This week, the annual convention of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is being held in Toronto. Due to covid, it’s the first time in six years the city is hosting the event that rotates between Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Last year in Montreal attendees were still forced to wear masks. Since there were no limitations this year, the ambiance was more relaxed.
CPMA is officially being opened.
After a morning keynote breakfast, the trade show started at 1:30 pm. It was very busy right away, which can likely be attributed to the short time people had on the floor as the trade show closed at 5:30 pm. Exhibitors and buyers were very focused on meeting each other and used their time efficiently. Produce companies as well as buyers were represented by senior decision makers. "Traffic has been great," says George Pitsikoulis with Canadawide. In addition to visitors from Canada and the US, Pitsikoulis said there was more international traffic this year. "I saw visitors from Mexico, Spain, Turkey, Greece, the Netherlands, Guatemala, and Honduras."
Snack size products
Snack size products were in abundance. Small products in small bags or containers were visible everywhere on the show floor. In addition, there were more sustainable packaging options than ever before, and paper packaging increasingly includes colorful branding.
Today, the trade show starts at 11:30 am and closes at 4:30 pm. The event will close tonight.