QPMA gears up for 59th annual convention
QPMA gears up for 59th annual convention
The Quebec Produce Marketing Association will welcome partners, members and guests to its 59th annual convention Aug. 17-19 at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, QC.
Working with the theme "QPMA: At the Heart of the Industry," association members, including President Daniel Decelle and convention Chairman Chris Kyriopoulos, have prepared an impressive program for attendees.
The convention kicks off the evening of Aug. 17 with a president's reception followed the next day by a round of golf at the Hautes Plaines Golf Club; a tour of Canada's capital city, Ottawa, which is located just across the Ottawa River from the convention hotel; and a "Far West Express" dinner, where guests can come dressed in costume for the event, which will have the background of the Wild West town of "Dalton Lac Leamy."
After the association's annual general meeting Aug. 19, two renowned speakers will give presentations. Dr. Richard B?liveau, author of the best-selling book Foods that Fight Cancer, will speak on the same topic, while Laurent Pellerin, president of Quebec's Union des Producteurs Agricoles, will speak about market globalization.
An industry brunch will follow the presentations and attendees will be able to hear from the key players who have helped the QPMA promote its mission of promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables in 2005-06 as well as some of the things the association has in store for the coming year.
Michel Lapierre, president of Les Enterprises Michel Lapierre Inc., the parent company of Le March? V?g?tarien and Panier Fraicheur, a successful Quebec produce retail chain, will be honored at the closing banquet, where he will receive the QPMA's coveted Pillar of the Industry tribute for 2006.
Following the evening's banquet, attendees may visit the president's suite, where they can meet Mr. Decelle and the association's president-elect for 2006-07, Michel Levac.
Sophie Perreault, the association's executive director, said that "people are waiting for this event, as it is the largest fresh produce event in Quebec during the year. We have seen an increase in the number of participants over the years, not just from Quebec but also from the rest of Canada and the United States. This proves that the industry is healthy, as it is linking everyone. What makes the event successful is that is that it is really a networking occasion, but we manage to keep a family atmosphere. We have a good mix between the social and the networking opportunities and business sessions and that makes the difference, as there are plenty of other conferences and conventions. This is what makes it special."
Working with the theme "QPMA: At the Heart of the Industry," association members, including President Daniel Decelle and convention Chairman Chris Kyriopoulos, have prepared an impressive program for attendees.
The convention kicks off the evening of Aug. 17 with a president's reception followed the next day by a round of golf at the Hautes Plaines Golf Club; a tour of Canada's capital city, Ottawa, which is located just across the Ottawa River from the convention hotel; and a "Far West Express" dinner, where guests can come dressed in costume for the event, which will have the background of the Wild West town of "Dalton Lac Leamy."
After the association's annual general meeting Aug. 19, two renowned speakers will give presentations. Dr. Richard B?liveau, author of the best-selling book Foods that Fight Cancer, will speak on the same topic, while Laurent Pellerin, president of Quebec's Union des Producteurs Agricoles, will speak about market globalization.
An industry brunch will follow the presentations and attendees will be able to hear from the key players who have helped the QPMA promote its mission of promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables in 2005-06 as well as some of the things the association has in store for the coming year.
Michel Lapierre, president of Les Enterprises Michel Lapierre Inc., the parent company of Le March? V?g?tarien and Panier Fraicheur, a successful Quebec produce retail chain, will be honored at the closing banquet, where he will receive the QPMA's coveted Pillar of the Industry tribute for 2006.
Following the evening's banquet, attendees may visit the president's suite, where they can meet Mr. Decelle and the association's president-elect for 2006-07, Michel Levac.
Sophie Perreault, the association's executive director, said that "people are waiting for this event, as it is the largest fresh produce event in Quebec during the year. We have seen an increase in the number of participants over the years, not just from Quebec but also from the rest of Canada and the United States. This proves that the industry is healthy, as it is linking everyone. What makes the event successful is that is that it is really a networking occasion, but we manage to keep a family atmosphere. We have a good mix between the social and the networking opportunities and business sessions and that makes the difference, as there are plenty of other conferences and conventions. This is what makes it special."
