TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2012 /CNW/ – This year, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the organization is ‘coming home’ by holding its annual trade show, Grocery Innovations Canada, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on October 1 and 2, 2012.
Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) brings together grocery industry players including independent, franchise and corporate retailers, manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers, distributor and representatives from various government agencies/departments. Attracting more than 5,000 attendees, the event is expected to benefit the local economy with over $6 million in visitor spending.
“Grocery Innovations Canada started out at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and we are thrilled to be coming home,” said John Scott, President & CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers. “The Convention Centre offers so many unique features, from an exhibit floor filled with natural light, to the John Basset Theatre, which allows us to offer great presentations and fantastic awards without leaving the venue – not to mention the convenience of a contiguous hotel and incredibly professional staff.”
The theme of this year’s event is The Future of Grocery Retailing Starts Here. The trade show will offer a number of new features including an ‘Ontario Enclave’ pavilion to promote local businesses and buying local. As the largest grocery event in Canada, GIC is hosting a number of prominent speakers, such as Vicente Trius, President of Loblaw Companies Limited, Perry Caicco, Managing Director, CIBC World Markets and Robert Deluce, President & CEO of Porter Airlines.
“GIC belongs here and we are so happy to welcome this celebration of entrepreneurship home. The fact that the trade show will feature a promotion of local buying is very timely in a year that our facility has moved to sourcing 50 percent of our food locally,” said Barry Smith, President & CEO of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “From the size of the event, to the many unique features of the program and trade show, our facility is the right one to make Grocery Innovations Canada a great success in this very special year.”
The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1962, which continues to be a collaborative community, equipping and enabling independent, franchised and specialty grocers for sustainable success. Representing over 4000 grocery retailers from every part of Canada, CFIG is a strong and united voice for independent grocers, providing programs for operational excellence, facilitating educational and training programs and fostering enabling-relationships among retailers and suppliers. CFIG is a respected organization that speaks confidently for its retail members to industry, government, and the consumer.
