05/23/2008
CALGARY, AB -- While final numbers were being calculated in the days following the 83rd annual Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention and trade show, held here May 14-16, the general consensus among attendees left little doubt that the show was an overall success.

Among the event's highlights was the May 15 delegates luncheon, during which the Fresh Health award, co-sponsored by The Produce News and the CPMA, was presented to the Pear Bureau Northwest by Joel Gebet, Canadian editor of The Produce News. The award recognizes an organization for supporting and promoting produce consumption through utilization of the "5 to 10 A Day" logo in its message.

During the award brunch May 16, the CPMA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Terry Lindemann, director of marketing for Calgary-based GFS Canada/Markon Canada, a foodservice distributor. Mr. Lindemann was lauded for his contributions to the produce industry.

According to CPMA Communication Coordinator David Lauer, the smaller TELUS Convention Centre venue accommodated 263 exhibitors from around the globe, and total attendance was approximately 3,000.

"The show is a little smaller than last year," Mr. Lauer noted. "The primary reason is that the convention hall is smaller. But we're receiving very good feedback on our six business sessions. The Going Green session was held to an overflow crowd, and there was excellent interest in our retail tour."

Kicking off May 14 with a chairman's welcoming reception hosted by outgoing Chairman Larry McIntosh of Winnipeg-based Peak of the Market, the convention also included a delegates breakfast May 15 that featured motivational speaker Les Brown. Business sessions that followed examined proactive measures to deal with pandemic influenza, going green environmental stewardship and a CPMA 101 session on how the association can better serve its members.

Following the Fresh Health Award presentation May 15 was the official opening of the trade show. A variety night of gaming and music entertained conventioneers that night.

Business sessions May 16 focused on how commerce and business in Canada are different from other countries, what's new in technology and a symposium on foodservice.

The morning's retail tour took in four major stores in the greater Calgary area, and day two of the trade show saw lively participation. The event ended with the traditional banquet reception and gala.

Ron Lemaire, executive vice president and director of marketing for the association, summed up the Calgary convention by saying, "The show was very successful, and we've received some wonderful comments. We've concluded that even with the smaller footprint of the show, it seems to have met our needs. But we'll be in a larger venue in 2012 that will be able to accommodate over 400 booths. There is a high interest in having the show in Calgary because it is such a popular destination, and we've worked to find another facility, which will be the Roundup Centre."

Mr. Lemaire added, "We continue to see such a high volume of attendance because of our social activities. Getting together in a social atmosphere and talking about the industry is as vital as a contractual agreement on how to move product."

The convention will move to Toronto in 2009, where it will be staged at the Metro Toronto Convention Center downtown.