spring] timing does allow Canadians to show off their country, so three cheers for the May convention.
Kurt Zuhlke of Kurt Zuhlke & Associates, who has been attending CPMA shows for 25 years, said, "The move was fine, but the floor's been a little light. It's important as a supplier of materials to meet farmers, growers and shippers. And so far I haven't seen many of them.
Al Murray of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture said, "What's nice about [the springtime] is we get to see these major cities. The nicer weather "makes it easier to get around. But I sort of miss the old way because it broke up the winter.
CeCe Krumrine of the National Watermelon Promotion Board said, "I'm really going to miss it in the winter. It was a good time for pre-planning. But I hope [the new timing] is successful. This is really my favorite show. Stephanie Hilton of Beach Street Farms said, "I certainly love the fact that snow isn't an issue. I enjoy the fact that it's at a warmer time of the year.
Mike Buszuwski of Domex said, "Everyone can get together and see Toronto. Traveling is a lot easier. There's been no loss of personal contact. Inside the exhibit hall, nothing has changed. I really like it. I feel very comfortable with it.
David Mixon of Seald Sweet said, "Praise the Lord! He added, "For a Floridian to come to the Canadian convention in the dead of winter -- it was pathetic. I think there's more attendance at the convention than in many years. As for traffic at the trade show, he said, "I'm very pleased.
Paula Fouchek of Edinburg Citrus Association, another 25-year veteran of CPMA conventions, said, "I think it's been great. Your suitcase doesn't weigh 50 pounds with heavy coats. She added, "The show continues to grow, and I think moderate weather will help and will let people enjoy the city. This is the first time I've ever had short sleeves at a CPMA convention. This is really a top-notch show.
One item, however, was missing: snow.
Also sub-freezing temperatures, packing thermal clothing and de-icing of planes.
After years and years of meeting in the dead of winter, CPMA decided to shift the timing of its wonderful annual event to springtime. And I for one am really glad.
I attended my first CPMA convention back in 1984. It was the 59th annual gathering of what was then called the Canadian Fruit Wholesalers' Association, and it met, coincidentally, in Toronto. Tony Arrigo was president of the association.
I heard David Bernstein, then with Sunkist Growers, deliver the keynote address to the 700 or so people who attended that convention, which was themed "Fresh Has No Bounds." I remember attending a workshop on how turnover is the key to profits and another on the development of a retail training program.
(Full disclosure: I don't actually remember all the details of that convention, but I looked them up in the archives of The Produce News.)
I also remember -- from that convention in 1984 and from subsequent conventions in different cities throughout Canada -- the frigid temperatures and airport delays that seemed to accompany every CPMA convention.
No more.
Beginning with the show just held May 11-14, CPMA has moved its annual convention from the dead of
winter to the delightful spring, allowing attendees to experience not only a great convention but the charms of whichever city has the honor hosting CPMA.
[Next year's convention and trade show will take place March 22-25 in Vancouver, BC. The March date was chosen due to space availability at the convention center in Vancouver, according to CPMA, and the schedule of late April-early May will continue in 2007.]
There always seemed to be talk among CPMA staff, member-companies and the general industry about moving the convention, trying to take into account the needs of all concerned, including the farmers and growers for whom the winter offered an opportune time to travel. I was not privy, of course, to the internal discussions that must have taken place on this subject, but it was surely a bold decision to move a successful convention from its comfortable time period to one that might prove inconvenient.
After all, it's always tough to argue with success. The argument, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it, is a compelling one indeed.
I asked a number of people at the just-completed show what they thought of the shift in scheduling. It is definitely not a statistically accurate sampling, as they say, just the thoughts of some folks who have been going to the Canadian convention for a long, long time.
Jim Carr of The Blue Book said, "We're enjoying Toronto in the spring. I think it was a good move.
Dave Parker of Fruit Patch Sales said, "It probably depends on your seasonality. Winter was a good kickoff for those with summer crops. But "wherever you place a convention, you'll have some in favor and some detractors. This [spring] timing does allow Canadians to show off their country, so three cheers for the May convention.
Kurt Zuhlke of Kurt Zuhlke & Associates, who has been attending CPMA shows for 25 years, said, "The move was fine, but the floor's been a little light. It's important as a supplier of materials to meet farmers, growers and shippers. And so far I haven't seen many of them.
Al Murray of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture said, "What's nice about [the springtime] is we get to see these major cities. The nicer weather "makes it easier to get around. But I sort of miss the old way because it broke up the winter.
CeCe Krumrine of the National Watermelon Promotion Board said, "I'm really going to miss it in the winter. It was a good time for pre-planning. But I hope [the new timing] is successful. This is really my favorite show. Stephanie Hilton of Beach Street Farms said, "I certainly love the fact that snow isn't an issue. I enjoy the fact that it's at a warmer time of the year.
Mike Buszuwski of Domex said, "Everyone can get together and see Toronto. Traveling is a lot easier. There's been no loss of personal contact. Inside the exhibit hall, nothing has changed. I really like it. I feel very comfortable with it.
David Mixon of Seald Sweet said, "Praise the Lord! He added, "For a Floridian to come to the Canadian convention in the dead of winter -- it was pathetic. I think there's more attendance at the convention than in many years. As for traffic at the trade show, he said, "I'm very pleased.
Paula Fouchek of Edinburg Citrus Association, another 25-year veteran of CPMA conventions, said, "I think it's been great. Your suitcase doesn't weigh 50 pounds with heavy coats. She added, "The show continues to grow, and I think moderate weather will help and will let people enjoy the city. This is the first time I've ever had short sleeves at a CPMA convention. This is really a top-notch show.
