THANK YOU to all Members, vendor partners, sponsors, speakers, and guests who helped make MEGA HUB 2026 one of the most successful conventions in Mega Group’s history.
From June 18–20, Montréal’s Hôtel Bonaventure welcomed a record number of attendees for three memorable days dedicated to learning, collaboration, innovation, and business growth. The excitement reached new heights with a record turnout at the inaugural MEGA Hub Fest, a completely sold-out exhibition floor, and exceptional participation from Members and vendor partners across the country.
Throughout the event, Members had access to outstanding value through exclusive Stampede Offers and convention promotions from our vendor partners, creating significant opportunities to strengthen
their businesses and drive future success.
CEO Opening Remarks, Ovation Award & Hall of Fame
The convention officially began with welcoming remarks from Chris West, President and CEO of Mega Group, who shared his perspective on the opportunities ahead for independent retailers and the importance of continuing to innovate, adapt, and grow together in an evolving marketplace. During the opening session, attendees also celebrated two very special recognitions.
Ovation Award
The 2026 Ovation Award was presented to Shelly Gale of Gabriele Floor & Home Furnishings (Leamington, Ontario). This award recognizes individuals whose resilience, leadership, achievements, and contributions have made a meaningful impact on both their businesses and communities. Shelly’s dedication, determination, and commitment to creating opportunities for others embody the true spirit of the award.
Hall of Fame
The Mega Hall of Fame has become one of the most anticipated moments of the Convention. This year, we proudly inducted Otto Papasadero, former CEO of Mega Group, into this distinguished circle. Otto’s vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment played a significant role in shaping Mega’s growth and success over many years.
His dedication to supporting Members and strengthening the organization has left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire our network today.
Learning from Champions and Industry Experts
A key focus of MEGA HUB 2026 was helping Members gain new ideas, practical tools, and fresh perspectives to strengthen their businesses.
Attendees were inspired by Olympic gold medalist Bruny Surin, whose keynote presentation on building high-performing teams delivered powerful lessons on leadership, trust, resilience, and the importance of working together to achieve shared goals. Drawing from his journey to Olympic success, Bruny challenged attendees to embrace teamwork, stay focused on their goals, and continuously strive for excellence.
Throughout the day, Members participated in a series of masterclasses led by industry experts. François Boisvert from AVB explored strategies for driving e-commerce growth and maximizing online opportunities for independent retailers.
Albert Marrache from Phoenix shared valuable perspectives on industry partnerships and the importance of collaboration in an increasingly competitive market, while Pier-Hugo Binette provided insights into the latest trends and developments shaping the appliance industry.
Jean-Sébastien Calci highlighted how accessibility can create better customer experiences while opening new opportunities for business growth.
Kevin Leier focused on the importance of measuring key business indicators and understanding where additional profitability can be unlocked within a business.
The day concluded with an engaging presentation from colour expert Marie-Chantal Milette, who demonstrated how colour influences customer behaviour in retail environments. Through practical examples, she showed how colours can encourage purchasing decisions, create emotional connections with shoppers, or even create hesitation—providing valuable insights into how store design can impact the customer experience.
Member Huddles & Expert Insights
In addition to the educational sessions, Members had the opportunity to participate in personalized one-on-one Meet with the Experts consultations, allowing them to discuss specific business challenges and opportunities with industry specialists.
Member Huddle sessions remain one of the most popular parts of the conference experience. They provide a unique opportunity for Members to connect with their peers, exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing independent retailers today.
These candid conversations foster meaningful relationships and practical learning, allowing Members to benefit from the collective knowledge of the group. The Huddles continue to showcase one of Mega Group’s greatest strengths: a collaborative community of independent retailers who are committed to supporting one another, learning together, and growing stronger as a network.
Mega Hub Fest: Celebrating Connections and Montreal
Following a full day of learning and collaboration, attendees gathered for the inaugural MEGA Hub Fest—an evening designed not only to celebrate our industry but also to pay tribute to our host city, Montréal.
Inspired by the city’s renowned festival culture, the name Hub Fest reflected the energy, creativity, and sense of community that Montréal is known for around the world. Members, suppliers, and partners came together in a lively atmosphere filled with networking, entertainment, and celebration.
The evening also offered attendees a taste of Montréal’s rich culinary culture. Food stations highlighted local flavours and traditions, with a few unmistakable Montréal favourites making a special appearance—a friendly nod to the city with classic poutine and iconic Montréal smoked meat.
The excitement and enthusiasm throughout the evening reflected what makes the Mega community unique: strong partnerships, lasting friendships, and a shared commitment to success.
In true Montréal fashion, it was a memorable celebration of people, culture, and community.
Showroom & Stampede: Innovation on Display
Saturday began with the highly anticipated Stampede Offers presentation. Marie-Soleil Calvert Executive Vice-President of Retail Services at Mega Group, unveiled this year’s exclusive Stampede Offers,
providing Members with valuable buying opportunities and promotional programs designed to support their success.
The excitement continued as the doors opened to more than 27,000 square feet of exhibition space featuring 54 vendor partners from across the furniture, bedding, and appliance categories. The showroom quickly came alive as Members explored new products, discovered emerging trends, and connected with suppliers showcasing their latest innovations and convention offers.
The energy on the exhibition floor demonstrated the strength of the partnerships that continue to drive our industry forward and create value for Members across the country.
Recognizing Outstanding Vendor Partners
A highlight of the exhibition day was the presentation of the Vendor of the Year Awards, recognizing supplier partners who consistently demonstrate outstanding commitment, innovation, and support for Mega Members.
Congratulations to our 2026 Vendors of the Year:
- Elran– Furniture Vendor of the Year
- SSB– Bedding Vendor of the Year
- LG Electronics– Appliance Vendor of the Year
We thank these exceptional partners for their continued collaboration and contribution to the success of our Members across Canada.
Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities
One of the most meaningful moments of the convention was our charitable partnership with Tempur + Sealy.
Together, we proudly presented a donation of $29,140 to Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, helping families stay close to their children while receiving medical care.
This contribution reflects the generosity of our members, vendors, and partners and demonstrates our shared commitment to making a positive impact beyond our industry.
Building on the Momentum
MEGA HUB 2026 was more than a convention—it was a celebration of learning, collaboration, innovation, and community.
Thank you to our members, vendor partners, sponsors, speakers, and organizing team for making this event such a success.
Together, we continue to build stronger businesses, stronger partnerships, and a stronger future.
For any information about the convention, you can write to convention@megagroup.ca