GIC 2018 at a glance
Why is it worthwhile for grocers
to attend GIC?
Grocery Innovations Canada is the nation’s largest trade show and conference dedicated to the growing multi-billion dollar Canadian grocery industry. GIC attracts thousands of retailers and suppliers from across the world under one roof and serves as the industry meeting place connecting all facets of the grocery world. This is your one-stop grocery exhibition that satisfies all your needs including creating key business relationships, showcasing your greatest products and services, networking with insiders, spotting the latest trends, pushing innovation and growing your business. This is the show for all your grocery needs from front end to back end. Check out the exhibitors.
What new features can attendees expect at this year’s event?
New this year is the Merchandising Excellence Awards night. With a trade show ticket, anyone can attend this after-hours mix and mingle event celebrating the best in merchandising. Awards will be handed out in the Top 10 in Grocery contest, Best Booth and the Master Merchandiser Awards. The latter celebrates the top merchandising displays (over 5,000 entries were submitted this year) created by suppliers and retailers across Canada. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet with colleagues and make new connections.
There are also show specials at GIC this year. Ninety percent of the attendees at Grocery Innovations Canada have buying power. The ‘Show Specials’ are exclusive to the retailers at Grocery Innovations Canada! Show specials can take various forms such as discounted rates, free shipping and many more! Attendees only need to look out for the Star Balloons at participating exhibitor booths. Here’s a list of companies offering Show Specials.
Anything else we should know about GIC 2018?
There are new pavilions to check out at GIC such as the Pan-Asian Pavilion, featuring products from across Asia. There’s also the Small Business Exchange sponsored by Canadian Grocer. In this area you’ll find innovative services and goods from small and medium companies that are not available in grocery yet. Check out the exhibitors.
Retailer Connect is also a unique opportunity for exhibitors to meet one-on-one with select retailers from coast-to- coast. The program is designed to set up B2B speed meetings for vendors to present their offerings to retailers in efficient 15-minute blocks to introduce, sample and help set up a follow-up meeting.
The Wednesday night, the conference ends with the gala dinner celebrating the best grocers coast-to-coast at the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year awards. It truly is a celebration of the best retailers in this country, from specialty to large format stores, and industry trailblazers. Get your tickets.
What can attendees expect from the conference sessions and workshops?
There’s a host of sessions for all interests - starting with the keynote on Tuesday By Google Canada’s Natalie Green who will look at winning the customer journey in an omni-channel world. All attendees with a trade show ticket can attend the Tuesday morning sessions. Register here.
On Wednesday, it’s a full day of leadership sessions and workshops starting with Kantar Consulting’s Dave Marcotte who look at how to take omni-channel to make it profitable and competitive. Marketing expert Ken Wong will then discuss the “new price buyer.” Concurrent workshops will focus on the following: the Amazon opportunity, cannabis, CFIA labelling updates and Marketing to Shoppers.
On the trade show stage, there are education sessions centered around key issues facing the business on both days at various times from 11:30am to 4:00pm. From cannabis, meal kits and energy, to cheese knowledge and artificial intelligence, retailers will get strategic takeaways from these sessions. See schedule.
WANT TO EXHIBIT?
Contact: [email protected]
REGISTER NOW!
QUESTIONS? [email protected]