For the second time in as many months, Canada’s trade show landscape looks a little different.
Western Canadian Jewellery Expo (WCJE) owners Larry and Trish Ulliac have sold the show to the father and son team of Phil and Geoff Payne.
“With their considerable proficiency in marketing and extensive knowledge of the trade show industry, Geoff and Phil will most certainly take the expo forward while maintaining its status as Canada’s premier jewellery show,” said Larry, who will advise Phil and Geoff next year in his role as WCJE’s past president, as well as guide them through the transition.
“Trish and I wish the WCJE team years of continued success. We also wish to extend heartfelt appreciations to all the manufacturers, suppliers, sponsors, and retailers whose participation in the WCJE over the years accounts for its great success.” Larry will also continue as a WCJE exhibitor, while growing his agency from his existing location.
In addition to owning and operating distribution businesses in Western Canada, Phil is owner of AIM Capital Corp., a marketing and financial advisory service with clients in North America and Asia. He will provide show management support in Edmonton, as well as assist WCJE event director Lilie Ford, who is based in Ontario.
With degrees in automotive marketing and a bachelor of commerce, Geoff is a computer systems manager with 18 years of business information and development experience.
WCJE is held in August at Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre, providing retailers—particularly those in Western Canada—with a marketplace at the geographic centre of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
In September, Reed Exhibitions announced it would be postponing JCK Toronto indefinitely.
