President’s Report
I hope you are all enjoying the final stretch of summer and finding a moment to recharge before the busy autumn conference season begins. The past few months have been both productive and energizing for CAVPA, with meaningful progress on our advocacy efforts, fresh momentum behind the Buy Canada campaign, and two successful in-person gatherings that reminded us why a strong, coast-to-coast community of Canadian-owned AV companies matters more than ever.
Highlights Since Our Spring Newsletter
InfoComm 2025 Reception – Orlando (12 June)
• Nearly 30 members, sponsors and guests joined us at the Rosen Plaza for an evening of connection, conversation and community.
Summer Get-Together & Town Hall – Montréal (16 July)
• Representatives from seven member companies attended our first fully in-person summer event, with additional members joining the Town Hall segment via Teams.
• A morning tour of the brand-new Theatrixx factory showcased their Canadian-made LED, power-distribution, mini-converter and cabling solutions.
Platinum Sponsors:
• An afternoon visit to SC Media headquarters featured an informative Barco presentation—plus a chance to meet Barco global sales manager Richard Marples, who flew in all the way from Belgium.
• We wrapped up the day with dinner at the renowned Maggie Oakes Steakhouse in Old Montréal—great ideas, fine wine and delicious steaks all around!
Advocacy & Government Relations
Our lobbyist Michael Wood continues to press the Buy Canada message with federal and provincial procurement teams. We remain engaged with the Competition Bureau, which is reviewing the extensive data supplied so far and consulting stakeholders.
Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association
PRESIDENT
Tim Lang
Proshow Audiovisual
8105 N Fraser Way
Burnaby, BC V5J 5M8
T: 604-293-1771
E: timlang@proshow.com
VICE–PRESIDENT
Martin Blanchard
Expert’Ease Productions
7836 Rue Jarry E Montreal, QC H1J 2A1
T: 514-444-7723
E: martin@expertease.ca
TREASURER
Cal McCarthy
SW Event Technology
1-325 Bay Avenue
Kelowna, BC V1Y7S3
T: 250-868-3333 ext 2233
E: cmccarthy@sw-online.com
DIRECTORS
Kyle Brooks
Bespoke Audio Visual 907 Oxford St. Etobicoke, ON M8Z 5T1
T: 647-797-9911
E: kyle.brooks@bespokeav.ca
Bruce DeMond
Advanced Systems
5678 Stanley Street Halifax, NS B3K 2G1
T: 902-454-4742
E: bruce@advancedsystems.ca
Garry Hale
AVentPro
45 Beghin Ave #6 Winnipeg, MB R2J 4B9
T: 204-226-5565
E: hale@aventpro.com
Jim Harris
Eastern Audio Limited PO. Box 997, 5 Waterford Bridge Road
St. John’s, NFLD A1C 5M3
T: 709 722 0864
Tyler Tardiff TKNL
1349 Rue Gay-Lussac Boucherville, QC J4B 7K1
T: 514-777-7335
Jason Wagner
Fifty North Events Unit 2-1051 Marion Street Winnipeg, MB R2J 0L1
T: 204-227-8951
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Carolyne Vigon
T: 416-491-2886
E: carolyne@cavpa.ca
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
(Ottawa Consultants)
Michael Wood
T: 613-265-9967
E: mike@cavpa.ca
Our partnership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is also bearing fruit. After a spring strategy session with CAVPA, CFIB issued several letters to key government representatives, amplifying our concerns about competition and public-sector procurement. They have since held a preliminary meeting with the Competition Bureau, adding the weight of their 100,000-member voice to our complaint; the Bureau has confirmed the file is under active investigation.
Marketing & Member Growth
• Since paid LinkedIn placements launched in May, our Buy Canada posts have generated 33,717 impressions, 350 clicks (website visits), and 1.72% average CTR—well above platform benchmarks.
• We now have 447 followers on LinkedIn.
• A refreshed CAVPA brand kit (bilingual logos, badges and font/colour guides) is available in the members’ portal.
Membership
Our roster has reached a record-setting 36 active members. While this growth is encouraging, each additional member strengthens our advocacy voice—so please continue to spread the word.
What’s Next
• Members’ Update Call – Tuesday, 14 October 2025 · 1:00 –2:00 p.m. ET
Watch your inbox for the Teams link and agenda.
Closing Thoughts
CAVPA’s influence grows in lockstep with your engagement. Whether you contributed data to our lobbying efforts, amplified a Buy Canada post, or networked with peers at our summer events—thank you. Together, we are proving that Canadian-owned audiovisual companies deliver world-class solutions while investing in local jobs, innovation and community.
On behalf of the Board, I wish you a successful fall season and look forward to seeing many of you online in October.
Warm regards,
Tim Lang President, CAVPA
Platinum Sponsors:
Event Highlights
Summer
Get Together - July 16th in Montreal
to
Sponsor SC
,
Attendees included members from: Advanced Systems - Bruce Demond; Baldwin Studio - Alex Coon; Bespoke Audiovisual - Mike Wilson; Duoson - Corey Burroughs; Proshow Audiovisual - Tim Lang; TKNL - Tyler Tardiff; and XPAV (Expert’Ease) - Patrick Phaneuf
Visit
Platinum
Media
hosted by Rahim Mathu and Noah Daoust, along with Richard Marples from Barco
Visit to Platinum Sponsor Theatrixx, hosted by Jaques Tessier and Maxime Duschinsky
Event Highlights
InfoComm 2025 Reception in Orlando, June
12th, 2025)
Nearly 30 members, sponsors and guests joined us at the Rosen Plaza for an evening of connection, conversation and community.
Member News
Proshow Audiovisual is proud to have delivered full AV solutions for the G7 Summit 2025 in Kananaskis, Alberta. Our team provided audio distribution, Bosch conference microphones, simultaneous interpretation in 10 languages, broadcast lighting, and end-to-end video production and streaming. Over three weeks, our technicians worked tirelessly across Banff, Kananaskis, and Calgary to ensure crystal-clear communication for world leaders and stakeholders. We’re honored to have contributed to the seamless execution of this high-profile event, showcasing the expertise and dedication of our incredible team.
Send Us Your News
We are pleased to extend an invitation to CAVPA members to share your news — staff announcements, new products or services, new business opportunities — anything and everything that will be of interest to other CAVPA members. Your news will be shared in CAVPA’s quarterly newsletter.
Please submit your news article to admin@cavpa.ca
613-227-3645
M9L 1C8 T – 416 741-5994
Mark Your Calendar…
Virtual Member Meeting
Members Update Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
1:00-2:00 pm ET via Zoom
Please mark this date in your calendar and plan to join the CAVPA Board of Directors and Platinum Sponsors for an update on recent activities and accomplishments, as well as plans for the future. Watch your inbox for further information.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The CAVPA Board of Directors has developed a comprehensive strategic plan that provides a roadmap for the future growth and success of the association.
To facilitate the execution of this plan, committees have been identified as follows:
Marketing
Chair: Kyle Brooks
Goals: Marketplace competition, Newsletter, Website
Education
Chair: Cal McCarthy
Goals: Career opportunities, industry engagement
Membership
Chair: Jim Harris
Goal: Membership growth
Sponsorship
Chair: Martin Blanchard
Goal: Increase sponsorship
Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering for any committees.
Manage Your Entire Workflow
IntelliEvent Lightning is cloudbased rental business management software that helps rental companies, venues, and AV and production pros manage every aspect of your dynamic business.
SC Media Canada is a Montrealbased high-end Audio/Video Distributor. We opened our doors in 1983 and have continued to grow ever since. We believe in providing value to our customers at every turn, whether it be through the products we distribute, or the services we provide.
Based in Montreal, Theatrixx Technologies is a manufacturer and distributor of technical equipment specially adapted for the performing arts, events and entertainment sectors. We manufacture custom equipment which offers innovative solutions to video, lighting, power and cabling challenges.
Who Are We?
CAVPA is a non-profit association representing Canadian-owned audio visual, sound, and lighting companies from coast to coast by engaging with the event industry, facilitating government advocacy, and creating career awareness.
Government Advocacy
l Facilitate and conduct direct government advocacy at the Provincial and Federal levels on issues of importance to our members.
l Educate governments on the significance of our industry and its economic and employment contributions.
l Promote recognition of our sector as a critical supply chain service provider supporting live events and communications for many other key sectors.
l Challenge monopolistic and anti-competitive practices that seek to harm the competitiveness and viability of Canadian owned AV companies.
l Collaborate with other aligned organizations’ advocacy e orts to help amplify our messages and goals.
Industry Engagement
l Engage with event planners, venues, and other industry stakeholders.
l Promote the benefits and value provided by Canadian-owned audio visual companies.
l Promote a fair opportunity for Canadian owned AV businesses to provide their services at events and venues across the country.
l Educate event planners on the options available when booking venues to help enable freedom of choice in AV vendor selection.
Career Awareness & Education
l Raise awareness of the many career opportunities with our members and industry.
l Engage with post secondary institutions to identify existing programs applicable to, but not targeted at, our industry such as stagecraft, film & television and recording programs, and work to promote our industry as a viable career option for graduates of these programs.
When you join CAVPA, you also get a membership in CFIB!
With 97,000 members, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association dedicated to increasing the odds of success for business owners. All CAVPA members can enjoy exclusive CFIB savings on essential business services like payment processing, banking, shipping, and payroll processing. Plus, you can get expert advice on virtually any HR, compliance, or business issue - and a stronger voice at all levels of government!
Platinum Sponsors:
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Platinum
l Maximum of 5 sponsors in this tier
l Sector protection
l 3 year commitment and first right of refusal for renewals
l Logo on CAVPA signage, website, newsletter & other promotional materials
l Optional participation at AGM & member events
l Complimentary advertisements in CAVPA newsletters (large size)
l Complimentary email distribution to CAVPA members (max once per month)
l $10,000/year ($CAD) annual sponsorship (paid annually)
Gold
l Sector protection
l 2 year commitment
l Logo on CAVPA website, newsletters and other select promotional materials
l Optional participation at AGM & member events
l Complimentary advertisements in CAVPA newsletters (medium size)
l Complimentary email distribution to CAVPA members (max once per quarter)
l $6,000/year ($CAD) annual sponsorship (paid annually)
Silver
l 2 year commitment
l Logo on CAVPA website, newsletters and other select promotional materials
l Optional participation at AGM & select member events
l Complimentary advertisements in CAVPA newsletters (small size)
l $3,000/year ($CAD) annual sponsorship (2yrs paid up front)
CAVPA MEMBER ROSTER
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Lumera Productions Inc.
Shane Archer 1563 Fremont Pl. Victoria, BC V8N 4R4 T - 250-412-7159
Proshow Audiovisual
Tim Lang
Unit A – 8105 North Fraser Way Burnaby, BC V5J 5M8 T – 604-612-7129
Riggit Services Inc.
Rick Smith 8021 Enterprise St. Burnaby, BC V5A 1V5 T – 604-653-9391
SW Event Technology
Cal McCarthy 1-325 Bay Avenue Lake Country, BC V4V 1N2 T – 250-868-3333 Ext. 2233
ALBERTA
Black Cab Productions
Oli Kiddell 23 Covecreek Close Calgary, AB T3K 0J4 T - 587-664-9802
EK Productions
Darrell Garton 4709 14ST NE Unit 8 Calgary, AB T2E6S4 T - 403-680-0145
Event Technology Solutions
Brent Taylor 52-9903 209 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5T 5X9 T – 780-446-9495
invert720 Productions Inc.
Justin Armstrong 101, 17628 103 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5S 1J9 T – 780-999-5792
KDL Audio Ltd.
Kyle Lupul PO box 3301 Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T2 T - 780-498-6336
Orange Frog Productions Inc.
Pierre Marleau 2880 45 Avenue SE, Suite 285 Calgary, AB T2B 3M1 T - 403-703-7730
Production World Inc.
Kelly Kimo 12410B – 142 Street Edmonton, AB T5L 4K2 T - 780-918-8606
SASKATCHEWAN
ProAV LTD (Professional Audio Visual Ltd) Mark Kowalyk 1370 Cornwall Street Regina, SK S4R 2H5 T - 306-565-0100
Saskatoon Audio Visual
Chris Lawrie 324C 105th St East Saskatoon, SK S7N 1Z3 T - 306-261-4055
MANITOBA
AVentPro Inc.
Garry Hale B-635 Camiel Sys Street Winnipeg, MB R2J 1B5 T – 204-226-5565
EventLight.ca Inc.
Cameron Friesen 1051 Marion Street Winnipeg, MB R3M 3M9 T – 204-232-5165
Fifty North Events
Jason Wagner Unit 2 – 1051 Marion street Winnipeg, MB R2J 0L1 T - 204-227-8951
CAVPA MEMBER ROSTER CONT’D
Impact AV Solutions
Randy Woolman
86 Guided Court – Unit M, Toronto, ON M9V 4K6 T – 877-462-3174
SAVI
Avi Yurman
601 Magnetic Drive, Toronto, ON M3J3J2 T - 905-669-7284
Stagevision Inc.
Bryce Engelman
ONTARIO
AV-Canada Inc.
Danny Dobriansky 1655 Queensway East Mississauga, ON L4X 2Z5 T – 905-566-5500 x222
Baldwin Studio Alex Coon
9 Capella Court, Ottawa, ON K2E 8A7 T – 613-227-3645
bb Blanc Inc.
Rennie Colelli
41 Keyes Court, Unit 2, Vaughan, ON L4H 4V6 T – 416-360-0440
Bespoke Audio Visual
Michael Wilson
907 Oxford St., Toronto, ON M8Z 5T1 T – 647-797-9911
Byrne Production Services
Matthew Byrne
760 Laurentian Drive, Burlington, ON L7N 0A4 877-233-9242
Carbon Arc Projects Inc.
Sean Hooper 8-290 Thompson Dr., Cambridge, ON N1T 2E3 T - 416-492-1063
5915 Coopers AvenueMississauga, ON L4Z 1R9 T - 905-890-8200
Straight Street Event Services
Keith Kissner C1-115 Saltsman Drive Cambridge, ON N3H 4R7 keith@straightst.com T - 519-893-3668
Systech AV Canada
Julie Cabuenas 715 Fenmar Drive North York, ON, M9L 1C8 T – 416 741-5994
QUEBEC
Duoson Multimedia
Héléne Drolet 6120 Rue Christophe - Pélissier Trois Riviéres, QC G9A 5C9 T – 1-819-373-4701
Les Productions expert’ease
Martin Blanchard 7836 rue Jarry Est, Montreal, QC H1J 2A1 T – 514-444-7723
TKNL
Tyler Tardiff 1349 Rue Gay-Lussac Boucherville, QC J4B7K1 T - 514-777-7335
NEW BRUNSWICK
Signature Sound Ltd
Mike Jones
1995 Route 640 Hanwell, NB E3C1Z5 T - 506-459-7977
NOVA SCOTIA
Advanced Systems
Bruce DeMond Box 31005
Halifax, NS B3K 5T9 T – 902-454-4742
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Pater Audio
Phil Pater 355 York Point Road Cornwall, PE C0A1H4 902-629-5737
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
CanadianAV Inc
Andy Jordan
22 Pearl Place St. John’s, NL A1E4P3 T - 709-739-6666
Eastern Audio Limited
Jim Harris
5 Waterford Bridge Road St. John’s, NL, A1E 1C5 jim@easternaudio.com T - 709-722-0864
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
CITT/ICTS
Bureau national 1200 Avenue McGill College Suite 1100
Montréal, QC. H3B 4G7
Direct: 514 504-9997
Canada: 1-888-271-3383
