Each year, the Canadian Gift Association sponsors scholarship awards to support talented youth envisioning a bright future in the gift industry.

SHERIDAN COLLEGE HAZEL MCCALLION CAMPUS

CanGift maintains a long-standing relationship with Sheridan College, specifically its Visual Merchandising Arts Program. The college’s awards evening “The Brand X 9 Rewind” took place on April 18. This year the Association supported the academic achievements of the course’s first and second year students (2017/2018) with first-place and second-place scholarships. The Association also sponsored the “Branded Trade Show Design and Scale Model” program which provides each participating student with an awarded amount to assist with purchasing materials to complete their projects. The Toronto Gift Fair’s show managers adjudicated the projects and the winning models. The 2018 winning scale model booths will be featured at the Fall 2018 Toronto Gift Fair in Hall 8.

Earlier this year, 30 students connected with 40 exhibitors at the Spring 2018 Toronto Gift Fair to assist the exhibitors with merchandising their booths during show set-up. Additionally, three students volunteered their time to judge the Best Booth Awards at the Toronto Gift Fair.

CONESTOGA COLLEGE KITCHENER

This year, a new relationship was established with Conestoga College and its Visual Merchandising Arts Program. CanGift’s grant was used toward the “Excellence in Trade Show Design” award, which recognizes students who have designed and constructed an industry level trade show. Their year-end awards evening “Creative Roots” took place on April 12. The Toronto Gift Fair’s show managers assisted with the judging. The winning displays will be featured at the Fall 2018 Toronto Gift Fair in Hall 8.

Students from the college also participated in the Spring 2018 Toronto Gift Fair helping set-up product displays throughout the show.