The 70th Annual QPMA Convention ended on a high note in the glamorous atmosphere of the closing banquet sponsored by Metro and Sobeys on Saturday evening. Roland Lafont, as president of the QPMA board of directors for 2016-2017, paid tribute to Marie Gosselin of Mûr Conseil, who was named 2017 Quebec Pillar of Industry. It was an emotional moment for Marie as she collected her honorary plaque, the second woman to achieve this prestigious title. Her official entry into the QPMA Hall of Fame included a moving speech, recounting her impressive professional career.
Later that evening, Robert Lafont made his final speech as QPMA board president, with an account of the highlights during his year at the helm of the association’s board of directors. He then passed on the torch to Francis Bérubé, chief of produce marketing at Sobeys Quebec, whose term as QPMA board president begins on September 1. In his acceptance speech, Bérubé described the vision that will form the cornerstone of his work as president – a vision of innovation and a sense of belonging to, and pride in, the Quebec Produce Marketing Association.
The evening continued in a humorous vein, as guests were treated to a stimulating performance by the popular comedian Stéphane Rousseau, who presented his latest show, “Un peu princesse.”
To bring the convention full circle, in an event sponsored by Fruits Gaétan Bono, conventiongoers were invited to the Presidents’ suite, where new presidential committee members Francis Bérubé, Annie Boivert, Bernard Germain (convention chair for 2018), and Danny Germain awaited them. Between numbers on the dance floor, to the music of DJ Dayze, guests wrapped up conversations they had started earlier during the convention.
For photos of the evening, please click here.
