CALGARY, ALBERTA - Attendees of this year’s CPMA Annual Convention and Trade Show will be treated with a varied showcase including two keynote speakers, business sessions, and learning lounges dedicated to addressing current issues in the produce industry. 

Head keynote speaker, Arlene Dickinson, will speak Wednesday morning and will share the secrets of her success as one of Canada’s most renowned independent marketing communications entrepreneurs. Hear how Arlene has built her career through a creative and innovative approach to business, and what she’s learned from the Lion’s Den at this year's show.

Jean Rickli has been selected to lead the lunch keynote speech, with insights from J.C. Williams Group and the latest global retail concepts and innovation trends. Rickli’s session will showcase the best innovation cases from 26 countries worldwide, and will expand on the 3 hottest trends of this year; passion for food, low inventory, and secondhand/no waste.

The first business session, Social License and Sustainability: What you need to know, tackles social license and agriculture as a growing issue for consumers, and information presented in the documentary, License to Farm. Join presenters Janice Tranberg and Shelley Jones to learn more from speakers both inside and out of the produce industry on how to confront these issues along the value chain, according to a press release.

Creating Choices, presented by Brent VanParys and Hali VanVliet, will introduce CPMA attendees to The BDO SuccessCare Program™. A collaborative process, this program helps business owners manage change or transition within their companies so they are always ready for sale, with more choices available.

Stay right on the Trade Show floor in the Learning Lounges, and jump through 30 minute sessions on key issues in the industry. Sessions planned for this year’s convention are: 

• Innovation: Produce, the Next Generation - Presented by Oleen Smethurst, Costco Canada and Davis Yung, Fresh Direct Produce
• Food Safety: Challenges across the Supply Chain - Presented by Joe Darden, Mastronardi, Dan Martin, Sysco, and Mimmo Franzone, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets
• The Changing Role of Dietitians in Retail – Presented by Kristyn Hall, RD, Nutrition and Culinary Solutions and Heidi Piovoso, Retail Dietitian
• A Frank Discussion with Two Mikes: A Conversation about Issues Impacting Industry – Presented by Frank Pagliaro, Loblaw Companies, Mike Furi, The Grocery People, and Mike Ecker, Vineland Growers.

The CPMA’s 91^st Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held in Calgary from April 12-14, 2016.

CPMA