An annual general meeting marking the 15th anniversary

On November 3, Vestechpro held its annual general meeting, which brought together partners, clients, Center employees, and key figures from the fashion and apparel industry in a warm and festive atmosphere. This year’s event was particularly significant, as it marked Vestechpro’s 15th anniversary.

The Annual General Meeting

Chaired by Dany Mercier, Executive Director of Cégep Marie-Victorin, the meeting provided an opportunity to review the past year’s achievements—notably through the presentation of the annual report—and to share the Center’s outlook for 2026–2027. This meeting also marked a milestone in the composition of the Board of Directors. The Center extended its warmest thanks to the outgoing board members—Daniel Poirier, Evna Sévigny, and Karen Tagliani—for their dedication and valuable contributions to the development of Vestechpro.Vestechpro then welcomed two newly elected members to the board of directors: Dany Charest, Executive Director of TechniTextile Québec, and Nathalie Maillé, Director of the Project Office at Spark Factory. It is a great privilege to be able to count on their expertise and insights to guide the Center’s next stages of development.

Two roundtable discussions to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the sectorThe program then gave way to two panel discussions bringing together experts from the fields of education, research, and industry. These fruitful exchanges allowed for the sharing of diverse perspectives and concrete experiences.

The first roundtable, titled “Training the Next Generation in Fashion and Apparel in an Era of Industry Transformation: A Quebec-France Perspective,” explored the changes affecting professions and skills, as well as the new approaches needed to prepare the next generation.

The discussions brought together:

• Andrée-Anne Lemieux, Ph.D., director of the IFM-Kering Chair in Sustainability and professor at the Institut Français de la Mode (Paris);
• Richard Fontaine, Ph.D., FCPA, Director of the École supérieure de mode ESG UQAM (Montreal);
• Paulette Kaci, Executive Director of Vestechpro, Cégep Marie-Victorin (Montreal).

This roundtable discussion was moderated by Madeleine Goubau, Ph.D., Senior Advisor for External Communications at Renaissance.

The second roundtable, “Research, Innovation, and Training to Address Challenges in the Fashion and Apparel Industry,” highlighted how collaboration between companies and innovation stakeholders can help address the sector’s challenges.

Using concrete examples drawn from their respective experiences, the panelists illustrated the role of research, innovation, and training in the evolution of business practices.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Audrey Aupin, Manager, Design & Field Testing Team, Logistik Unicorp;
• Vanessa Lafond, Director of Costume Operations, Cirque du Soleil;
• Marion Zech, Innovation and Sustainability Manager, Renaissance.

A big thank you also to Dany Charest, Executive Director of TechniTextile Québec, who moderated this roundtable discussion and fostered dynamic and inspiring exchanges.

15 Years of vision, commitment, and collaboration

This general meeting held special significance, as it also marked Paulette Kaci’s 15th anniversary as Executive Director of Vestechpro.

A special tribute allowed the entire team to highlight her dedication, leadership, and collaborative spirit, which, over the years, have helped the Center grow, strengthen its position, and establish itself as a recognized leader in research and innovation within the fashion and apparel industry.

The evening then continued in a friendly atmosphere with a cocktail reception, offering attendees the opportunity to continue their conversations and celebrate together. An exhibition featuring several panels highlighting Vestechpro’s achievements and key moments in its history also provided a chance to reflect on the journey taken over the past 15 years.

Thank you to everyone who attended, to our panelists, our partners, and our members for contributing to the success of this event. These past 15 years are a testament to the strength of the collaborations that drive our industry forward. It is with the same enthusiasm and the same commitment to working together that we will continue our mission: to imagine and create the fashion and apparel of tomorrow!