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Summer/Fall 2026 | Volume 14

Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association | Association Canadienne des fournisseurs de services audiovisuels

President’s Report Dear Members, I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the summer and some of the great weather across the country. As we move into what is always a very busy fall season for our industry, I am pleased to provide an update on some of CAVPA’s recent activities and priorities. First, thank you to everyone who joined us at our annual InfoComm reception in June. It was great to see so many members and industry friends together in one place. A special thank you to Barco for hosting us in their booth, and to Bruce and the team at Advanced Systems for generously sponsoring the drinks. Events like this continue to be a valuable opportunity for members to connect in person and strengthen relationships across the Canadian AV community.

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One of CAVPA’s biggest areas of focus continues to be the growing conversation around supporting Canadian businesses. The ongoing trade conflict with the United States has significantly increased awareness of foreign ownership and the importance of supporting Canadian companies. For CAVPA, we believe there is an important additional distinction that needs to be made: not simply whether a company operates in Canada, but whether it is actually Canadian-owned. We continue to work hard to advance that message through our social media channels, direct government advocacy, and the work of our lobbyist, Michael Wood. Our Marketing Committee, led by Chair Kyle Brooks and supported by the committee members, Michael, and K-J, who manages our social media activity, has been extremely active in promoting the Canadian-owned message. Thank you to everyone involved. The increased volume and visibility of CAVPA’s communications over the past year has been significant.

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We have also begun expanding this work into media outreach, with the goal of bringing the “Buy Canadian” and, more specifically, “Buy Canadian-Owned” conversation to a broader audience beyond our own industry channels. Going forward, we also intend to engage more closely with organizations such as Destination Canada and Meetings Mean Continued…

2800 - 14th Ave., Suite 310, Markham, ON L3R 0E4 | T: 416-491-2886 | www.cavpa.ca

2025-2026 Board of Directors PRESIDENT

Tim Lang Marketing Proshow Audiovisual Burnaby, BC T: 604-293-1771 E: timlang@proshow.com VICE–PRESIDENT

Bruce DeMond Advanced Systems Halifax, NS T: 902-454-4742 E: bruce@advancedsystems.ca TREASURER

Cal McCarthy Marketing SW Event Technology Kelowna, BC T: 250-868-3333 ext 2233 E: cmccarthy@sw-online.com DIRECTORS

Martin Blanchard Sponsorship Expert’Ease Productions Montreal, QC T: 514-444-7723 E: martin@expertease.ca Kyle Brooks Marketing Chair, Strategy Bespoke Audio Visual Etobicoke, ON T: 647-797-9911 E: kyle.brooks@bespokeav.ca Garry Hale AVentPro Winnipeg, MB T: 204-226-5565 E: hale@aventpro.com Jim Harris Membership Eastern Audio Limited St. John’s, NFLD T: 709 722 0864 Tyler Tardiff TKNL Boucherville, QC T: 514-777-7335 Jason Wagner Marketing Fifty North Events Winnipeg, MB T: 204-227-8951 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Carolyne Vigon T: 416-491-2886 E: carolyne@cavpa.ca

President’s Report Cont’d Business Canada to help build awareness among meeting planners, destinations, venues, and other stakeholders. On the government relations side, Michael continues to communicate with both federal and provincial governments about the importance of recognizing Canadian-owned businesses as distinct from Canadian subsidiaries of foreign companies. While we have not yet seen much movement on this distinction at the federal level, there appears to be greater philosophical support for the concept in some provincial discussions. The challenge, of course, is turning that sentiment into meaningful changes in procurement policy, and that remains very much a work in progress. Membership renewals will also be going out this fall. CAVPA has not increased membership dues since the association was established in 2021, despite the significant inflation and increased operating costs we have experienced over that period. For the 2026-27 membership year, we will therefore be making some adjustments to our membership structure. Annual dues for companies in the $2.5 million to $5 million revenue category will increase by $200, while dues for companies in the $5 million to $20 million category will increase by $300. In both cases, this represents an increase of roughly 10%. By comparison, cumulative Canadian inflation since 2021 has been approximately 22%, so these increases represent only about half of the inflation experienced over the same period. We are also introducing a new membership category for companies with annual revenues above $20 million, at $3,995 per year. Previously, our highest category covered all companies above $5 million at $2,995 per year. While the new top tier represents a larger increase for our biggest members, it also recognizes the significant difference in scale between a $6 million company and a company several times that size, while helping ensure CAVPA has the resources needed to continue expanding our advocacy, marketing, and industry outreach. For members in our two highest tiers, $5 million to $20 million and over $20 million, we will also be introducing the option to add additional provincial locations to the CAVPA member directory and member map. Base membership will continue to include one location, with additional locations available at $1,500 per location per year. To qualify, each additional location must be a dedicated physical operation in that province, with at least five full-time employees and a warehouse of Continued…

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

(Ottawa Consultants) Michael Wood T: 613-265-9967 E: mike@cavpa.ca

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CAVPA Newsletter | SUMMER/ FALL 2026

at least 2,500 square feet. Shared offices, virtual locations, or similar arrangements will not qualify. As CAVPA continues to grow and mature, the need for a strong national voice representing Canadian-owned AV companies has never been more important. Whether it is government procurement, foreign ownership, competitive access, industry awareness, or simply ensuring that decision-makers understand who our members are and the contribution they make to the Canadian economy, none of this work happens without the support of our members and sponsors. Thank you to every CAVPA member, sponsor, committee volunteer, and Board member for continuing to support the association. Every single member contributes to the credibility and strength of our collective voice, and I appreciate the continued commitment to what we are building together. I wish everyone a successful and busy fall season, and I look forward to connecting with many of you over the coming months. Tim Lang President, CAVPA

Thank You to Sponsors... PLATINUM SPONSORS

intellievent.com Manage Your Entire Workflow IntelliEvent Lightning is cloud-based rental business management software that helps rental companies, venues, and AV and production pros manage every aspect of your dynamic business.

www.scmediacanada.com SC Media Canada is a Montreal-based 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.

www.theatrixx.com

to Our Newest Member New Horizon Productions Scott Melnyk 105-2293 Leckie Road Kelowna BC V1X 6Y5 T – 250-863-0873

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.

GOLD SPONSOR

www.gerr.com GerrAudio supplies and supports professional audio and communications systems for some of Canada’s most demanding productions.

System design, training, and ongoing technical support are core to our approach, making value-added distribution our specialty.

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CAVPA Newsletter | SUMMER/ FALL 2026

Event Highlights InfoComm 2026

Mingling at the Reception

CAVPA Reception Group

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Committee News Marketing Committee Update: Building Momentum The CAVPA Marketing Committee has continued meeting throughout the summer, advancing our efforts to strengthen the association’s voice and promote the value of Canadian-owned AV providers and helping our stakeholders understand the differentiation between Canadian-owned and operated in Canada. Our social media efforts remain focused on CAVPA’s three pillars: advocacy, advancing industry education, and connecting talent with employers. Since the committee and social team began taking a more coordinated and consistent approach, CAVPA has seen an increase in social media followers and engagement. This growth is encouraging and demonstrates the value of focused, relevant content. CAVPA’s next major priority campaign is concerning audiovisual procurement at publicly funded convention centres and facilities across Canada. The objective is to encourage greater transparency, fair competition and meaningful opportunities for Canadian-owned AV providers. Considerable work has gone into building a national database of major publicly funded facilities, including key contacts, current in-house AV providers and anticipated contract renewal timelines. This research will allow CAVPA to conductthoughtful, targeted outreach when facility contracts and procurement decisions are most likely to be reviewed. The committee’s next steps include: • Developing campaign correspondence, beginning with a letter to Convention Centres of Canada explaining CAVPA’s objectives and approach. • Creating a dedicated campaign page on the CAVPA website. • Finalizing the facility database and contract timelines. • Launching targeted outreach once the website content and supporting materials are complete. Much of the summer’s activity has taken place behind the scenes, but this foundational work is important. It will allow CAVPA to enter the market with a coordinated, credible and well-supported campaign while continuing to build itspublic voice through consistent social content. We look forward to moving this work into its next phase this fall and keeping members informed as the campaign develops. Kyle Brooks CAVPA Marketing Chair Chief Strategy Officer Avera Audiovisual

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CAVPA News

CAVPA is now a Bronze Member of MMBC Meetings Mean Business Canada (MMBC) is a national advocacy coalition that promotes the economic and social value of business meetings, conferences, trade shows, and events across Canada. As a Bronze Member, CAVPA joins a network of industry leaders working to elevate the profile of the meetings and events sector, strengthen advocacy efforts, and showcase the important role that faceto-face business events play in driving economic growth, innovation, professional development, and community connections.

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Member News

Avera Merger Update On April 16, Proshow Audiovisual, Bespoke Audio Visual and XPAV announced that the three companies were coming together to form Avera. Each legacy company brought a strong history and regional presence to the merger: Proshow in Western Canada, Bespoke in Ontario and XPAV in Quebec. The combination was intended to preserve that local experience while creating a more connected Canadian organization capable of supporting clients across multiple markets. The legal amalgamation of the three companies was completed on July 1. Since then, the teams have continued working through the practical process of integrating people, systems and operations. As of September 8, the next visible stage of the transition is complete. Proshow, Bespoke and XPAV are now communicating with the market through one Avera voice. The legacy names remain an important part of the company’s history, but all external communications, marketing and clientfacing materials will now carry the Avera brand. Avera has approximately 250 full-time employees working from seven offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Drummondville and Quebec City. The national footprint allows the company to combine local teams and market knowledge with shared people, equipment and expertise across the country. The merger responds to a need we have increasingly heard from clients: a Canadian-owned audiovisual partner that can provide consistent support across multiple regions while remaining connected to the local teams and communities in which events take place. There is still considerable integration work ahead, but September 8 represents an important milestone. We are grateful for the support of our industry colleagues throughout the transition and look forward to continuing our participation in CAVPA as Avera. Kyle Brooks Chief Strategy Officer Avera Audiovisual

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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

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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. Educate governments on the significance of our industry and its economic and employment contributions. Promote recognition of our sector as a critical supply chain service provider supporting live events and communications for many other key sectors. Challenge monopolistic and anti-competitive practices that seek to harm the competitiveness and viability of Canadian owned AV companies. Collaborate with other aligned organizations’ advocacy efforts to help amplify our messages and goals.

Industry Engagement l

Engage with event planners, venues, and other industry stakeholders.

Promote the benefits and value provided by Canadian-owned audio visual companies.

Promote a fair opportunity for Canadian owned AV businesses to provide their services at events and venues across the country. 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. 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!

For more information and to join CAVPA visit www.cavpa.ca

CAVPA, 2800 - 14th Ave., Suite 210, Markham, ON L3R 0E4 | T: 416-491-2886

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Platinum l

l l

Maximum of 5 sponsors in this tier Sector protection

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Sector protection

2 year commitment

3 year commitment and first right of refusal for renewals Logo on CAVPA signage, website, newsletter & other promotional materials

Optional participation at AGM & member events Complimentary advertisements in CAVPA newsletters (large size) Complimentary email distribution to CAVPA members (max once per month)

Silver

Logo on CAVPA website, newsletters and other select promotional materials

Optional participation at AGM & member events Complimentary advertisements in CAVPA newsletters (medium size)

Complimentary email distribution to CAVPA members (max once per quarter)

2 year commitment Logo on CAVPA website, newsletters and other select promotional materials Optional participation at AGM & select member events Complimentary advertisements in CAVPA newsletters (small size) $3,000/year ($CAD) annual sponsorship (2yrs paid up front)

$6,000/year ($CAD) annual sponsorship (paid annually)

$10,000/year ($CAD) annual sponsorship (paid annually)

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at admin@CAVPA.ca

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CAVPA MEMBER ROSTER BRITISH COLUMBIA Lumera Productions Inc. Shane Archer 1563 Fremont Pl. Victoria, BC V8N 4R4 T - 250-412-7159

New Horizon Productions Scott Melnyk 105-2293 Leckie Road Kelowna, BC V1X 6Y5 T - 250-863-0873

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

Russell Audio-Visual Jon Russell 710 3rd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3C5 250-617-2969

SW Event Technology Cal McCarthy 1-325 Bay Avenue Lake Country, BC V4V 1N2 T – 250-868-3333 Ext. 2233

ALBERTA Avante Audio Visual Kinga Starzyk 246 Stewart Green SW #1420 Calgary, AB T3H 3C8 403-830-6289

Black Cab Productions Oli Kiddell 23 Covecreek Close Calgary, AB T3K 0J4 T - 587-664-9802

Digital Media Integrations Dustin Milne 1137 45 Ave NE Calgary, AB T2E 2P2 403-861-8333

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

Kiwi Productions Inc. Bryce Lambert 13119 208 street NW Edmonton, AB T5S 0L5 780-886-0547

Orange Frog Productions Inc. Pierre Marleau 2880 45 Avenue SE Suite 280 Calgary, AB 403-703-7730 780-886-0547

Continued…

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CAVPA MEMBER ROSTER CONT’D Production World Inc. Kelly Kimo 12410B – 142 Street Edmonton, AB T5L 4K2 T - 780-918-8606

RnR Productions Rob Evans 4121 23B St NE Calgary, AB T2E 7V9 1-855-876-7776

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 R2J 0L1 T – 204-219-1409

Fifty North Events Jason Wagner Unit 2 – 1051 Marion street Winnipeg, MB R2J 0L1 T - 204-227-8951

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ONTARIO

Systech AV Canada Mark Cabuenas 715 Fenmar Drive North York, ON, M9L 1C8 T – 416 741-5994

Baldwin Studio Alex Coon 9 Capella Court, Ottawa, ON K2E 8A7 T – 613-227-3645

QUEBEC

AV-Canada Inc. Danny Dobriansky 1655 Queensway East Mississauga, ON L4X 2Z5 T – 905-566-5500 x222

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

Carbon Arc Projects Inc. Sean Hooper 8-290 Thompson Dr., Cambridge, ON N1T 2E3 T - 416-492-1063

Impact AV Solutions Randy Woolman 86 Guided Court – Unit M, Toronto, ON M9V 4K6 T – 877-462-3174

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

NOVA SCOTIA Advanced Systems Bruce DeMond Box 31005 Halifax, NS B3K 5T9 T – 902-454-4742

Stagevision Inc. Bryce Engelman 5915 Coopers Avenue Mississauga, 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

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CAVPA MEMBER ROSTER CONT’D PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

House-Front Production Services Inc. Lee Forster 14D Exhibition Drive Charlottetown, PE C1A 5Z5 902-566-1760

CanadianAV Inc Andy Jordan 22 Pearl Place St. John’s, NL A1E4P3 T - 709-739-6666

Pater Audio Phil Pater 355 York Point Road Cornwall, PE C0A1H4 902-629-5737

Become a CAVPA Member

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Eastern Audio Limited Jim Harris 5 Waterford Bridge Road St. John’s, NL, A1E 1C5 jim@easternaudio.com T - 709-722-0864

Join CAVPA today as we become the voice of Canadian-Audio Visual providers in Canada

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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

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://cavpa.ca

Canadian Audio Visual Providers Association 2800 – 14th Ave., Suite 210 Markham, ON L3R 0E4 Tel: 416-491-2886 Email: admin@CAVPA.ca

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