The 30th annual QPMA Oyster Party took place Nov. 6 at Le Rizz Receptions in St-Léonard, QC. The warm and festive atmosphere was an ideal place for visitors to meet customers old and new, and socialize with friends and suppliers in the QPMA, which is at the heart of Quebec’s fruit and vegetable industry.

Business and pleasure with a special flavor
Ghislain Perron, the man behind the oyster party tradition. More photos here . Almost 550 guests were welcomed by QPMA Board President Stephan Schmekel of Fresh Del Monte Produce Canada, convention Chair Isabelle Gingras of Sobeys Québec, Oyster Party Chair Chris Sarantis of Canadawide, as well as the interim executive directors of the association, Marie Gosselin of Mûr Conseil and Robert Beauregard of Gestion Flexco.

Guests enjoyed their fill of tasty, succulent oysters, as well as an impressive variety of delicious entrées featured in a gorgeous, gargantuan and typically Italian buffet. Games in the casino added to the fun, with fresh opportunities for contacts in friendly competition around the tables.

Financial report released
Earlier in the day, a special general meeting was held at which Carole St-Pierre of Bourassa Boyer, the association’s official accountants, presented the annual financial results to the QPMA membership.

Members also adopted the motion that Roland Lafont of Vergers Saint-Paul and Francis Bérubé of Sobeys Québec be made, respectively, first and second vice president of the board of directors.

Stephan Schmekel used the meeting to remind members that “today we’re not only here to thank members, welcome new members, present QPMA achievements and the financial report, but also because we all share values well-known and represented by our directors and members: responsibility, integrity, respect and commitment.”

Interim Executive Director Robert Beauregard also presented the association’s activities report at the meeting.

The QPMA board of directors also took the opportunity to welcome new QPMA members present at the event, including AJIT Transport, AMC Canada, AXXEL Inc., Delmar International, Eskimo Express, MC Produce, Orca Emballages Flexibles Inc./Volm and Pommes Philip Cassidy Inc.

A tradition that has grown through the years
Ghislain Perron was the man behind the oyster party tradition, which started with 50 or 60 participants in a tavern in Anjou and later relocated to its present-day venue at Le Rizz Receptions. While the original party was strictly for serious oyster lovers, its format has changed over the years to accommodate more participants, with a gourmet buffet and an open bar.

Peter Fogarty of Metro Fogarty took over organization of the event in 1995. He passed the torch to Pat Calabretta in 2005, who handed over responsibilities to Stephan Schmekel of Fresh Del Monte Produce Canada in 2010. Since 2014, Chris Sarantis of Canadawide has the job of ensuring its continued success.