It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Xavier Poncin, respected CAEM Director on July 27 at the age of 50.
Xavier first joined the trade show industry in France in 1997 before taking over the management of SIAL Canada in 2008, where he demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the organization’s mission, development, progress and growth.
In 2021, Xavier was appointed as a Director-at-Large on CAEM’s Board, following his appointment a year earlier in 2020 as President of APEQ (Association des professionnels en exposition du Québec). Through his exemplary engagement and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Xavier quickly became known to many in the industry as an incredibly considerate individual, who was particularly sensitive to the impacts of the crisis on businesses and professionals in our industry. Without hesitation he committed himself to representing the industry, and advocating for the sustainable reopening of the exhibition sector, significantly boosting both APEQ’s and CAEM’s influence with policy makers in Quebec.
Through his unwavering involvement and commitment Xavier was able to successfully rally together the Quebec exhibition industry during an incredibly challenging time. As such he quickly became a highly respected champion of our sector, always open to collaborating with partner associations and other like-minded leaders in the business events industry.
We offer our deepest condolences to his children, Valentine and Thomas, who lost their father much too soon. Your father was an incredibly caring, kindhearted, and honourable man, as well as a fighter, who never shied away from a challenge.
We are also keeping the SIAL Canada team in our thoughts, as Xavier brilliantly led the company for 14 years as General Manager. He was completely dedicated to the organization, caring immensely about its success, and above all adored the team he worked with.
Today, the entire exhibition industry is mourning our colleague and our friend. There is no doubt that Xavier will leave a great void within the exhibition industry in Quebec, Canada, France and elsewhere.
Xavier, we will miss you tremendously.
Board of Directors
Canadian Association of Exposition Management