At its 62nd annual show since the inception of the association, PPPC held its national event at the International Centre last week from February 9-13 with two days of robust education sessions, a three-day trade show and the invaluable networking opportunities it’s become known for.

“While there were some notable suppliers missing from this year’s event, what the PPPC Show lacks in sheer number of vendors, it makes up for with the tremendous networking opportunity,” said Scott Hulbert, managing director of the Toronto-based distributor company Ideavation. “As a smaller distributor, the show gives us a chance to spend time suppliers who aren’t based in the Greater Toronto Area and with suppliers who may not regularly call on us.”

Jonathan Strauss, the interim head of the association, was impressed with the event overall. “My first National Convention as the president & CEO of the PPPC was better than I could ever have expected,” Strauss said. “We had great participation from both the distributor and supplier side of the industry, and our end-user day to end the show was also very well attended. Throughout the convention, I was pleased to be able to interact with many of our members and to learn what they want and need from their Canadian industry association.”

In addition to the opening night’s networking mixer featuring Alex Morin of Debco’s band, The Misprints – with fierce guest vocals courtesy of PCNA’s Jen Carver – and a host of distributor and supplier soirees, the highlight of the five-day event was, as always, PPPC’s Image Awards. Counselor Top 40 company Genumark took the National Distributor of the Year and Debco received the Gold Supplier of the Year award for a fourth consecutive time. St. Regis Crystal’s Rose Weinstein was named the Supplier Customer Service Rep of the Year and Debco’s Cindy Puritt was named the Supplier Sales Rep of the Year.

But the most poignant moment, without question, was when Carol DeVille, owner of The Branding Co. and last year’s Hall of Fame inductee, introduced this year’s honoree, Clearmount’s David Plummer:

“Just a little over 29 years ago, in 1989, David and his wife Rosalind purchased their company with a dream to design innovative award solutions for the promotional marketplace,” DeVille said in her speech announcing Plummer. “As a graduate from Queen’s University with his Professional Engineering degree and a firm background in marketing, David and his wife leaped into the idea of purchasing Clearmount – as he said, because what interested him most about the company is the diversity of items that could be manufactured.

Over the next 29 years, both David and his wife dedicated themselves to improving and moving the industry forward. A father of three beautiful girls – Gillian, Nicola and Kate, who joined the family business over nine years ago – the Plummer family moved the pendulum on creativity, dedication and devotion to moving this industry forward.

David was involved with our National Board for over eight years and was the Chairman of Canada in 2000, which was not an easy task, as the Association was faced with some tremendously financial challenges. But that didn’t stop David from being an incredible leader, rolling up his sleeves and dedicating himself with his board to find solutions and fix the problem.

David has always been a strong voice for the growth and direction of PPPC, and is always in attendance to support the AGM, industry chapter events along with National events.”

Said Steve Levschuk, president of Talbot Marketing and a recent PPPC Hall of Fame inductee: “David is a sounding board for many other suppliers and distributors, and many people turn to him to get his opinion on changes and evolutions in this industry – even if it’s just an opinion on a new printer. Under David’s leadership, Clearmount has had steady growth and product expansion, and he cares about this industry and Association.”

Evan Krofchick, president of Artmetal and one of the people who nominated Plummer for the Hall of Fame, pointed to Plummer’s encyclopedic knowledge and wisdom on matters of governance and the promotional product industry. “He, along with his late wife Ros, have been my industry mentors,” Krofchick said. “They – along with their daughter Kate – gave me guidance and friendship, and David is a true ambassador of the promo industry. This well-meaning, kind-hearted and friendly man makes the industry better for not only his customers but his peers as well. The PPPC and the whole industry are lucky to have had his contributions over the years.”

Click here to see a complete list of PPPC’s Image Award winner.

Click here to see a complete slideshow of photos, courtesy of PPPC.

Photos

Marcus Sweeney of alphabroder/Prime and Greg Livings of Bravo Awards/Castelli Canada were the hosts with the most at awesome Light party their companies threw for the PPPC crowd, complete with live music, a buffet and open bar.

Scott Cruickshank and Alex Webb of McCabe Promo show off their well-deserved Image awards at PPPC’s gala.

David Plummer of Clearmount, shown here with his daughter Kate, was inducted into PPPC’s Hall of Fame.