TORONTO — Approximately 1,000 hotel decision-makers attended Avendra’s Supplier Show at the Royal York Hotel earlier this month to sample products, network and discover what’s new in the supply world from Avendra suppliers.

The sixth annual supplier show, which rotates between Montreal and Toronto, featured 133 vendors ranging from foodstuffs to amenities to large equipment. The all-day event has become a popular destination for the hotel community to get better educated in a single venue about the breadth of products and services offered by Avendra suppliers.

“As the leading procurement services provider in the hospitality industry, not only do we aggregate and leverage the purchasing volume of our customers to create significant buying power and, consequently, to negotiate the best possible deals with key suppliers, we also invest in value-added services for our customers that they would not invest in to the same extent. This includes contracting expertise, enhanced supplier management, multi-tiered customer support, quality assurance, price-audit capabilities and in-depth data analysis,” said Afsar Khan, director, Field Support & Customer Relations Central & Eastern Canada, Avendra. “This event is just one more example of how we go above and beyond to earn our customer’s business. In fact, this is our sixth year organizing the event and every year it keeps getting bigger and better. It’s a great opportunity for our clients to learn more about Avendra’s innovative programs, to sample and see new products up-close and to speak with our suppliers about how to successfully grow their businesses. It truly is a win-win for everyone.”

A special dinner the night before the event featured 42 hotel GMs, who dined at Epic restaurant in the Royal York Hotel. As part of the supplier show, the first 200 guests to the show received door prizes such as iPads/tablets, cameras, gift cards and more. Attendees who visited at least 50 suppliers also had the chance to win one of six mega-raffles, which featured spa and resort packages, NHL tickets and more.

Capping off the day, Rosanna Caira, editor and publisher of Hotelier magazine, announced a new endowment fund that has been set up by Avendra and One King West to honour the memory of Kosta Tomazos, who passed away earlier this year. A scholarship of $1,200 will be awarded annually to a worthy hospitality student. The scholarship will be administered by the Canadian Hospitality Foundation, and presented at the CHF Ball in October. To date, the response to the initiative has been overwhelming with more than half of the $50,000 goal already realized.

Tomazos was the former president of CK Atlantis, which manages One King West Hotel. The popular hotelier was formerly with Starwood Hotels as managing director of the Sheraton Hotel. In addition to the scholarship, a new golf tournament will be held on October 3 at the Milton Golf Course.

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