IDImart Attracts 81 Exhibitors

Toronto, ON — IDImart 2009, organized by the Mississauga, ON-based IDI Independent Distributors Inc. as part of its annual general meeting, took place January 22-23. The event drew more than 300 participants to the Delta Chelsea hotel in downtown Toronto.

IDI had rooms set up at the hotel for members and suppliers to meet and network to help each other in these challenging economic times. On Jan. 22, IDI hosted a dinner for its members at the 360 Degree restaurant at the CN Tower. The next afternoon, a tabletop show was held in two different ballrooms at the hotel, with 81 exhibitors in attendance, noted IDI president Scott Bebenek.

To close the event, another dinner meeting was followed by the “Hall of Builders” award, which was presented to Bill Cruden of C. B. S. Equipment, London, ON, for his long history of participation with IDI. C. B. S. is a charter member of IDI, and Cruden has had in many roles in IDI, including serving as chairman of the board in 1988.

Next, hockey great Wendel Clark, 42 (often called ‘Captain Crunch’ for his aggressive body checking style), spoke about his career and answered questions, entertaining the group for almost a full hour. The Toronto Maple Leafs honoured the former team captain by raising his legendary number 17 to the rafters on Nov. 22, 2008, at the Air Canada Centre.

The dinner meeting came to a close with IDI’s John Morisson drawing tickets for door prizes, among them a few flat screens TVs.

Hospitality followed in the Monarch’s Pub at the hotel, which made a great ending to another successful IDI meeting.

IDI’s next event will be its Supplier Summit and Annual Meeting, taking place in Charlottetown, PEI, June 9-13, 2009. For details, visit www.idiind.com.