3rd Voyage – September 2023
Mission institutionnelle et commerciale au Canada
Projet EAT & THINK PINK CANADA
Vancouver et Montréal – 17-23 septembre 2023
Introduction
We are excited to announce our third trip of the year dedicated to the EAT & THINK PINK CANADA project. From September 17 to September 23, our delegation—led by OPAS Project Manager, Mr. Antonio Rodà, and OPAS/Francesco Franchi srl Export Manager, Ms. Francesca Noaro—will visit Vancouver and Montréal to strengthen business relationships and explore opportunities in the Canadian market. Below is a day-by-day overview of our trip’s key meetings, events, and activities.
Sunday, September 17: Arrival in Vancouver
- 8:25 p.m.
Arrival at Vancouver International Airport (Flight AC311). - Transfer
Taxi/Uber to Paradox Hotel for check-in. - Dinner & Overnight
Free evening; overnight stay at the Paradox Hotel.
Monday, September 18: Meetings in Vancouver
10:00 a.m. – Vancouver Economic Commission
- Meeting with Mr. Bryan Buggey, Executive Vice President.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West
- Mr. Celso Boscariol (President), Ms. Ilaria Baldan (Secretary General), Mr. Alex Martyniak (Commercial Director)
- Location: 1209-419 Granville Street, Vancouver BC
2:30 p.m. – Cioffi’s Group/Meat Market & Deli
- Mr. Rino Cioffi, President
- Cioffi’s Group
- Address: 4156 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC
4:00 p.m. – Columbus Meat Market
- Mr. Giancarlo and Mr. Vito Masi
- Columbus Meat Market
- Address: 1310 Nanaimo St, Vancouver, BC
- Evening & Overnight
Free evening; overnight stay at the Paradox Hotel.
Tuesday, September 19: Business Visits in Greater Vancouver
10:00 a.m. – BC Food & Beverage
- Mr. James Donaldson, President & CEO
- bcfb.ca (to be confirmed)
- Address: 9440 202 St. #310, Langley
11:00 a.m. – Direct Plus Food Group
- directplus.ca – distributor of Grimms Fine Foods (grimmsfinefoods.com)
- Address: 8621 201 St Unit 120, Langley
12:30 p.m. – Lunch Break
2:30 p.m. – Vancouver Community College – Culinary School
- Mr. Dennis Innes, Dean, School of Hospitality, Food Studies & Business
- vcc.ca/programscourses/baking-and-culinary/
- Address: 250 W Pender St, Vancouver
4:00 p.m. – Meeting TBC
- Evening & Overnight
Free evening; overnight stay at the Paradox Hotel.
Wednesday, September 20: Store Tours & Transfer to Montréal
Free tours of local Vancouver outlets (morning):
- Bosa Foods
bosafoods.com
1465 Kootenay St., Vancouver BC - Renzullo Food Market
renzullofoodmarket.com
1370 Nanaimo St, Vancouver, BC V5L 4T6 - The Cheese Cave (La Grotta del Formaggio)
Facebook Link
1791 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC - Urban Fare (Premium Supermarket Chain)
urbanfare.com
177 Davie Street, Vancouver
Afternoon:
- 1:25 p.m. – Flight AC308 to Montréal (arrival 9:10 p.m. local time).
- Free Dinner & Overnight
Transfer to Hotel Le Mount Stephen in Montréal; free evening.
Thursday, September 21: Meetings in Montréal
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Meeting with Investissement Québec
- Ms. Anna-Lena Gruenagel (Foreign Direct Investment Director), Mr. Tim Khametov (Senior Project Director FDI, Agri-Food)
- Address: Investissement Québec, 1001 boul. Robert-Bourassa, bureau 1000, Montréal
- Delegates: Mr. Rodà & Ms. Noaro
10:30 – 12:00 p.m. – Coordination Meeting at CCIC
- Ms. Danielle Virone, Director General & Ms. Inga Lavallee, Project Manager
- Address: CCIC, 550 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Office 1150
- Delegates: Mr. Rodà & Ms. Noaro
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Meeting with Chef Pasquale Vari at ITHQ Hotel & Catering School
- Address: ITHQ, 3535 Saint Denis St, Montreal, Quebec
- Delegate: Mr. Rodà
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Meeting with Importer Tony Le Donne, Importations Papilles
- Address: 2866 Bd Daniel-Johnson, Laval, QC
- Delegate: Ms. Noaro
3:30 p.m. – Meeting with Berchicci Importing
- Store manager Mr. John Occhiuto
- Address: 6205 Bd Couture, Saint-Léonard, QC
- Delegate: Ms. Noaro
4:30 p.m. – Meeting with Consul General Dr. Enrico Pavone
- Address: Consulate General of Italy, 3489 Drummond St, Montreal, Quebec
- Delegate: Mr. Rodà
- Evening & Overnight
Free dinner; overnight stay at the Hotel Le Mount Stephen.
Friday, September 22: Further Montréal Meetings
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. – Ministry MAPAQ (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food)
- Mr. Moez Sellami, Expert Advisor on Meat Processing
- Zoom call from CCIC, 550 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Office 1150
- Delegate: Mr. Rodà
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Meeting with Importer Patricia Occhiuto, Importations Mini Italy
- Address: 3521 Boulevard Industriel, Montreal, Quebec
- Delegate: Ms. Noaro
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Meeting with Ms. Daniela Sfara (Board Chair and Ontario-Québec Delegate for ICC – Italian Culinary Consortium)
- Zoom call from CCIC
- Delegate: Mr. Rodà
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Meeting with Importer Angelo Rindone, Ithaca Direct
- Address: 1355 Rue Mazurette, Montréal, QC
- Delegate: Ms. Noaro
12:30 p.m. – Meeting with Milan Store Managers: Mr. Mario Zaurrini
- Address: Milano, 6862 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal
- Delegate: Ms. Noaro
1:00 p.m. – Meeting with Hon. Filomena Rotiroti
- Member for Jeanne-Mance-Viger, Quebec Liberal Party
- Address: 5450, rue Jarry Est, Bureau 100, Saint-Léonard (Quebec)
- Delegate: Mr. Rodà
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Interview with Italian Radio Station CFMB
- Ms. Ivana Bombardieri, Presenter & Ms. Rosa Acocella, Sales Director
- Address: 5877 Avenue Papineau, Montréal, QC
- Delegate: Mr. Rodà
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Meeting with Importer Stefano Simeoni, Simeoni Inc.
- Location: CCIC
- Delegate: Ms. Noaro
- Evening & Overnight
Overnight stay at the Hotel Le Mount Stephen.
Saturday, September 23: Final Day & Departure
- Morning: Free tours of outlets in Montréal
- Atwater Market: 138 Atwater Ave, Montreal, H4C 2H6
- Les 5 Saisons (The 5 Seasons) Westmount: 1280 Greene Ave, Westmount, H3Z 1C2
- Transfer to Montréal Airport
- Flight AC894, scheduled for 7:55 p.m. departure.
Conclusion
This third mission under the EAT & THINK PINK CANADA project marks another important milestone in our ongoing efforts to promote Italian agri-food excellence abroad. By meeting with local economic stakeholders, importers, and industry professionals, we aim to develop valuable collaborations and strengthen our presence in the Canadian market. Stay tuned for updates and insights from our journey across Vancouver and Montréal!
For more information on our activities and future missions, feel free to reach out or follow us on our social media channels.
