Montreal, Febuary 3rd 2020. — There is big news for Quebec’s fashion industry thanks to the official launch of VOCA, an entirely unique event to help local retailers. Hailed as the innovation that the fashion world has been waiting for, VOCA is the only independent event of its kind that caters to sectors of the fashion industry as well as meets the needs of retailers that are confronted with the new challenges that ecommerce brings to their businesses.
Helping the fashion industry to grow
As Linda Fortier, President of Voca Évenements expérientiels explained: “We listened to the needs of Quebec-based retailers and discovered that they wanted a tradeshow where all sectors of the fashion industry came together under one roof. This is vast contrast to today’s reality in which the industry operates in silos. For example, the women’s fashion sector holds its own events on one side while the accessories or streetwear sectors have their own tradeshows.” Ms. Fortier, who is also the General Director of a group of manufacturing agents that represent hundreds of brands and companies, knows what she is talking about: for many years, she organized tradeshows for the association, which was created in 1956. She knows better than anyone that the sheer number of fashion tradeshows represents a huge financial investment and logistical challenge for retailers.
VOCA’s goal is to eliminate these major issues and develop a concept that will showcase all sectors of the fashion industry and enable retailers to better manage their purchasing and commercialization efforts. “When we join forces and maximize business opportunities for our retailers, consumers and designers ultimately benefit—thanks to a thriving fashion industry and a more exciting in-store offer,” said Ms. Fortier.
VOCA events, which will be seasonal and/or themed, will offer innovative and exciting programs for retailers and exhibitors alike. Geared towards the latest fashion trends and research and development from local and international brands, VOCA events will be chock-full of opportunities for industry stakeholders to come together, collaborate and innovate. For the first time ever, industry sectors will be represented: women’s and men’s fashion, junior apparel, lingerie, handbags, footwear, plus sizes, accessories, jewellery, Sports apparel, and much more!
August: VOCA in Drummondville
The first VOCA tradeshow will be dedicated to Spring + Summer 2021 fashion. The event will take place at Centrexpo Cogeco in Drummondville, from August 23 to 25, 2020. All stakeholders in the fashion industry will be on hand: retailers, representatives, manufacturing agents, designers, studios, suppliers, institutions and the media. Over 250 exhibitors and 800 brands have already shown interest in VOCA’s next event.
“The first VOCA event will span over 60 000 sq. ft. That is a huge tradeshow!” added Ms. Fortier. The event’s program will include runway shows, conferences, workshops and presentations on all aspects of the fashion business, such as marketing, new technologies, financial solutions, etc. Subsequent events will quickly follow: a second event, dedicated to Fall + Winter 2022, is currently being planned for January 2021 and will take place in either Montreal, Quebec City or Laval.
Many private – and public – sector organizations have already expressed their interest in supporting or sponsoring VOCA or one of its events, including: the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the new Association des représentants de la mode du Québec (ARMQ), which was inaugurated in January 2020.
To learn more about VOCA and its first tradeshow, please visit: www.vocamode.ca.
Collaborators
Partners
About VOCA
As the largest independent tradeshow that caters to the needs of Quebec retailers, VOCA Événements expérientiels Commerce + Mode’s mission is to bring all stakeholders of the fashion industry together in order to create partnerships between local retails and manufacturers from around the world. Focused on innovation and the latest trends VOCA’s seasonal and/or themed events are open to all companies and professionals in the industry to highlight businesses and brands, promote fashion, and showcase local designers.
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Source
Linda Fortier, President, VOCA
Information
Linda Fortier
l.fortier@vocamode.ca
450 818-2454