Community | PPPC Communiqué PPPC Kicks Off NATCON 2023 The Canadian promotional product industry celebrates and connects at its biggest event of the year. By Margaret Williamson Batuszkin THE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT PROFESSIONALS OF CANADA is welcoming over 1,000 distributors from over 450 companies from across Canada to its 65th annual National Convention – aka NATCON 2023 – from September 11-13 at the International Centre in Toronto. The show features more than 180 of Canada’s top suppliers exhibiting the latest promotional wares during the two-day trade show. Day two of the show is Client Day, where distributors can bring their top clients to meet suppliers and get up close and personal with the latest promotional products to inspire them for their upcoming events and campaigns. NATCON provides suppliers the opportunity to exhibit their promotional wares to a large group of distributors and their clients in one central place, in a short time frame. It also gives them the chance to connect with existing clients and network with new ones to increase their visibility and grow their professional networks and businesses. For distributors, it is a time-saver to be able to meet with so many of their key suppliers and meet new ones over the two-day show, while enabling their clients to be among the first in Canada to preview the newest promotional trends and products. New to NATCON this year is the launch of the inaugural show floor series that offers 10 sponsored, 40-minute peer-to-peer sessions where suppliers can offer unique perspectives and best practices, as well as a Q&A period so distributors and their clients can ask their top questions. The show floor series, offering a theatre-style setup, is one of the many sponsorship opportunities offered to suppliers for this year’s NATCON to help increase visibility and showcase each supplier’s unique value proposition. On the first evening of NATCON, the PPPC is hosting its Women Empowerment Event dubbed “Promo in the City” for the industry’s top female promotional product professionals to toast another successful year, network and share learnings and experiences. Inspired by the iconic Sex in the City TV series, the event is aimed at celebrating and empowering female professionals. During the second day of NATCON, attendees and exhibitors can attend the industry’s most anticipated social event – the 2023 PPPC Awards Ceremony and Networking AfterParty celebrating the industry’s excellence and giving members a chance to wind down after a busy trade show as they network with fellow members and connect with new ones. Over 40 awards will be handed out throughout the evening. For more information on NATCON 2023, visit www.pppc.ca. Williamson Batuszkin is a communications professional with PPPC. 86 • SEPTEMBER 2023 • PPAI
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