11/05/2010
COPA Stars Gala Celebrates innovation in Office Products
Gathering of familiar faces focused on fresh, new ideas.
The Canadian Office Products Association (COPA) hosted its annual awards gala on November 4, 2010. The overarching theme of the awards was innovation in office products. In fact, this year, two new award categories were added: Innovative Technology Product and Innovative Office Product.
It was a lively event that guests really enjoyed, and there was a noticeable mood of anticipation around the awards.
“Sharp was thrilled even to be nominated for an Award,” said Vicki McAloney, Marketing Manager, Office and Appliance Products at Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd. “We enjoyed the change in venue and the live auction was a lot of fun.”
A committee of industry members selected the award recipients from a huge pool of worthy submissions. The only exception was the People’s Choice Award for Best New Office Product of the Year, which was selected by COPA members from among all the finalists. This year, the award went to Crestar Ltd. for their innovative and eco-friendly Pilot B2P Bottle to Pen, which uses recycled Evian plastic water bottles to construct the shaft of the pen.
The Gala took place in the lush setting of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. Guests mingled for cocktails amid the tropical foliage of the Gardens building, where a silent auction was also set up, with proceeds benefiting the COPA Scholarship Fund. A trio of classical musicians created a pleasant background to the lively conversation, and continued to provide music throughout the evening. Comedian Evan Carter added a fresh face to the event, acting as emcee for the evening.
"The 2010 COPA Gala was the best yet in the three years I've attended this event. I liked that the winners were announced at the event this year -- it kept us in suspense!” said Alexis Dawson, National Account Manager at 3M Office Supplies Division. “As a member of the COPA Gala committee, it was an honour and privilege to have been involved in the award selection process.
I look forward to participating in the event again next year!"
Following dinner, a professional auctioneer led an entertaining live auction for three golf packages, an Air Canada Centre box for a Raptors game and an LCD TV. The live and silent auctions together raised a total of $8,695 for the COPA Scholarship Fund.
COPA has set a goal to raise $25,000 this year to mark the 25th anniversary of the Scholarship Fund. The annual golf tournament, a number of generous donations and the funds raised at the Gala have raised nearly $22,000 so far. The children and grandchildren of COPA members’ employees, as well as employees themselves, are eligible for the scholarship. This year, 13 students from across the country received scholarships totalling $14,500 to assist them in paying for their education. Four of the students attended the Gala to accept their awards in person.
“The COPA Scholarship is wonderful to receive, as it not only recognized my involvement as an employee of Staples but also my hard work and dedication to extracurricular activities and my grades,” said scholarship recipient Rebecca McDougall.
Congratulations to all the deserving scholarship and award recipients. Award winners are listed below.
Product Development Award of Excellence
Fellowes Canada Ltd. – Voyager 125 Laminator
3M Canada Company – Post-it Pop Up Note Purse Dispenser Esselte Canada Inc. – Pendaflex Sure Hook Hanging File Folder
Eco-Friendly Product Award of Excellence
Crestar Ltd. – Pilot B2P Bottle to Pen
Global Total Office – Bio Plush Foam
Innovative Technology Product Award of Excellence
3M Canada Company – 3M™ Pocket Projector MPro120
Sharp Electronics – Sharp WriteView Scientific Calculator ELW516B
Innovative Office Product Award of Excellence
Fellowes Canada Ltd. – PowerTrim™ Electric Paper Trimmer
Newell Rubbermaid Canada – Paper Mate Biodegradable
Fellowes Canada Ltd. – Climate Control Foot Rest
Community Leadership Award of Excellence
Monk Office
Staples Advantage & Junior Achievement of Canada STAPLES/Bureau en Gros – Back to School Supply Drive
Lyreco – Lyreco for Education
Eco-Friendly Program Award of Excellence
STAPLES/Bureau en Gros – Electronic Waste Recycling
Marketing Award of Excellence
Newell Rubbermaid Canada – Paper Mate Biodegradable Integrated Marketing Campaign: “Every Little Bit Helps”
ACCO Brands Canada – Organize Your Desk Day 2009
Longstanding Service Recognitions
Bob Pickard, Multi Mark Agents Ltd. Andre Gosselin, Staples Advantage Canada
People’s Choice for Best New Office Product of the Year
Crestar Ltd. – Pilot B2P Bottle to Pen
About COPA
The Canadian Office Products Association is a national trade association comprising more than 500 member companies engaged in the production, distribution and/or sale of business products, including office supplies, stationery, office furniture, office equipment, office machines and related items. COPA’s members contribute $6.1 billion annually to the Canadian economy. The Association celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2008. For further information, please contact Arlene Allen at 905.624.9462 ext. 227, or [email protected].