CPMA celebrates 2023 award winners — and trade show history

The 2023 CPMA Convention and Trade Show stacked up to be the association’s biggest show to date and sets the tone for next year’s event in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 23-25, 2024.

By The Packer Staff

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May 05, 2023 11:33 AM

CPMA trade show floor big view. Photo courtesy CPMA

The 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show held April 26-27 in Toronto was the association’s biggest show in its history. Don’t believe us? Here’s a bird’s eye view of the CPMA event by the numbers, according to a news release:

Over 4,200 people attended the 2023 CPMA show.
The 637 exhibitors from over 300 companies accounted for 63,700 square feet of booth space on the trade show floor.
Exhibitors included 158 international organizations from 11 countries, 159 Canadian exhibitors and 50 first-time exhibitors.
Exhibitors donated 49,473 pounds of their leftover produce to Second Harvest and Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank.
The 2023 New Product Showcase included 69 products from 49 different companies.

“We were thrilled to welcome both Canadian and international produce industry members back to Toronto after six years,” Ron Lemaire, CPMA president, said in the release. “This year’s event was a huge success attracting the highest number of registrants and attendees exceeding all our past shows. This turnout illustrates the important role our show plays providing the industry with exceptional opportunities for education, networking, socializing, innovation and business development, as members showcase produce from across the world.”

CPMA 2024 is planned for April 23-25, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The following individuals and companies earned honors at this year’s CPMA event, according to the release:

CPMA leadership awards

Fresh Health Award — Mucci Farms.
Lifetime Achievement Award — Sam Silvestro.
The Packer’s Produce Person of the Year Award — Mario Masellis, Catania Worldwide.
Young Professional Award – Greg Palmer, Loblaw Cos. Ltd.