The Quebec Produce Marketing Association held its 67th annual convention in scenic Charlevoix, QC, at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu Aug. 21-24. Under the umbrella theme “People at the Heart of the Industry,” more than 500 guests attended the banquet, and attendees enjoyed unique networking events, business sessions, meetings and motivational speeches. The 2013-14 QPMA president, Marie Gosselin of Les Serres du St-Laurent (Savoura), and her husband, Marc Boutet, along with Convention Chair Enrico Charest of Sobeys Quebec Inc. and his partner, Marie-Pierre Daigneault, were on hand to welcome guests.

Celebrating women in leadership roles was a big part of the event, with Gosselin presiding over events. During the annual general meeting, Judith Basque of Loblaw/Provigo joined the executive as second vice president, marking the first time the association’s five-member executive committee included three women. With overwhelming support from the membership, a key change was made to the leadership as QPMA Executive Director Sophie Perreault was named as the association’s new chief executive officer. The key change to the role will help provide more stability to the volunteer executive committee and provide a little more credence and heft to the role when dealing with government. The change was voted upon unanimously by the membership at the AGM.

The 2014-15 executive committee is comprised of Chair Sammy Cacciatore of Sun Grape Marketing, Executive Vice President Stephan Schmekel of Del Monte Fresh Products Canada, second Vice President Judith Basque of Provigo/Loblaw, Past-President Marie Gosselin of Savoura, and newly minted QPMA CEO Sophie Perreault. Pat Calabretta of Metro joined the ranks of QPMA governors while Peter Snyder Jr. of S&S Forwarding and Gilles Motard of Hector Larivée were appointed to the board as members.

“Our association is moving ahead as never before, and I’m glad that I’ve been able to contribute. I certainly plan to stay on the scene and keep actively involved in the QPMA,” stated Gosselin, whose presidency was a busy one with strategic planning and revisions to the organizational structure. Key work on government relations and issues management were a big focus in the past year as well.

“It’s a great pleasure to see Sammy become my successor. He’s a hard worker, he’s a straight talker, a committed guy,” said Gosselin by way of introducing Cacciatore.

“I’m deeply convinced of the need for the QPMA. There’s simply no other place like ours where all the stakeholders in the Quebec produce industry can get together,” said Cacciatore in his introductory speech as the incoming QPMA president. He thanked and commended Gosselin on the hard work during her tenure and terrific strides over the past year, particularly in the strategic planning, association governance and modernization of the mission and structure of the association.

Continuing with the women in leadership roles, Bernadette Hamel, vice president, national procurement, produce for Metro Richelieu Inc., was named Pillar of the Industry for 2014 during the closing banquet. Hamel is the first woman in QPMA history to receive this honor.

For the third year in a row, companies were able to include products in a new product showcase. This year saw 22 companies include 26 new products, ranging from salad and stir-fry blends, convenience packaging for families, to new kid-friendly snack sizes. New this year, the convention added a children’s program complete with activities such as cooking workshops and a mini-golf tournament making it easier for the whole family to be onsite.

In its third year, QPMA’s succession planning and mentorship program, Cultivating the Next Generation, named its newest recruit, Pierre Landry Jr. of Sobey’s Quebec. Landry will have the opportunity over the coming year to actively participate in association events, meetings and dealings with outside partners. 2013-14 intern, Pascal Guérin of Les Jardins A. Guérin et fils, gave a moving overview of his year in the role. He singled out for their support, time and commitment, the QPMA team, his mentor for the year Robert Beauregard of Gestion FLExCo, Cultivating the Next Generation Committee President Bernard Côté, and Gosselin. “Thank you to all those that supported me throughout the process, that introduced me to others, that encouraged me, and that helped me see an industry where mutual help exists even between competitors, a rarity in the business world,” said Guérin.

Keeping with its tradition of unique and entertaining events, attendees were invited to a slew of activities, including whale watching, a scenic train ride along the St. Lawrence or a day of golf on the challenging and majestic Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu golf course. The convention wouldn’t be complete without QPMA spokesperson and nutrition consultant Julie DesGroseilliers celebrating participants, a record 194 participants, in the ‘I love 5 to 10 servings a day’ contest supporting promotional efforts to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Business sessions for the convention included guest speaker François Houde, president of Varium, a consulting firm in psychosocial marketing whose session included a look at food stress syndrome and the impact of benefits and risks of produce. Luc Dupont, a leading marketing and communications expert entertained and informed attendees on the effective use of social media. An engaging guest speaker, Dupont doled out best practices, tips and strategies to implement today to help maximize sales. Rowing sensation Mylène Paquette was the keynote speaker at the brunch, enthralling the audience with her incredible 5,000 kilometers solo crossing of the North Atlantic without motor or sail.

The 2015 QPMA Convention will be held Aug. 20-22 at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec under the theme, “A Healthy Industry, A Shared Responsibility.”