QPMA holds 59th annual convention
QPMA holds 59th annual convention
GATINEAU, QC -- Over 400 members, partners and guests of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association descended on the Hilton Lac Leamy, here, for the association's 59th annual convention Aug. 17-19.
Before handing over the gavel to the association's new president, Michel Levac, president and chief executive officer of Bellemont Powell, outgoing President Daniel Decelle, manager of C.H. Robinson Co. (Canada) Ltd.'s Montreal offices, told 434 people assembled at the association's closing banquet "that as the QPMA approaches its 60th anniversary, I am proud of the significant place it has earned in the industry, and I congratulate my predecessors' commitment and vision."
Mr. Levac told the audience that the QPMA "still has many challenges to face, but you have my word that the QPMA will continue to play a significant role for the next 60 years."
Stephen Dolbec, president of Pataes Dolbec Inc., was appointed QPMA's second vice president, and Bernadette Hamel, Metro Richelieu Inc.'s merchandising director, now serves as the association's first vice president.
For the first time in many years, the QPMA membership voted for a new member for its board of directors at its general meeting, and in a close vote, it elected Roland Lafont of Vergers St.-Paul.
In her report to the association, Sophie Perreault, the QPMA's executive director, said that the association will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2007, and as a takeoff on its very successful "I love 5 to 10 a day" campaign, the association released a "60 Years of Love" logo that will be used to help promote the occasion. Ms. Perreault said that the association's board voted to extend the funding for its "I love" campaign, which is now in its third year, through 2010. It also wants members to help promote the "I love" campaign, and over the next year, it will be conducting a contest to get members to use the campaign's logo in various places, such as their advertising materials and bags. "We want to encourage members to take [I love 5 to 10] and make it live," she said.
Ms. Perreault was proud of the work that Julie Desgroseilliers, a registered dietician and the new spokesperson for the QPMA's "I love 5 to 10" campaign, had done over the past year. "She is good at explaining and has a good image," she said.
She noted that "the first target of the campaign was the public at large, but now the QPMA is going to specifically target women ages 25-45, as they are the ones who do most of the food shopping as well as doing some social work with children."
The QPMA's strategic plan will end in 2006, and its board is currently working on a new strategic plan for 2007 through 2010, she said.
Ms. Perreault also told the audience that this past year was the first time that the association had a booth at the Produce Marketing Association's annual Fresh Summit and the New England Produce Council's exposition, which is held in Boston. "This is the first time we are working with international links because we think it is time that Quebec has to get known outside of Quebec," she said.
Ms. Perreault added that the QPMA's 2007 convention will take place Aug. 23-25 in Mount Tremblant, QC.
Before handing over the gavel to the association's new president, Michel Levac, president and chief executive officer of Bellemont Powell, outgoing President Daniel Decelle, manager of C.H. Robinson Co. (Canada) Ltd.'s Montreal offices, told 434 people assembled at the association's closing banquet "that as the QPMA approaches its 60th anniversary, I am proud of the significant place it has earned in the industry, and I congratulate my predecessors' commitment and vision."
Mr. Levac told the audience that the QPMA "still has many challenges to face, but you have my word that the QPMA will continue to play a significant role for the next 60 years."
Stephen Dolbec, president of Pataes Dolbec Inc., was appointed QPMA's second vice president, and Bernadette Hamel, Metro Richelieu Inc.'s merchandising director, now serves as the association's first vice president.
For the first time in many years, the QPMA membership voted for a new member for its board of directors at its general meeting, and in a close vote, it elected Roland Lafont of Vergers St.-Paul.
In her report to the association, Sophie Perreault, the QPMA's executive director, said that the association will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2007, and as a takeoff on its very successful "I love 5 to 10 a day" campaign, the association released a "60 Years of Love" logo that will be used to help promote the occasion. Ms. Perreault said that the association's board voted to extend the funding for its "I love" campaign, which is now in its third year, through 2010. It also wants members to help promote the "I love" campaign, and over the next year, it will be conducting a contest to get members to use the campaign's logo in various places, such as their advertising materials and bags. "We want to encourage members to take [I love 5 to 10] and make it live," she said.
Ms. Perreault was proud of the work that Julie Desgroseilliers, a registered dietician and the new spokesperson for the QPMA's "I love 5 to 10" campaign, had done over the past year. "She is good at explaining and has a good image," she said.
She noted that "the first target of the campaign was the public at large, but now the QPMA is going to specifically target women ages 25-45, as they are the ones who do most of the food shopping as well as doing some social work with children."
The QPMA's strategic plan will end in 2006, and its board is currently working on a new strategic plan for 2007 through 2010, she said.
Ms. Perreault also told the audience that this past year was the first time that the association had a booth at the Produce Marketing Association's annual Fresh Summit and the New England Produce Council's exposition, which is held in Boston. "This is the first time we are working with international links because we think it is time that Quebec has to get known outside of Quebec," she said.
Ms. Perreault added that the QPMA's 2007 convention will take place Aug. 23-25 in Mount Tremblant, QC.
