FDFA 2024: FDFA turns 40, highlights the value of resiliency
Pictured here at the opening cocktail [L-R]: FDFA Secretary Kyle Hiebert; FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett; Bob Bailey, Ontario MPP of Sarnia-Lambton; FDFA President Tania Lee
Frontier Duty Free Association’s (FDFA) turns 40 this year, marking four decades of advocating for the duty free industry in Canada. To kick off its 40th anniversary celebrations, the association launched an extensive social media campaign earlier this year, which was designed to engage its community, share its history and spotlight the contributions of its founders and industy leaders over the years.
This week (November 18-21), the annual FDFA Convention took place at The Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto, Canada. According to FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett, it served as the pinnacle event of the association’s anniversary celebrations.
The theme of this year’s show “Celebrating 40 Years of Growing Together,” was supported throughout the week through a range of activities including operator and supplier meetings, trade floor exhibitions, group presentations and networking events. Additionally, attendees of the intimate and community-oriented show were invited to join in social experiences such as a craft spirits tasting and hospitality lounge.
Global Travel Retail Magazine's Laura Shirk sat down with Barrett for an association update; the Executive Director elaborated on the recent passing of a motion that recognizes duty free stores as export businesses
Global Travel Retail Magazine sat down with FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett for an association update and show overview. Barrett elaborated on FDFA’s second half, which prioritized enhanced legislative engagement, expansion of public awareness efforts and membership engagement. Along with duty free’s position as an integral part of the growing tourism sector in Canada, we discussed FDFA’s ongoing advocacy and partnership work.
Barrett elaborated on the recent passing of a motion that recognizes duty free stores as export businesses and demonstrates growing support within the government of FDFA’s position. This directive, which passed unanimously among the Canadian International Trade Committee and requested the government to uniformly reclassify travel retail shops, “aligns the treatment of duty free stores with their operational realities and ensures they are not unfairly burdened by domestic policies.”
However, according to Barrett, the government did not respond in a fulsome way and there is still work to be done. “We need to continue to work with the Canadian International Trade Committee and see if we can get it back on the agenda. Having an understanding with all government departments that duty free is an export industry is paramount for the protection of our industry,” she said.
Although attendance at the convention (including 46 supplier companies and 94 supplier delegates) is lower than in past years, it’s important to note recovery has been especially slow in the western and eastern parts of Canada. The pandemic has changed traveler’s habits; this is evident in different regions and at different entry points. FDFA is consistently in talks with both industry partners and champions about developing a more holistic approach to increasing traffic at the border.
Speaking about her leadership role, Barrett shared, “It’s about the folks that have been in the industry since the beginning and many of them are still here – if not them, then their families. They have built a real community. Everyone comes to this convention and says it’s like a family reunion – and it really is. I feel honored to be part of it.”
See highlights from the convention below:
Stan Cho, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, addressed the crowd at the opening cocktail
Following brief welcoming remarks from Blue Water Bridge Duty Free's Tania Lee & FDFA President, Bob Bailey, Ontario MPP of Sarnia-Lambton and Stan Cho, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, addressed the crowd at the opening cocktail.
Bailey shared a message of congratulations from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, which read in part:
“For four decades, the FDFA has worked hard to support and advocate for Canada’s duty free shops and to build a vibrant and competitive Canadian land border duty free industry. As locally owned and operated private businesses, land border duty free shops generate significant local employment and contribute to dynamic local economies in some of the most remote rural communities in Canada.
“Our government will continue to work with local communities and businesses to build a strong, resilient provincial economy, now and in the future.”
Pictured here at the Women in Travel Retail+ reception [L-R]: FDFA President Tania Lee; Heather Howard, Owner at 1,000 Islands Duty Free; Alex DeBellis, VP Sales & Marketing at Beler Holdings Inc.; Michael Pasternack, Executive Editor at Travel Markets Insider; FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett; Sherri Gidney, Sales Director at Wine Classics International
A highlight of day two, Beler Holdings Inc. hosted the Women in Travel Retail+ reception. The well-attended event featured networking opportunities, drinks and appetizers and a charity raffle on behalf of the Missing Children Society of Canada.
New to the 2024 FDFA Gold Standard Awards was the “Trailblazing Woman of Influence” award, which celebrates outstanding women in leadership. Each of the women nominees (listed below) was recognized at the reception with a congratulatory message from Stan Cho.
Heather Howard, Owner at 1000 Islands Duty Free Store
Alex DeBellis, VP Sales & Marketing at Beler Holdings Inc.
Lois Pasternack, Editor & Publisher at Travel Markets Insider (represented at the show by TMI Executive Editor Michael Pasternack)
Heather Howard, Owner at 1000 Islands Duty Free Store, accepted her award for "Trailblazing Woman of Influence" at the 2024 FDFA Gold Standard Awards
Howard won the category on the following night.
Tania Lee and Barbara Barrett presented Michael Resch with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Gold Standard Awards; Resch received the first Canadian land border duty free license in 1982
On Wednesday evening, the 2024 Gold Standard Awards recipients were announced at a gala dinner. A long-standing tradition, the 2024 Gold Standard Awards honor the dedication and achievements across Canada’s duty free industry.
Michael Resch was presented with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Resch received the first Canadian land border duty free license in 1982.
Also, new this year was the “Rising Star of the Year” Award, which recognizes promising talent. Paul Lafleur-Woods at ARI North America took home this title.
Reflecting on the association’s four-decade journey, Barrett said, “This year’s celebration is special as we recognize 40 years of shared growth and success. Our industry is in great hands, with leaders dedicated to shaping the future of duty free in Canada.”
Special congratulations to Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free and Distribution Fontaine Inc. on repeat wins.
See here for a full list of winners.
See more photos of the convention below (including from the trade show floor):
