Montreal, November 12, 2009 - The 24th Annual QPMA Oyster Party took place on November 6 at the Le Rizz Reception Hall in St. Leonard. Once again, the event was a resounding success! The 500 guests had the perfect opportunity to mingle with customers, friends and suppliers from the largest produce business network in Quebec: the QPMA.
QPMA president Stéphan Dolbec (Patates Dolbec), along with the board of directors, welcomed guests who were invited to indulge in all-you-can-eat oysters and a mouth-watering buffet. Entertainment in the form of casino table games and fun-filled contests was provided in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Laura Guelmoune of Amira won the oyster-shucking contest after opening five oysters in 14.98 seconds and Steve Zaccardi of Mucci Pac was crowned Black Jack tournament champion.
Earlier in the day, the QPMA held a special meeting during which Claude Boyer of Bourassa Boyer presented members with our financial results. The QPMA took this opportunity to welcome new members attending the Oyster Party: Concord National - Quebec Division, Fourgons Leclair, Fresh Fruit Connections, Jardino Fresh Marketing, Légubec and Pom Wonderful/Paramount Farms.
The Oyster Party provided the QPMA with the perfect opportunity to start selling raffle tickets to benefit the “I love 5 to 10 servings a day” campaign. Tickets are on sale until next year’s convention, which will be held in Montreal from August 19 to August 21, 2010. The QPMA will raffle a $7,000 cruise and two cash prizes ($2,000 and $1,000) during this event.
Ghislain Perron (Metro Richelieu) organized the very first Oyster Party, which took place in an Anjou tavern. There were only 50 or 60 participants at the time. Nowadays, the event is held at the Le Rizz Reception Hall. In its early days, the Oyster Party was targeted specifically at oyster lovers but a change in format (a delicious buffet and open bar are now included) has made it accessible to all. Peter Fogarty (Metro Fogarty) took over planning the event in 1995 and did so for the next ten years. Since 2005, Pat Calabretta (Sobeys Quebec) and Chris Kyriopoulos (Metro Richelieu) have continued to make the Annual Oyster Party a huge success.
About the QPMA
Founded in 1947, the Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA) includes some 500 businesses from virtually all levels of the food distribution chain. The association’s mission is to create a favourable environment for the marketing of fresh produce in Quebec.
The “I love 5 to 10 servings a day” campaign was launched by the QPMA in 2004. Its purpose is to raise consumer awareness about the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle and, as a result, to increase sales of these products for the benefit of its members.
Photos availables upon request.
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Informations
Anne-Émilie Thibault
Communications Director
QPMA
514-355-4330 #24
aethibault@aqdfl.ca
