Across Canada Report: Time for Show and Tell

Strategies for the future are on the minds of the staff at the Automotive Industries Association of Canada.

The association has been meeting recently with a number of suppliers in Toronto to talk about the results of the 2002 Canadian International Automotive Show, held in Toronto this past May, and to look ahead at the 2004 show to be held in Montreal.

AIA vice-president Marc Brazeau says the association is getting valuable feedback from members and that meetings are being organized for both suppliers and warehouse distributors to get their thoughts on what the AIA should do in the future regarding trade shows.

“The intent is to come up with a strategy or game plan that will appeal to people’s intentions and their overall expectations. The show is changing, the purpose and the objectives are changing. As an association we have to find out what our members expect from us with regard to trade shows in the future. So the whole notion of trade shows is being reviewed with input from the suppliers and the WD communities.”

Brazeau notes that attendance was down at the 2002 show but there were many other positives. He says support from the WDs was good and visitors rated the show from “good” to “very good.”

“But from an exhibitor perspective,” says Brazeau, “obviously AIA is going to have to consult with the manufacturers and WDs to determine what will be in store for 2004.” An official announcement is expected to be made at the end of September as to the status of the 2004 Show.

NOTES FROM AROUND

Peter Gilchrist, the AIA field rep for the Interior B.C. Division, says that the grand opening of the Lordco Store in Grand Forks was held recently and according to Darcy Skerritt, the manager, it was very successful with 400 customers attending. Also Lordco’s new 8000-sq.-ft. store in Trail, B.C. is now under construction and due to open this fall.

NAPA’s corporate store in Nelson, B.C., has a new manager, Gordon Burns, a native of Nelson.

Doug Dawson, AIA Northern Alberta rep, reports that Bestbuy member Dash Distributors in Edmonton has opened a new branch in South Edmonton at 4604-99 St. Marc Morin is manager.

Dave Desmarais, chairman of the Southern Alberta Division, reports that the division hosted the Alberta AIA Golf Tournament June 20 at the Lacombe Golf Club. About 110 golfers enjoyed a great day on the links. On June 19, both the South and North divisions hosted a welcome reception in Red Deer with guests of honor Doug Cumming and John Baragar. Both men were presented awards on behalf of the Alberta AIA.

Charlie Taylor, chairman of the Atlantic Division, says that the division made $500 donations each to the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax and the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s, Nfld. The division is looking forward to its 35th annual Golf Tourney and Chairman’s Visit on September 5 and 6, at a new venue this year: the Royal Oaks Estates and Golf Club, designed by renowned architect Rees Jones.

Ozzie Babineau, the Atlantic Division field rep, reports that the AIA Convention Committee has met in Moncton to start the final plans and programs for the annual AIA convention in May 2003 at Charlottetown, P.E.I. Many ideas were discussed and research into some of these is underway. The next meeting will be in September during the chairman’s visit and golf event.

The Quebec Division golf tournament, organized by Denis Brault and his team, was a tremendous success with 144 golfers and a sum of $8,118 raised for the Marion Roberts Scholarship fund. The amount is a record for the event.

Note: If you have any information to contribute to this column please call Bob Blans at (905) 844-8616, Fax (905) 844-8731, E-Mail to rblans@sympatico.ca or write to Across Canada Report c/o Jobber News Magazine, 1450 Don Mills Rd., Don Mills, ON M3B 2X7. In addition to AIA Division activities we are interested in hearing from you about the opening of a new business, change of ownership, expansions etc.