FDFA turns 40 and celebrates advocacy efforts
FDFA’s 40th anniversary campaign is designed to engage its community, share the history of the association and spotlight the contributions of its industry leaders over the years
The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) is marking its 40th anniversary with intensified efforts to keep border communities at the forefront of public and legislative attention, according to Executive Director Barbara Barrett. This renewed emphasis has already yielded tangible results.
Legislative breakthroughs
FDFA achieved a major victory in its advocacy efforts. “Just before the House rose for the summer, the Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) unanimously passed and adopted a motion recognizing duty free stores as export businesses and further agreed to study the issue and provide a recommendation going forward,” says Barrett.
The association’s recent successes also include coordinating a Border MP caucus meeting in late 2023, which sparked ongoing discussions among Members of Parliament from border constituencies.
“These MPs have taken ownership of the issues and are continuously meeting to address and advocate for border-related matters at the federal level. FDFA’s ongoing participation in these meetings ensures that the voice of our industry is heard and considered in legislative discussions,” she explains. Looking ahead, FDFA plans to build on this momentum with additional roundtable discussions and forums with key policymakers.
Barbara Barrett, Executive Director, Frontier Duty Free Association
Strategic partnerships
The association has been actively forming alliances with local chambers of commerce, tourism boards and Destination Canada. These partnerships aim to amplify FDFA’s advocacy efforts and ensure policymakers pay attention to border community issues.
Simultaneously, FDFA has launched public awareness campaigns to educate both the public and decision-makers about the economic and social importance of border communities and the duty free industry’s role in their vitality.
Recognizing the power of concrete evidence, FDFA has invested in research to quantify the duty free industry’s economic impact on border communities. “This data has been crucial in making a compelling case to legislators and the public about the need to support policies that benefit border regions,” notes Barrett.
Anniversary convention
As FDFA prepares for its 40th anniversary convention in November, the association is launching a comprehensive social media campaign.
“This campaign is designed to engage our community, share our history, and spotlight the significant contributions of our founders and industry leaders over the years,” Barrett says. “Through a mix of historical retrospectives, member spotlights and interactive content, we are connecting with our audience and building excitement for the upcoming convention.”
The November convention will serve as the centerpiece of the anniversary celebrations, featuring special recognition for FDFA founders and industry contributors, along with networking opportunities for members.
