Conference brings suppliers and dealers together at Centre des congrès
The second edition of RONA Momentum took place at Quebec City’s Centre des congrès on Oct. 14 and 15, attracting industry representatives from across the country and highlighting the city’s role as a hub for home-improvement trade gatherings. The event drew roughly 1,700 attendees and hosted 220 exhibitors, according to materials distributed by the organiser.
“RONA inc. hosted its RONA Momentum event on Oct. 14 and 15 at Quebec City’s Centre des congrès,”
The two-day programme combined product demonstrations, networking opportunities and vendor displays with two gala evenings on Oct. 15 to recognise outstanding affiliate dealers and vendor partners. For Quebec City, which regularly accommodates trade conferences and tourism tied to such events, Momentum reinforced the city’s continued attraction for sectoral meetings outside traditional tourism seasons.
Local economic and industry context
Conferences like RONA Momentum tend to produce short-term economic activity for hotels, restaurants and taxi or ride-hailing services, while strengthening ties between local retailers and national suppliers. The presence of 220 exhibitors brought a wide selection of product lines and supplier services into one venue, allowing smaller independent dealers to evaluate new offerings and negotiate supply relationships in person.
Although the organiser did not publish a detailed breakdown of visitor origin, the mix of exhibitors and attendees typical of these gatherings includes corporate buyers, independent affiliate dealers and representatives of supplier firms, many of whom stay in downtown hotels and dine in local establishments during the event. City officials and hospitality operators often point to conferences such as Momentum as contributors to off-peak revenue.
What was on display and why it matters
RONA Momentum’s combination of exhibition space and awards ceremonies serves two purposes for the chain and its affiliates: facilitating product discovery and recognising performance among the network’s independent dealers. For smaller operators, meeting multiple vendors in a concentrated setting reduces procurement costs and shortens decision cycles. For suppliers, the event provides direct access to frontline dealers and the chance to collect immediate feedback.
- Dates: Oct. 14–15
- Attendees: ~1,700
- Exhibitors: 220
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Attendees | 1,700 |
| Exhibitors | 220 |
| Location | Centre des congrès, Quebec City |
Implications for Quebec City and the retail network
For the local economy, the event reaffirms Quebec City’s draw for national-level retail and trade meetings. Hotels and service providers benefit directly from overnight stays and hospitality spending, while the city gains visibility among industry stakeholders who may return for future events or business activity.
Within the RONA network, Momentum’s awards galas can influence brand perception and supplier relationships. Recognition at a nationally visible event can strengthen a dealer’s profile among customers and vendors, potentially affecting stocking choices and marketing locally in subsequent months.
As retail and distribution chains continue to adapt to changing consumer habits and supply-chain pressures, in-person events remain an important forum for relationship-building and product evaluation. The turnout at Quebec City’s Centre des congrès suggests those functions remain valued by both dealers and suppliers.
Organisers and local partners have not released a full post-event summary beyond attendance and exhibitor figures. Future editions of RONA Momentum may provide more detailed economic impact data, including origin of attendees and estimated spending in the host city.
