91st ANNUAL CPMA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW APRIL 12-14, 2016 BMO CENTRE, CALGARY, ALBERTA
2016 POST- SHOW REPORT The 91st Annual CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Calgary was another great success. This year’s theme, Growing Strong was integrated into the business sessions, learning lounges and social activities to ensure a program that responded to current trends and learning needs. The introduction of florals was a wonderful addition on the trade show floor, and will be expanded at the 2017 CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.
Trade Show Roy Hinchey, 2016 Exhibit Chair, welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of delegates, along with Steve Young, 2016 Convention Chair, Mike Furi, 2015/2016 CPMA Chair, and Ron Lemaire, CPMA President.
2016 POST-SHOW REPORT
Arlene Dickinson Arlene provided an inspirational keynote on the secrets of her success, her journey, what she learned from Dragons’ Den, and what it means to be a leader.
Social Events
CPMA kicked off the 91st Annual Chair’s Welcome Reception at the Telus Sparks Science Centre where guests were treated to delicious culinary creations throughout the evening.
The After Party transported partygoers straight back to their college days!
Sam Silvestro and Mike Furi were honored at the Annual Banquet by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi with a traditional “white hat ceremony.” 2016 POST-SHOW REPORT
Passion for Produce “The Passion for Produce program was a great way to learn more about the produce industry and connect with experienced industry leaders. I’ve gone back to my company with new knowledge, a new network of peers, and more industry connections.” Matthew Towe, Peak of the Market
Freggie Children’s Program and Freggie Fun Run
Half Your Plate Hockey Classic CPMA competed against Calgary PMA in the 2nd annual Half Your Plate Hockey Classic with CPMA squeaking in the winning goal in overtime.
2016 POST-SHOW REPORT
CPMA TRADE SHOW IN CALGARY BY THE NUMBERS 431 230 31 54
exhibit spaces on the CPMA Trade Show floor in Calgary this year exhibiting companies new CPMA members exhibiting for the first time in 2016, including 4 floral vendors products from 51 companies participated in the New Product Showcase
Companies from Europe, Central & South America, Mexico, US and Canada were represented on the trade show floor. Buyers from major retail chain stores and foodservice distributors, including those listed below, participated in the Calgary event.
A&W Food Services Calgary Co-op Canada Safeway Colemans Food Centres Costco Wholesale Canada Freson Market Ltd. Grocery People (The) Gordon Food Services IGA Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Longo Bros. Fruit Markets Inc. Metro Richelieu Inc. Overwaitea Food Group Produce People (The) Real Canadian Superstore Save On Foods Sobeys National Procurement Sobeys West/Safeway T& T Supermarkets Walmart Canada Corp.
Attendees included all major stakeholders in the produce supply chain, with one out of three visitors representing the retail / wholesale and foodservice sectors.
2016 POST-SHOW REPORT
Attendees from Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States
ATTENDEES - IN THEIR OWN WORDS
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For Packaging suppliers, this show is an excellent value, especially to see packaging designs in action
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Although I was a Frist time attendee, I found the CPMA event to be one of the best events for networking I have participated in. Tremendous value was had especially with the social events
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David Andrews, Canadian Corrugated and Containerboard Association
2016 Attendee
As a new member of the CPMA, I was absolutely blown away by the annual convention and trade show in Calgary. Not only were my expectations completely met, they were exceeded in every capacity. Every single person that I had met representing the CPMA, treated me like we had known each other for a very long time; the sense of a tight knit family is very evident. Jared Burns, EncoreFX Inc.
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EXHIBITORS - IN THEIR OWN WORDS
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Great exposure into the Canadian retailer market. Our company is well established in the US so this show provided a great opportunity to get in front of a lot of Canadian retailers - they showed a high level of interest in our product.
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Jeff Helseth, Twist-Ease Corporation
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The CPMA is a true reflection of the success of the trade show and the value that is given to each attendee. This is an event that embraces the world and encourages research and progress within our industry. Thank you for a wonderful convention.
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Margie Schurko, ABC Customs
2016 POST-SHOW REPORT
Food bank donations – CPMA Exhibitors Give Back to the Community Every year, CPMA works with local food banks to ensure that any surplus of fresh produce goes to people in need in the local community. At the close of this year’s event, CPMA exhibitors donated 50,855 pounds of fresh produce to the Calgary Food Bank and social services partners, as well as in Red Deer and Alberta, continuing a long tradition of community support in each host city.
Awards As part of the 91st Annual Convention and Trade Show, the following awards were presented at the Awards Brunch.
2016 Mary FitzGerald Award Jennifer Harris, Mid-Isle Farms
2016 CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award Tom Byttynen, Thomas Fresh
2016 Packer’s Produce Person of the Year Award Mike Furi, The Grocery People
2016 Fresh Health Award BCfresh 2016 POST-SHOW REPORT
Trade Show Awards CPMA continued the tradition of recognizing exhibitors for their efforts in creating outstanding displays and providing a high-quality experience to the Trade Show visitor.
2016 Best New Product Award Highline Mushrooms, Mushroom Medleys
2016 Freggie Approved Product Award Mucci Farms, Smuccies
2016 Most Creative Booth Award Peak of the Market
On behalf of CPMA and the 2016 Convention and Trade Show Organizing Committee, we would like to thank all of our sponsors and exhibitors for their support, and look forward to seeing you at the 92nd Annual CPMA Convention and Trade Show in Toronto at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Tuesday, May 9 to Thursday, May 11, 2017.
2016 POST-SHOW REPORT
