TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - December 21, 2016) - Nominated by Canadian retailers, the 2016 Sales Representative of the Year recognizes the most passionate and dedicated sales reps. The 2016 winners are Frances Windsor Hicks, in the corporate category, and Larry Deszcz, in the independent category.
Honourable mentions for the 2016 Sales Rep of the Year go to Karen McElwain (corporate), Ann Courchesne (independent) and Gord Gallant (independent). All winners will be officially awarded at the Salute to Excellence Awards Reception hosted by celebrity designer duo, Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander, at the Spring 2017 Toronto Gift Fair on Sunday, January 29, 2017.
Frances Windsor Hicks has been in the gift industry for over 23 years. Straight out of college, she started as an assistant and showroom coordinator before moving to London for a sales position. Next year will mark Frances' 20th anniversary with Bella Flor, a Canadian company specializing in trendy stationery, greeting cards and gifts. She currently covers the Southwestern Ontario and Niagara regions.
The highlight of her job is getting to meet and work alongside so many wonderful customers that she also considers friends. She enjoys working with the whole team at Bella Flor, and looks forward to many more years together.
"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice," is a favourite quote of Frances'. "My belief is to treat people the way you want to be treated -- so, be kind, be thoughtful, be genuine and most of all, be thankful. I want to say a great big thank you to all my long time customers for this award and honour."
Larry Deszcz, from Ottawa, Ontario, previously accepted the Independent Sales Representative of the Year Award in 2013. Larry transitioned from a career as a fulltime musician and has not looked back. He has been in the Canadian gift industry for 31 years and represents lines from wholesale suppliers including Attitudes Import, Splash International, Pavilion Gift and T-Zone Health.
He has been married to his wife and partner, Lorrain, for 34 years and has three children, who he is happy to say are all out in the world making positive contributions.
"I am very honoured and humbled to win this award again," says Larry. "My goal is and always has been to form a three-way partnership with my fantastic customers and our incredible suppliers. I always treat them with the utmost love and respect. I can't thank them enough and I look forward to many more years of working together."
2016 winners in other categories include:
- Retailer of the Year: Pharmasave Broadmead #232
- Retailer of Distinction: Twisted Tree Nipawin Florist Inc.
- Retailer of Distinction: Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre Ltd.
- Supplier of the Year (Large): Giftcraft Ltd.
- Supplier of the Year (Medium): Grand International Trading
- Supplier of the Year (Small): House of Koopslie
- Supplier of the Year Honourable Mention (Large): Splash International Marketing Inc.
- Supplier of the Year Honourable Mention (Medium): North American Country Home
- Supplier of the Year Honourable Mention (Small): Timbers
About the Canadian Gift Association
CanGift is a national not-for-profit association dedicated to improving competitive capabilities and business effectiveness by giving suppliers and retailers opportunities to interact in Canada's $10 billion giftware industry. CanGift owns the Toronto, Alberta and Quebec Gift Fairs. For more information or to preview new and creative product, please visit cangift.org.
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Contact Information:
MEDIA CONTACT
Laura Bennett
Communications Specialist
416.642.1032
lbennett@cangift.org
