National Forum

This event is our larger conference of the year and is intended to apply to all members of the CKCA from all parts of Canada. Programming for the NF will focus on broad education for the manufacturers and will have key education is a core component of the events. Manufacturing plant tours will be offered. Typically held at the end of April or early May, this event will rotate to major centres in Canada (such as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary etc.); or be held in resort areas (such as Banff, Whistler, Mont Tremblant, Niagara on the Lake etc.)

Note: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the National Forum has been held virtually in 2020 and 2021. We hope to return to our normal programming in 2022.

Here is what one of our members said about the 2016 National Forum:

“This year’s CKCA meeting was one of the best ever.  As well as a terrific venue, the insight provided to us by fellow manufacturers and suppliers was most impressive.  Despite our being in the business for quite some time, we were still able to come home with several tools and resources to further expand our business.  These events truly show the value of being a member of, and attending CKCA events.”

Mario Furtado, Marana Kitchens, Toronto, ON

Format of the National Forum:

Day 1

  • Breakfast, opening, start tours
  • Luncheon
  • Afternoon education sessions and more tours
  • Group dinner

Day 2

  • Breakfast & AGM/Elections
  • Plant tours & Education sessions
  • Social Activities
  • Presidents Dinner

Day 3

  • Education Sessions
  • Manufacturer roundtable
  • Supplier presentations
  • Adjournment

Regional Events

Regionals are shorter in duration and are intended to draw from a local area and surrounding areas, and will be held in smaller centres (such as Moncton NB, Windsor ON, Richmond BC etc.). We will have 2 regional events per year that are always held on a Monday/Tuesday. The regional events take place in February and September.

The format for regional events is shorter in duration. Usually a Monday/Tuesday format

Day 1

  • Welcome and depart on plant tours
  • Lunch and presenter
  • Afternoon plant tour/education sessions
  • Networking dinner

Day 2

  • Breakfast and presenter
  • Plant tours and education sessions
  • Manufacturers Roundtable
  • Conclusion is at the end of day 2 (afternoon)

Pattern of Events

In order to determine when CKCA is coming to a region near you, this is how CKCA determines locations:
If the National Forum is:

Western Canada = Regionals will be Ontario and Eastern Canada
Ontario = Regionals will be Eastern Canada and Western Canada
Eastern Canada – Regionals will be Western Canada and Ontario

Note: Due to Covid-19 we have been unable to host any face to face regional events. We hope to resume in 2022.