The Canadian promo industry reunited once again in Toronto to discuss upcoming projects, network and celebrate professional achievements.

Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC) hosted the annual National Convention (NATCON) on Sept. 14 and 15 at the International Centre in Mississauga, ON, the first in-person event of its kind since COVID after two virtual iterations.

NATCON 2022 went LIVE yesterday. We started the day with our Opening Panel Discussion entitled, Focusing on the Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet & Profits! Ending it with the Awards ceremony and after party! pic.twitter.com/fcVFTsqYC6

— PPPC (@PPPCInc) September 15, 2022

PPPC welcomed 100 suppliers and multi-line agencies as exhibitors along with more than 700 distributors and 500 end-buyer clients. The event included two days of networking on the show floor, with “client day” on Sept. 15, as well as an expert panel on sustainability and the annual PPPC Awards and afterparty.

“It was a truly national show, with attendees from British Columbia to Newfoundland,” said Sergio Munoz, vice president of business development for Debco, part of Top 40 supplier HPG (asi/61966). “It was smaller than in years past, but overall, it was a good show and definitely a step in the right direction. Our booth traffic consisted of a steady stream of excited clients armed with real projects and opportunities.”

An opening panel discussion, held on the first morning of the show, provided expert insights on “Focusing on the Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet and Profits” and featured panelists Jamie McCabe, president of McCabe Promotional Advertising (asi/264901); Tara Milburn, founder and CEO of Ethical Swag; Denise Taschereau, CEO and co-founder of Fairware Promotional Products (asi/191452); and Heidi Reimer-Epp, CEO of BotanicalPaperWorks (asi/41273).

PPPC President and CEO Jonathan Strauss introduces the sustainability panelists. From left: Jamie McCabe, Denise Taschereau, Heidi Reimer-Epp and Tara Milburn. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Merrifield)

“The opening panel discussion was one of the most insightful sessions I’ve ever attended at any industry event,” said Danny Braunstein, director of client success for Top 40 distributor BAMKO (asi/131431) in Canada. “It couldn’t have been more timely.”

The annual PPPC Awards event was held Wednesday night, Sept. 14, at the Eglinton West Gallery in North York, ON; acting as emcees were Jennifer LeBricon, vice president of sales enablement for Spector & Co. (asi/88660; Canada, 88631) and chair-elect of PPPC’s national board of directors; and Paul Wieleba, owner of multi-line firm {WE} Promotional Advertising and vice chair at large for the national board.

Among the award winners were Top 40 distributor Genumark (asi/204588), named National Distributor of the Year; Leed’s (asi/66887), Large Supplier of the Year; Josie Di Staola at Spector & Co., CSR of the Year; and Rosalind Fraser Plummer of Clearmount (asi/45440), who was inducted into the PPPC Hall of Fame posthumously.

“The response from everyone at the awards ceremony was moving,” noted Kate Plummer, vice president of sales and marketing at Clearmount and Rosalind’s daughter, who accepted the award on her mother’s behalf. “It’s so amazing to see my mom’s impact years after her passing.”

Jennifer LeBricon and Paul Wieleba, PPPC board members, hosted the awards ceremony in North York. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Merrifield)

Braunstein noted the “revamped” format for the awards, which he called “a breath of fresh air.” “Moving the event to a more contemporary venue gave the awards a brand-new feel,” he added. “The hosts were engaging and hilarious, and the afterparty was pure joy as winners celebrated and the industry enjoyed finally being back together as we danced the night away.”

Back on the show floor, exhibitors say booth traffic was steady and conversations with attendees were constructive. “We were slammed both days, and it felt great,” said Neil Mihan, owner of Promotional Resource Group (PRG), named Best Multi-Line Agency in the Central Region during the PPPC Awards. “Distributors and end-clients came out in solid numbers.”

PRG’s “Come fly with us” theme featured staff in pilot outfits and branded “passports” with room for stamps from the different exhibitors that PRG represents. “Our suppliers definitely benefited from increased booth participation,” said Mihan.

PRG staff, including Neil Mihan (left) and Bernie Barrette, dressed as pilots for their booth’s “Come fly with us” theme. (Photo courtesy of Neil Mihan)

Lianne Macrae, national sales director at ATTRACTION (asi/37442), said she’s “still on a high” from her show experience. “It was a huge success,” she shared. “Our booth was so busy on Wednesday that I didn’t even eat lunch. The end-users who attended on Thursday were legitimately interested in the booths. It was so great to be back seeing industry colleagues.”

In a welcome development, Ann Baiden, CEO and founder of Innovatex Solutions Inc. (asi/231194), noted that many apparel suppliers have doubled down on increasing stock in basic styles. She also noticed more eco products and expanded packaging options from Canadian suppliers. “Everyone seemed eager to see each other and the vibe was very positive,” she said.

Exhibitors and attendees speak at the Cutter & Buck (asi/47965; Canada, 47967) booth on the show floor. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Merrifield)

Among the notable products on the floor, according to Laura Hansen, president of Image Group (asi/230059), were notebooks with a shiny finish from Spector & Co.; handmade soap with seed paper wraps from BotanicalPaperWorks; custom-shaped mints from Promotunity (asi/79919); fully sublimated items from Martini-Vispak (asi/93987); eco-friendly stickers from Premiums Plus (asi/79392); Scratch & Win educational cards from ArtechPro (asi/87400); and name badges from Permark (asi/77690). Hansen was also happy to see sustainable, locally made and NAFTA-friendly products on offer.

Handmade grapefruit, lemon and rosemary soap (GLR5013) with seeded paper wrap from BotanicalPaperWorks (asi/41273) was a highlight of the eco-conscious category.

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“The turnout was really good for our first one in a couple of years,” Hansen explained. “People came from across the country and the vibe was super upbeat. Suppliers and distributors were so happy to reconnect in person. They shared lots of COVID survival stories and positive energy and excitement for the future of our industry. Suppliers really put a lot of effort into their displays, catalogues, lookbooks, flyer specials and sample packs.”

Aaron Moscoe, CEO of TPS Promotions & Incentives (asi/341409), spoke with more than 60 of his company’s end-buyer clients at the event. “There’s simply no substitute for the value that comes from in-person interactions,” he said. “It’s the exceptional level of trust and partnership mindset that makes the promotional products industry in Canada a great place to be. It’s also nice to catch up with friendly competitors. We’re all peers.”