Montreal, August 26, 2016 – “Building the future” was the theme of the 69th annual Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA) Convention held from August 18 to August 20 at the Centre Sheraton Hotel in bustling downtown Montreal.
The 500 arriving delegates received a warm welcome from QPMA board president Stephan Schmekel (Fresh Del Monte Produce (Canada)) and his wife, Georgia Tsingos, together with convention chair Isabelle Gingras (Sobeys Quebec) and her husband, Éric Messervier. For those in attendance, the 69th annual get-together proved to be a uniquely rewarding event, featuring three days of networking, conferences, meetings, and evenings with special themes.
New faces for a new year ahead
The annual general meeting of the QPMA membership was an occasion for the board of directors* to appoint Dino Farrese (Bellemont Powell) as 2nd vice-president, while Nancy Goudreau (Canneberges Québec) was elected to a seat on the board as the director representing producers, packers, processors, and shippers. At the same time, Sammy Cacciatore (Sun Grape Marketing) joined the ranks of QPMA governors. The AGM was also an opportunity for Stephan Schmekel (Fresh Del Monte Produce (Canada)) to thank the board members for their active involvement over the past twelve months. “Thank you all most sincerely, because each of you – or rather, each of us – shares the responsibility of building a future for the industry, insofar as our skills and talents allow, by facilitating the marketing and boosting the consumption of fruits and vegetables in Quebec,” he told his audience. QPMA CEO Sophie Perreault also looked back with pride over the association’s activities during the past year. “A major first for us was the cocktail reception we organized at the National Assembly. This was a real success, with a record turnout. During the event, we unveiled the Mettez-y du cœur! / Put your heart into it! campaign and offered MNAs a hands-on connection via donations of fruits and vegetables to charitable organizations in their own ridings. Those donations and their associated educational activities have already begun. It’s delivering excellent media visibility and generating outreach opportunities all over Quebec,” she said.
* A complete list of board members appears at the end of this news release.
Guest speakers produce major life lessons
Conventioneers had the opportunity to attend a conference given by Nicolas Duvernois, founder and president of PUR Vodka, the first ultra-premium vodka produced entirely in Quebec, and the top medal winner among all vodkas made in Canada. This born entrepreneur gave a stirring talk about the unusual career that’s made his product a worldwide success. In his own words, “You’ve got a better chance of succeeding if you keep on going than if you stop.” A lesson worth learning! In the next conference, titled “Live long…and Stay Healthy,” Dr. Martin Juneau, cardiologist, clinician, and researcher at the Montreal Heart Institute, brought his audience up to date on the latest trends and issues in the fields of nutrition and fitness, stressing prevention and personal responsibility before medication. His recommendations were clear, practical and scientifically valid…advice worth taking to heart.
Later, at the Industry Brunch, nutritionist and consultant Julie DesGroseilliers announced the latest results of the “I love 5 to 10 servings a day” campaign, on which she’s served as official spokesperson since day one. Julie also highlighted the many different projects submitted by participants and winners of the 11th annual “I Love” contest. Last but not least, the courageous Sébastien Sasseville, who’s climbed Mount Everest, completed six Iron Man challenges, won the mythic Sahara Desert race, and walked across Canada, despite the stresses of Type 1 diabetes, gave a powerful inspiring talk on the remarkable similarities between major life challenges in business and achievements in sport. A story like no other we’ve ever heard!
Adventures and thrills
Friday morning was time for special activities, and this year’s three options had something for everyone. Those who felt like getting active joined the “Chateau du Cirque Adrenalin Challenge,” where they enjoyed a unique experience, including a chance to try out a real circus trapeze and other activities. Foodies had the opportunity to take part in a cooking competition at La Guide Culinaire, working with star chef Jonathan Grenier. Others looking for a chance to relax and dream a little could sail the St. Lawrence aboard the private yacht Navark, including a stunning panoramic tour of the Boucherville islands.
Every evening, guests had a special way to wrap up their day. The convention’s opening night featured privileged access to the new Observatory on the recently redesigned 46th floor of Place Ville Marie. It was a great way to network with friends and colleagues while enjoying the #MTLGO exhibit, along with breathtaking views of the city on the highest open-air terrace in Montreal. On Friday evening, guests were transported to the Oktoberfest, with dinner in an unmistakably festive atmosphere, imbued with old Bavarian traditions: Prost! A performance by GoGoGroove turned on the energy with oldies from the 1980s for folks to party on the dance floor into the wee hours.
The closing banquet on Saturday evening was hosted by Alexandra Diaz as master of ceremonies. On this occasion, Michel Levac (Bellemont Powell) was declared 2016 Pillar of the Quebec Industry for his personal qualities and professional contributions, throughout his career, to the growth of the produce industry. Next, Roland Lafont (Vergers Saint-Paul) proudly accepted the QPMA board presidency for 2016-17. His special theme for the year ahead will be “Feeding the world, an everyday challenge.” In his acceptance speech, Lafont also had an important message for consumers: “Eating right is about much more than simply what you spend. It’s about an investment in every sense of the word. Yes, it’s about what you pay for every item, every week, but it’s also about long-term benefits. Do people want to live better in old age? Then they have to invest starting now, not only in their retirement fund, but in a healthy diet.” The evening’s entertainment was the show Orchestra! featuring the Beatles’ greatest hits…timeless classics played by 16 musicians, including string and brass sections.
Make way for the next generation!
A first at this year’s convention was a Speed Meeting. Industry mentors were able to share their ideas, life experience, and valued advice with the younger generation, and forge ties with an up-and-coming generation that’s full of energy and eager to learn from those with experience. “Words can hardly express how lucky I feel to have the honour and privilege of meeting so many outstanding people with such great experience gathered here in one room at this first annual Speed Meeting event, which was nothing less than a terrific success,” said one of the mentored participants, Jean-François Giroux (Fresh Del Monte Produce (Canada)).
Making a perfect sequel was the fifth annual round of the QPMA “Cultivating the Next Generation” program, with the selection of an intern who will have the opportunity to gain a year’s experience working on activities inside the association. The fourth QPMA intern and first woman to be part of the program, Julie Lefort (Serres Lefort), delivered a vibrant and emotionally stirring personal account of her experience in the QPMA. She then passed the torch to the new recruit selected by the committee, Simon-Pierre Murdock (Morille Québec).
Members in the spotlight
The 11th annual “I Love” Contest had an excellent turnout, with 216 entries. This year’s lucky winners, chosen in a random draw are (by category):
Email Signatures: Tony Bono (Chenail Import-Export)
Websites and Social Media: Chenail Import-Export
Projects with Major Impact (New Project in 2016): Les Vergers Cataphard
Projects with Major Impact (Repeat): Canadawide
Last, but by no means least, for a fifth consecutive year, the QPMA gave members an opportunity to introduce their latest items in our New Products Showcase. A growing number of companies have taken advantage of this unique opportunity – 29 this year. Some of our exhibitors, eager to compete for originality, have created very attractive windows and displays. New this year: visitors to the convention could vote for their favourite product or service. The Sweetheart Award was given jointly to Vergers Paul Jodoin and Patasol, both having received the same number of votes. A completed list of companies and their products is available on request.
THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPANTS AND SPONSORS!
We hope we’ll see you at the 70th edition of the QPMA Convention
August 17 to August 19, 2017 at Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau!
About the QPMA
Founded in 1947, The Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA) is a nonprofit organization that brings together members from every sector of the produce industry, working in close synergy with them and with its various industry partners. The QPMA works to create a favourable environment for the development of fruit and vegetable marketing in Quebec, plays a leadership role in promoting fruits and vegetables, and represents and defends the best interests of its members to government and industry. aqdfl.ca/en
About the “I love 5 to 10 servings a day” campaign
Launched by the Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA) in 2004, the “I love 5 to 10 servings a day” campaign is intended to raise consumer awareness about the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle and, as a result, to increase sales of these products for the benefit of its members. For more information, please visit jaime5a10.ca/en or follow us on Facebook.
For photos of the event please, CLICK HERE.
For a list of sponsors of the event, please CLICK HERE.
Photos of the event are available on request.
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Information:
Sophie Perreault
Chief Executive Officer - QPMA
Tel: 514-355-4330 ext. 222
sperreault@aqdfl.ca
*Board of Directors for 2016-2017
Executive Committee
Roland Lafont, VERGERS SAINT-PAUL – Board President
Francis Bérubé, SOBEYS QUEBEC – 1st Vice-President
Dino Farrese, BELLEMONT POWELL – 2nd Vice-President
Stephan Schmekel, FRESH DEL MONTE PRODUCE (CANADA) – Past President
Sophie Perreault, QPMA – Chief Executive Officer
Board of Directors
Alexandre Monette, COURCHESNE LAROSE
Antonio Bono, CHENAIL IMPORT-EXPORT
Anthony Fantin, VEG PRO INTERNATIONAL
Bernard Côté, J.B. LAVERDURE
Chris Sarantis, CANADAWIDE
Daniel Terrault, HYDROSERRE MIRABEL
Enrico Charest, SOBEYS QUEBEC
Marc-André Chenail, FERMES DU SOLEIL
Nancy Goudreau, CANNEBERGES QUÉBEC
Nick Méti, EMBALLAGES MARCAN
Pascal Guérin, JAG, LES JARDINS A. GUÉRIN ET FILS
Pascal Primiano, METRO
Patrice Alain, METRO
Peter Snyder Jr., S&S FORWARDING
Yan Branco, PROVIGO/LOBLAW
