The 2025 Congress, held on February 18, 19, and 20 at the Entourage Hotel on Lac Beauport, was a memorable occasion to celebrate the achievements and commitment of our cooperative members. Each of the Quercus Award recipients was highlighted for their dedication, leadership, and role in building a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Here’s a look back at the highlights of this event and the businesses that stood out this year.

Coopérative of the year: Maxime Proulx

This year, we proudly awarded the Coopérative of the Year title to Maxime Proulx. For nearly 10 years, Maxime has embodied the core values of our cooperative: commitment, generosity, and a spirit of collaboration. His expertise, combined with his sincerity and kindness, has made him an inspirational figure for all of our members. A huge thank you to him for his ability to unite and grow our Coop.

Young entrepreneurs: Mary-Lou Paquette, Valérie, Samuel, and Francis Charbonneau

The Quercus Young Entrepreneur award went to dynamic and innovative entrepreneurs. Mary-Lou Paquette as well as Valérie, Samuel, and Francis Charbonneau from Charbonneau l’Expert were recognized for their commitment to sharing innovative ideas within their business and the industry. Their forward-thinking approach is a model of what youth brings to our cooperative. A special shout-out to their parents, who rightly take pride in seeing them earn this well-deserved distinction.

Sustainable Development: Catherine and Dominique Filion

The Quercus Sustainable Development award was presented to Services Paysagers Dominique Filion. Catherine and Dominique Filion stand out for their commitment to placing people at the heart of their actions. From art to music, sports to family well-being, their business supports numerous community initiatives and offers an inclusive work environment with competitive salaries, training, and flexible schedules. Their efforts are a model of sustainable commitment and deserve to be celebrated.

Quercus Awards: Celebrating Cooperative Membership

The Quercus Awards: Cooperative Membership are also presented to businesses that have significantly contributed to our 2024 sales volume. These businesses have made a point of prioritizing the purchase of products from accredited Groupex suppliers, thus helping to grow our cooperative.

Landscaping Sector:
1st place: Construction Prodeck
2nd place: Martel Paysagiste

Garden Center Sector:
1st place: Les Serres Dame Nature
2nd place: Les Serres Arundel

Landscaping and Garden Center Sector
1st place: Horti-Plus
2nd place: Ferme horticole Lajoie

Maître Paysagiste: Excellence in Service Quality

Certified Maître Paysagiste businesses underwent a rigorous evaluation this year to maintain this distinction. Martel Paysagiste was crowned Maître Paysagiste of the Year, while Les Serres Laliberté Paysagiste took 1st place in the Qualimaître Customer Service Quality category. Dubois Aménagement was recognized for their best progression.

Tribute to a Builder: Jean-Pierre Rodier

The Jean-Pierre Rodier Award, newly introduced this year, was presented to a member whose exemplary commitment has marked the history of our cooperative. After 38 years of dedication to Groupex, Jean-Pierre Rodier received this unique award. This emotional tribute was made possible thanks to the remarkable work of Mr. Sylvain Chartrand and Mrs. Sylvie Primeau, who paid sincere and heartfelt homage to Mr. Rodier.

These distinctions not only highlight the commitment of the cooperative’s members but also the strength of the relationships that unite our stakeholders under a common vision: a sustainable and collaborative ecosystem. We congratulate all the award winners and thank them for their exceptional work. Together, we continue to build a stronger, greener, and more united industry.