Record participation at CPMA trade show in Montreal
Record participation at CPMA trade show in Montreal
MONTREAL -- The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's recently completed convention was shorter in duration than in previous years, but CPMA officials termed it successful in all respects, from workshops to social events, from speakers to the trade show.
The 82nd annual convention, held here May 9-11, was a three-day event - one day shorter than in previous years.
The welcoming reception Wednesday evening, May 9, allowed some networking opportunities before the convention got down to business the following morning with the joint delegates breakfast, highlighted by keynote speaker Larry Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Montreal Alouettes football team.
Also at this breakfast session, the first Mary FitzGerald Award was presented to Sophie Perreault, executive director of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association. The award, to be given annually, is a partnership between Chiquita Brands International and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. It recognizes an individual who embodies the passion and dedication to the produce industry as displayed by its namesake. Sherrie L. Terry, Chiquita's vice president of sales operation, presented the award to Ms. Perreault.
After a series of concurrent workshops, the delegates luncheon featured another keynote speaker, Lyn Howard, executive producer of the popular Cirque du Soleil show, who spoke on "The sparks: igniting the creative fire that lives within us all."
After Ms. Howard's presentation, The Produce News awarded the 2007 Fresh Health Award to Loblaw Cos. Ltd. in recognition of its work in promoting the 5 to 10 a day message and increasing produce consumption among Canadian consumers.
"Since the launch of the first national promotional program by the then Fresh for Flavour Foundation in 1990, which was called 'Reach for it 5 to 10 a day' and the precursor to the current program, the Loblaw family of companies has played an active role in supporting the generic industry message to promote the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables," Joel Gebet, Canadian editor of The Produce News, said in announcing the winner of the award, which is a joint effort with CPMA.
Larry Kieswetter, senior director of produce procurement at Loblaw Cos., accepted the award for his company.
Also during the convention, CPMA recognized Robert Sawyer, senior vice president of Metro Inc.'s Quebec division, for his longstanding support of the association and the industry, and presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Sawyer served on the association's board of directors for many years, including a year as chairman in 1993.
One of the highlights of the convention, as always, was the trade show, which this year featured the most participation ever with over 230 exhibiting companies and strong participation with registrants from 22 countries, according to numbers provided by CPMA.
"This was a fantastic year for retail and wholesaler participation," Ron Lemaire, CPMA's executive vice president and director of marketing, said in a statement. "In a show where you have almost as many retailers and wholesalers walking the floor as growers, the opportunity to do business is unsurpassed."
This year's show also featured the Best Booth Competition, which debuted in Vancouver in 2006. Winners this year in Montreal were Peak of the Market in the island category and Ponderosa Mushrooms in the inline category.
CPMA debuted a new feature of the trade show this year with the chef's demo area, which allowed participating exhibitors to feature their produce in their own recipes prepared by talented local chefs.
Rick Alcocer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., one of the sponsors of the demo area, said in the statement, "It was a fun, comfortable format to showcase some great recipes and to educate the chefs and audience about our great- tasting vegetables. We look forward to Calgary."
Added Mr. Lemaire, "CPMA is becoming increasingly recognized as the pre- eminent boutique-style produce trade show. The combination of an intimate atmosphere and business and social programs provides an unmatched networking opportunity."
CPMA President Danny Dempster told The Produce News midway through the convention that he thought the convention had been "very well received," adding, "I've heard a lot of people like the shortened format."
As a matter of course, he said that CPMA staff would be examining all facets of the convention to see what worked best. And while some changes might be considered for next year's gathering, he said, "I don't think we'll tinker greatly with it."
After next year's convention and trade show in Calgary, CPMA will move to Toronto in 2009 and Vancouver in 2010.
The 82nd annual convention, held here May 9-11, was a three-day event - one day shorter than in previous years.
The welcoming reception Wednesday evening, May 9, allowed some networking opportunities before the convention got down to business the following morning with the joint delegates breakfast, highlighted by keynote speaker Larry Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Montreal Alouettes football team.
Also at this breakfast session, the first Mary FitzGerald Award was presented to Sophie Perreault, executive director of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association. The award, to be given annually, is a partnership between Chiquita Brands International and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. It recognizes an individual who embodies the passion and dedication to the produce industry as displayed by its namesake. Sherrie L. Terry, Chiquita's vice president of sales operation, presented the award to Ms. Perreault.
After a series of concurrent workshops, the delegates luncheon featured another keynote speaker, Lyn Howard, executive producer of the popular Cirque du Soleil show, who spoke on "The sparks: igniting the creative fire that lives within us all."
After Ms. Howard's presentation, The Produce News awarded the 2007 Fresh Health Award to Loblaw Cos. Ltd. in recognition of its work in promoting the 5 to 10 a day message and increasing produce consumption among Canadian consumers.
"Since the launch of the first national promotional program by the then Fresh for Flavour Foundation in 1990, which was called 'Reach for it 5 to 10 a day' and the precursor to the current program, the Loblaw family of companies has played an active role in supporting the generic industry message to promote the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables," Joel Gebet, Canadian editor of The Produce News, said in announcing the winner of the award, which is a joint effort with CPMA.
Larry Kieswetter, senior director of produce procurement at Loblaw Cos., accepted the award for his company.
Also during the convention, CPMA recognized Robert Sawyer, senior vice president of Metro Inc.'s Quebec division, for his longstanding support of the association and the industry, and presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Sawyer served on the association's board of directors for many years, including a year as chairman in 1993.
One of the highlights of the convention, as always, was the trade show, which this year featured the most participation ever with over 230 exhibiting companies and strong participation with registrants from 22 countries, according to numbers provided by CPMA.
"This was a fantastic year for retail and wholesaler participation," Ron Lemaire, CPMA's executive vice president and director of marketing, said in a statement. "In a show where you have almost as many retailers and wholesalers walking the floor as growers, the opportunity to do business is unsurpassed."
This year's show also featured the Best Booth Competition, which debuted in Vancouver in 2006. Winners this year in Montreal were Peak of the Market in the island category and Ponderosa Mushrooms in the inline category.
CPMA debuted a new feature of the trade show this year with the chef's demo area, which allowed participating exhibitors to feature their produce in their own recipes prepared by talented local chefs.
Rick Alcocer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., one of the sponsors of the demo area, said in the statement, "It was a fun, comfortable format to showcase some great recipes and to educate the chefs and audience about our great- tasting vegetables. We look forward to Calgary."
Added Mr. Lemaire, "CPMA is becoming increasingly recognized as the pre- eminent boutique-style produce trade show. The combination of an intimate atmosphere and business and social programs provides an unmatched networking opportunity."
CPMA President Danny Dempster told The Produce News midway through the convention that he thought the convention had been "very well received," adding, "I've heard a lot of people like the shortened format."
As a matter of course, he said that CPMA staff would be examining all facets of the convention to see what worked best. And while some changes might be considered for next year's gathering, he said, "I don't think we'll tinker greatly with it."
After next year's convention and trade show in Calgary, CPMA will move to Toronto in 2009 and Vancouver in 2010.
