The 2017 PPPC National Convention’s show floor opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Joined by PPAI Board Chair Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, (second from left) and President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, (third from left), among others, PPPC Board Chair Alain Gravel (center) cut the ribbon and welcomed attendees to the exhibit floor.

Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC) brought the industry to the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, on February 12-14 for its 2017 PPPC National Convention.

The three-day convention drew more than 2,600 attendees for the professional development and networking opportunities, and to meet with nearly 200 industry companies in 338 booths on the trade-show floor. On the final day of the show, 1,259 end buyers joined their distributors at the trade show. The PPPC also held a silent auction on the show floor benefiting its scholarship program that raised $3,170 and funded two additional scholarships.

Attendees take the opportunity to unwind at the National Convention’s axe-throwing party, sponsored by the PPPC Board of Directors and BIC Graphic.

The national convention’s professional development schedule included a two-day seminar with sales performance coach Dave Holt that ran prior to the show on February 10. The seminar explored in-depth sales and client acquisition best practices, and applied those lessons in an interactive workshop. The convention also hosted a roundtable workshop on February 11 that focused on the supplier/distributor relationship and equal access of non-traditional suppliers to large corporate and public procurement entities. The day concluded with an opening night networking party that challenged attendees in an axe-throwing competition.

Sales performance coach Dave Holt presented a two-day seminar before the show opened to help attendees develop their sales and client acquisition skills.

On the evening of February 12, more than 550 guests attended the 37th annual Image Awards ceremony. The evening saw 93 trophies presented to PPPC member companies. Genumark was presented with the National Distributor of the Year Award, and the Supplier of the Year Gold Award went to Debco Bag Distributors, while Spector & Co. took home the silver and Leed’s was presented with the bronze award. That same evening, Carol de Ville, MAS, president of The Branding Company, was recognized for her contributions to the industry and association, and was inducted into the PPPC Hall of Fame, and Ken Dumond, CAS, of Genumark, was honored with the 2016 PPPC Humanitarian Award. PPPC also presented seven Momentum Awards, recognizing industry professionals who have demonstrated the initiative and skill required to propel the industry forward.