Reunited: exhibitors ready to reconnect at CPMA
The wait is nearly over. This year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual Convention and Trade Show, set for April 5-7 at the Palais des Congres in Montreal, Quebec, will be held in-person once again.
With the theme, “The Industry Reunited,” the 96th annual event has exhibitors and attendees looking forward to meeting face to face, including CPMA President Ron Lemaire.
“The biggest thing that I’ve recognized over the years that I’ve come is the community and the relationships that are built,” Lemaire recently told The Packer’s Melissa Treolo. “It is truly an event that brings together opportunities to build your business, but it also brings back existing relationships and reconfirms and solidifies the business that exists.”
CPMA expects this year’s convention will draw 3,500-4,000 attendees and feature more than 270 exhibitors.
Among the exhibitors, Mucci Farms’ Dan Branson, senior director of business and product development, is excited to welcome visitors to booth No. 1615.
“The Canadian produce industry is a big industry and a small community,” Branson told The Packer. “I’m looking forward to being face to face with suppliers and customers who I see as our partners in produce. The CPMA brings us together to facilitate new opportunities and build relationships, which is how our industry truly excels and comes to life. I’m excited for that familiar feeling again.”
Steve Roosdahl, vice president of operations for OPPY, is equally enthusiastic for the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and forge new relationships at booth Nos. 1209/1309.
“It will be exciting to reunite with our friends in the industry and connect with the many new members that have joined virtually the past couple years and those that are new for the first time this coming year,” Roosdahl said. “Our industry is built from relationships and CPMA’s annual convention has been an excellent opportunity for members from all areas of the industry to connect and develop new business opportunities.
“The past couple virtual events have been educational and allowed for some connectivity, but nothing compares to meeting everyone in person,” he added.
Longtime CPMA attendee Rick Alcocer, senior vice president of fresh sales for Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., is looking forward to the abundance of business and social opportunities at this year’s event, as well as meetings at the Duda booth No. 1610.
“Having attended at least 25 prior CPMA conventions, I really missed its absence during the COVID pandemic,” he said. “The pandemic caused many changes throughout the supply chain in Canada that [have] affected retailers, foodservice distributors and wholesalers in many ways.
“The CPMA convention in Montreal will be the perfect place to hear firsthand from these Canadian customers and learn about their current needs and how they feel about any future challenges to their success,” he continued.
A former CPMA chair during the 2017-2018 year, Alcocer is “so excited to be heading back to a CPMA convention.” After two years with no in-person exchanges, he is anxious to hear the latest from his business partners’ marketplaces and lives.
“The CPMA provided many business opportunities, but I really look forward to the social gatherings during meal events and particularly in the evenings,” he added. “It’s a great time to build personal relationships to strengthen the business relationship.”
And expressing a sentiment to which everyone can relate, Davis Yung, president and CEO of Fresh Direct, exhibiting at booth No. 915, told The Packer: “I’m most looking forward to seeing everyone again in person after two years of Zooming.”
