By Andy Slawetsky – Over 100 delegates from Canon USA‘s extensive dealer network across Latin America and the Caribbean convened at the Hard Rock Hotel in Cabo San Lucas from March 10 to 14, engaging with Canon USA executives, who made the journey from their Melville, NY headquarters.
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The started on a balmy Sunday evening with a welcome reception at sunset. It was a beautiful backdrop as old friends reconnected and attendees networked with Canon executives and employees.
Andy Ikeda, President and CEO of Canon Mexicana and Canon Panama, opened the proceedings the following morning with a commitment to growth and to customer satisfaction.
Jerry Matsufuji, VP & GM Marketing, Business Information Communications Group discussed Canon USA’s organizational hierarchy and focused on their financial achievements, particularly the (modest) year-over-year increase in revenue—a promising note given the industry’s competitive climate. Matsufuji’s spotlight on printing, nearly 60% of Canon’s revenue, reassured attendees of Canon’s dedication to a market that remains a stronghold, despite shifting industry landscapes.
I then had the privilege to address the audience, delivering an industry overview discussing current trends and updates about ‘What’s Happenin‘, with each of the A3 and A4 office equipment manufactures.
Mike Aoki of Canon USA’s Latin America Division presented a detailed analysis of the performance in key areas like Large Format, Production, and Office MFP, illustrating growth in sectors generally perceived as contracting.
Monica Gonzalez of Canon Mexicana offered insights into critical areas like AI and cybersecurity, alongside Canon’s proprietary offerings like uniFLOW Online print management and the Therefore software suite. The conversation on innovation continued with Theo Taguchi, detailing the BICG strategy and sales initiatives like Canon’s “3 Heros and Beyond.”
The hybrid workplace, an increasingly prevalent model across Latin America, was addressed by Brad Saji, who outlined Canon’s holistic solutions that cater to remote work dynamics. Saji highlighted Latin America’s swift adaptation to hybrid environments and Canon’s recognition by industry authorities, affirming the company’s prominence in the sector.
Operational excellence and customer service took center stage with Matt Baroletti, who talked about enhancements that have fortified Canon’s manufacturing processes and service reliability.
Matt has recently appeared on an episode of What’s Happenin’ seen below.
Melissa Bowman then followed suit, showcasing Canon’s marketing programs, the portals available to attendees and the accolades received for reliability and innovation from BLI.
Roger Najira capped the morning sessions, rallying the dealers with a vision of limitless possibilities, leading into an interactive product demonstration that allowed hands-on experience with Canon’s diverse portfolio.
The ensuing days were packed with strategic one-on-one meetings, leisure activities, and networking opportunities, culminating in a cultural immersion with local flavors and a farewell dinner. The event was a microcosm of Canon’s commitment to its dealers, nurturing a community poised for growth and equipped to meet the evolving demands of the office equipment industry.
SOURCE Industry Analysts Inc.
