We are extremely happy to report that the 2013 event attracted a record-breaking 3933 participants. The event combined business and networking opportunities, interesting keynote speakers and business sessions, numerous awards presentations, great food, fabulous entertainment and good times – not to mention the largest Trade Show and New Product Showcase to date, featuring 277 exhibiting companies and 57 new products.
CPMA’s commitment to bringing new ideas to the table continued with programs such as: The Retail Produce Manager Session that allowed over 200 Toronto-based produce managers to learn more about the industry and visit the Trade Show; The Freggie Children’s Program that saw 43 elementary school students visit with exhibitors and hear from Katie Stagliano, Founder of Katie’s Krops; and Career Pathways, a joint partnership with PMA Foundation to encourage university students to consider the produce industry as a career choice.
Thank you to everyone involved in the organization of the Annual Convention & Trade Show, to the organizing committee, the volunteers, our sponsors and exhibitors, and to those of you of participated and attended the various events that were developed for you. You made it the unique and special event that it was.
We are also extremely pleased to report that after the trade show closed its doors on Friday afternoon, over 51,000 lbs. of produce was donated by CPMA exhibitors to the Daily Bread Food Bank, the largest food bank in Canada, supporting over 65,000 client visits a month. “On behalf of Daily Bread and the hundreds of community agencies that have benefited this week from the donations from your trade show, thank you. I can’t begin to express how happy it made me to be able to stand in our warehouse and see skid after skid of fresh fruits and vegetables come off our trailers. This donation of healthy and nutritious food will help a lot of people who are struggling right now”
- Gail Nyberg, Executive Director, Daily Bread Food Bank | Our next event will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia from April 2-4, 2014. We already look forward to seeing you there but in the meantime, we invite you to have a look at the highlights from Toronto’s Fresh Success. |