CSC Update: February
CSC Update is a regular communication from Campus Stores Canada to keep members informed of industry updates and CSC’s current projects and initiatives.
IN THIS ISSUE:
What’s ahead:
February 27 at 12:00 PM ET
March 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET
April 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET
Conference Wrap-Up: More Than Just Numbers (But We Love Numbers Too!)
If you weren't at the Falls for this year's conference, you missed quite the show! We packed 69 exhibitors (yes, really) and welcomed 121 delegates for three days of learning, connecting, and more than 20 sessions! And we did it! You did it!
We witnessed the true spirit of campus retail come alive. Whether it was watching partners try not to speak during Speed Pitch transitions, or seeing the genuine excitement, every moment reminded us why we do what we do.
Welcome to the Family!
Speaking of our amazing community, let's give a warm welcome to our newest CSC partners:
Creative Knitwear
Hides Leather
HipSwan
JCWG
Lubertex
MarsQuest
MartiniVispak
Momentec
Outset Media
PKG
Staedtler MarsSuperSlides
SomCan
Shoes for Crews
Tentree
DU/ER
WaterH
Zueike
That's 21 new partners joining our community! And a special shoutout to BMF, Nellie's Clean, and Grab & Go Plus who've also just joined our family. And of course, a huge thank you to all our returning partners who continue to support independent campus retail across Canada..
THANKS SPONSORS
Relive the Magic!
We've put together a massive photo album from the conference that captures all those magical moments. Check it out on Google Photos relive those moments when you thought no one was watching!
Conference 2026: The Return to the Falls!
Mark your calendars now: January 26-29, 2026, we're heading back to the Sheraton Fallsview! Same great venue, same great views, probably the same jokes from Greg (but we love them anyway).
Want to help shape next year's conference? We're looking for volunteers to join our planning committees! Whether you've got fresh ideas for sessions, strong opinions about scheduling, or just want to be part of making the magic happen, we want to hear from you. Contact Greg at greg@campusstores.ca to get involved.
And speaking of feedback - we're putting the finishing touches on our conference feedback form. Your insights are crucial for making next year's event even better, so keep an eye on Circle for the link!
CIRCLE: NOW OPEN TO ALL!*
Remember when Circle was just for conference attendees? Well, those days are gone! We've opened up our digital community hub to everyone in the CSC family. If you haven't joined yet, what are you waiting for? It's where all the cool cats and hot dogs hang out.
What is Campus Stores Circle?
A centralized community platform to connect with peers nationwide
A space to learn, share insights, and stay current with industry trends
An opportunity to expand your professional network across Canada
Key Features:
Seamless networking capabilities
Easy access via mobile apps (available on Android and iOS)
Complementary to our existing Google Workspace tools
Designed for efficient information sharing
Personalized Notifications: Take control of your Circle experience! When you log in, you can easily customize your notification settings. Choose how and when you want to receive updates - ensuring you stay informed without being overwhelmed.
The Weekly Wrap Up: Every Thursday morning, you'll receive a personalized Weekly Wrap Up. This isn't just any newsletter - it's an algorithmically curated digest tailored specifically to you. The more you interact with topics and content, the more refined your Weekly Wrap Up becomes. It's your guaranteed way to:
Never miss important industry insights
Stay connected with peer conversations
Catch the latest updates from campus stores across Canada
Stay connected. Stay informed.
Circle is open to all members in good standing of Campus Stores Canada. Don’t have access? Contact Steve.
Member and Industry News
This section of our CSC Update is a place where we can share your news. Share with us information including who is retiring from your store, who is new to your store, what is happening in the industry, share an interesting article you think other members should see. Please email greg@campusstores.ca information you would like highlighted in our next CSC Update.
A bittersweet goodbye
This newsletter marks the end of an era - our final website newsletter. But don't worry! We're not going anywhere; we're just moving our updates to where you already are: Circle. It's all part of our mission to make connecting with CSC as seamless as possible (and to save Steve from maintaining yet another platform - he says you're welcome).
New Partner: Nellie’s Clean
A cleaner tomorrow starts with Nellie's today!
Nellie’s strives to make planet friendly, simple, and honest products for the whole home. Proudly Canadian made.
hipSwan: Group buy - Deadline March 31
If you are interested in getting more details about how to save on hipSwan customized socks you should get in contact with Peter
New Partner GRAB & GO Plus
We are excited to introduce Grab & Go PLUS, your go-to solution for prepaid travel eSIM and SIM cards. Our mission is to keep students, faculty, and travelers connected affordably and seamlessly, whether they are studying abroad, traveling for research, exploring new destinations or simply looking for a way to stay in communication with friends and family.
Grab & Go PLUS specializes in prepaid voice and data eSIM and SIM cards that offer reliable, cost-effective connectivity without the hassle of contracts or surprise roaming fees. Our SIM cards are perfect for international students arriving in Canada, local students traveling abroad, and faculty or staff who frequently travel for academic conferences. With simple activation and flexible 30-day plans, we ensure hassle-free communication wherever their journey takes them.
By offering Grab & Go PLUS SIM cards in your campus store, you’ll provide students with a practical, in-demand solution that provides voice AND data, while generating additional revenue for your store. Our products are easy to stock, require minimal shelf space, and provide great value to the student community.
We’re thrilled to be part of Campus Stores Canada and look forward to building strong partnerships with each of you. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, we’d love to connect. Thank you for the opportunity—we’re excited to work together and contribute to your students’ success
Looking forward to meeting everyone and growing together. Contact us for some samples and how to get started today.
The Grab & Go PLUS Team
Happy to Help!
If you have any questions, need support, or are interested in becoming more involved with CSC, you can email me at greg@campusstores.ca
or call me at 1 (888) 288-4044.