Please sign and return your Exhibitor Contracts and Health & Safety Forms as soon as possible (if you haven't already).

Exhibitor Booth invoices are due no later than September 30, 2011!

All show information can be found by following this link http://www.wrla.org/prairieshowcase/exhibitor_guide.html

If you would like to cancel your booth, please send an email to ckelly@wrla.org

Online Registration for your name badges and evening events will be available in early October - so watch www.wrla.org for links - don't assume someone else has registered you - check to make sure to avoid the line-up at the door!

On August 30, the Bursary Committee selected seven students to each receive a $1,500 WRLA 2011 Bursary Award. Congratulations!

Andrew Dixon - IRLY Distributors Ltd. Surrey, BC
Jolene Dupuis - Windsor Plywood, Winnipeg, MB
Raelene Hartfelder - Okotoks Home Hardware Building Centre, Okotoks, AB
Niki Penner - Taiga Building Products, Winnipeg, MB
Amber Radom - Foam Lake Co-op, Foam Lake, SK
Viktor Rau - Canadian Lumber Ltd., Winkler, MB
Jessica Trudeau - Westwood Fine Cabinetry, Kelowna, BC

The 2011 WRLA Audit Report is now available to WRLA Members. If you would like to receive a PDF copy my email, please email us at wrla@wrla.org

Register your people today!


Manual Estimating – Edmonton and Winnipeg
Plumbing and Electrical with Bob Sutherland – Calgary and Winnipeg
Retail Business Management Studies Program - Edmonton

CLICK HERE to view the full calendar and to register online

We wish to announce the departure of Steve Stremecki from TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. at the end of this month.

Since joining our company in 2004, Steve has worked in a number of key roles that were instrumental in growing the business. He has always ardently supported the entrepreneurial spirit and been an exceptional Ambassador for TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. After almost seven years, Steve is seizing an opportunity to become a TIM-BR MART Dealer and will join the Macey Group of stores in Ontario with an eye towards expansion, leveraging many of the programs he helped build.

We will not conduct a search for a replacement; rather the departments under Steve’s direction will shift to other Divisions. It is rewarding to see Steve move to the Dealer side of the business. On behalf of the corporate team and TIM-BR MART Dealers, I trust you will join us in wishing him all the best in his new venture.

Tim Urquhart
resident and CEO TIM-BR MARTS Ltd.

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – {September 2011) – It is official; TruServ Canada launched the first flier for the new banner, TRU Hardware, along with a new website.

TRU Hardware, as well as a building centre and country and garden format, was revealed at TruServ Canada's Spring Market in April. "Over the summer months the Company has been working with Independent Dealers, who were previously True Value, to convert their store to the new banner," explained Bill Morrison, President.

One of the first stores to convert was in Killarney, Manitoba. "We are getting positive feedback from our customers," said owner Shirley Highfield. The new look features prominent identification of the dealer's name or town. "It is a perfect retail look for a modern Canadian hardware store, adaptable to each dealer's needs," said Morrison. The dealers are proud of their community, and the new marketing will help celebrate that. "The new website, www.truhardware.ca, is a customer friendly site, featuring product search, store locator and easy to use viewer for fliers, as well as community stories.

The Company will continue to work with stores as they make the transition, and at the Fall Market October 1 to 3rd, will launch the TRU Building Centre concept.

Lora Deighton,
Communications Manager
Tel. 204.453.9526 Email ldeighton@truserv.ca  

VANCOUVER, Sept. 14, 2011 - It is with great pride and satisfaction that General Paint and Société Laurentide are joining their voices to announce a transaction agreement that welcomes Peinture Laurentide as a full member of the General Paint brand portfolio. By integrating Peinture Laurentide's current architectural coatings activities in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, this transaction will make General Paint a truly countrywide Canadian paint manufacturer.

"After more than three years of close collaboration with Peinture Laurentide's team for the distribution of its PARA Paints and Crown Diamond products in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, General Paint is enhancing its strategic position by becoming Canada's leading paint manufacturer," says Dale Constantinoff, President & CEO of General Paint, adding that "having multiple manufacturing and distribution facilities with a reputation for solid sales and service support, places us in a very good and competitive position for our brand portfolio now from coast to coast".

Both companies share similar cultural values and consider local operations vital for the strength of their businesses. This transaction will allow Quebec based Peinture Laurentide to maintain a competitive edge in the market, supported by a technological expertise of an international level.

"The future looks promising for Peinture Laurentide, an innovating company that is operating in the architectural coatings business for more than 55 years by manufacturing products renowned for their high quality," adds André Buisson, President & Chief Operating Officer of Société Laurentide.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Vancouver based company General Paint, considers this venture to be more than a symbolic action. By expanding its operations in a significant manner across all Canadian markets, a strong statement of Canadian unity is being made through the addition of this solid and authentic anchor in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, positioning General Paint as the number one paint company in Canada.

For further information:
Davis Kyle
Marketing VP - General Paint Corp.
(604)253-3131

To view our WRLA Education Calendar CLICK HERE

September 22, 2011 - 1:00pm - 2:00pm Eastern
Create a Trade Show Booth Webinar with Barry Siskind
Register at www.siskindtraining.com/webinars.php  or
http://www.businessexpertwebinars.com?afflink=bewbsiskind040208  
$99 per connection - Save 20% at checkout with this discount code: 47fbcda4

October 1. 2011
WRLA Scholarship Application deadline
www.wrla.org

October 1 - 3, 2011
TruServ Canada Fall Market
Winnipeg Convention Center, Winnipeg, MB
www.truserv.com

October 27-28, 2011
Hardlines Conference 2011
Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre
Toronto, ON
Contact: brady@hardlines.ca

October 29 - 30, 2011
Chalifour Fall Market
www.chalifourexpo.com
Place Bonaventure, Montreal, QC

November 2 - 6, 2011
Sexton Member Conference
San Diego, CA
www.sextongroup.com

November 17 - 18, 2012
New Canadian Home Improvement Show
Toronto Congress Centre
e-info@canadianhomeimprovementshow.com

November 24 - 26, 2011
RONA 2012 Spring Market
Le palais des Congress, Montreal PQ

January 18-20, 2012
2012 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon
ckelly@wrla.org

2011-2012 - WRLA DIRECTORY& Product Source Guide Changes

Also, you may cross-reference contact information using our online directory

ONLINE DIRECTORY LINK HERE

Page 78
Company NEW Owner and NEW Name
Old Name: Smith’s Lumber Yards Ltd.
New Name: Oxbow Building Supplies
Contact Name: Cory Mercer cory@oxbowbuildingsupplies.com
RONA (October 1, 2011)

Page 96
Company: Frobuild (2006) Ltd.
New Fax: 867-979-2052
Remove Email

Page 111
Drummond Metal Products
New Contact: Brant Danard
Email: brant.d@loxcreenflooring.com