A group of Canada’s businesses most impacted by COVID-19, which joined forces to help save two million Canadian jobs, received a positive response from the government. Last week the Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses (CHHB)—of which the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) is a member — launched a campaign calling on the federal government to extend the […]
FDFA
Status of Canadian border stores after closing of border with U.S.
The U.S. and Canadian governments agreed to close their shared border to non-essential traffic on Wednesday, March 18. While some stores that serve commercial trucks carrying essential goods have remained open, most others have closed. Barbara Barrett, Executive Director of Canada’s Frontier Duty Free Association confirmed to TMI that CBSA (the Canada Border Services Agency) […]
Frontier Duty Free Association unveils 2019 Gold Standard winners
The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) held the 2019 Gold Standard Awards at the Imperial Gala on November 13, in Toronto, during the annual FDFA Convention. For over two decades, the FDFA has selected winners for the 14 unique Gold Standards awards, to showcase the best in Canadian Duty Free. The awards honor products, suppliers, […]
Frontier Duty Free Association prepares to work with new Canadian government as 2019 Convention convenes
Convention highlights Reporting that attendance at the 2019 FDFA Convention was up, with more than 230 people in attendance, Frontier Duty Free Association Executive Director Barbara Barrett told TMI that the goal is for everyone to have “meaningful connections.” “Suppliers, buyers and owners are all busy in meetings, doing business,” she said about the annual […]
Frontier Duty Free Association unveils 2019 Gold Standard Award finalists
The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), has announced the finalists for the 2019 Gold Standard Awards, which will be awarded at the Imperial Gala on November 13, in Toronto, during the annual FDFA Convention. For over two decades, the FDFA has selected winners for the 14 unique Gold Standards awards, to showcase the best in […]
FDFA prioritizes return of Visitor Rebate Program
One year after taking over as Executive Director of the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), Barbara Barrett tells TMI that the Canadian land border duty free association is prioritizing the return of the Visitor Rebate Program. In 2007, Canada became the first country in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to cancel its […]
Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free: Fishing for partners in the North
In TMI’s continuing series on the Gold Standard winners of the Frontier Duty Free Association for 2018, Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free Store nabbed the top Marketing award by taking partnership marketing to a new level in order to increase its day to day customer base. Located on the Canadian side of the International Bridge […]
FDFA 2018 General Operators Meeting opening session: FDFA President Abe Taqtaq reviews past year with pride and optimism
FDFA President Abe Taqtaq, of Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Duty Free Shop, opened the 2018 Operator General meeting with a very upbeat welcome. “This year I am more excited and optimistic to open our meeting knowing what is in store for the FDFA future,” he said, discussing the enthusiasm and accomplishments of the current Board of Directors, which was elected two […]
IGL Duty Free wins FDFA’s Best New Idea Award with WeChat/Alipay options
Montreal-based Importations Guay Ltee. (IGL) won the Best New Idea Award at the Frontier Duty Free Association’s Gold Standard Awards at its annual convention in Toronto last week by introducing payment options for its growing base of Chinese customers. IGL, which has seen an influx of Chinese visitors over the past several years with […]
New FDFA Executive Director spells out programs and goals
Barbara Barrett, the FDFA’s new Executive Director, enthusiastically greeted the association’s operator members, before updating them on Communications, Stakeholder Relations, Member Outreach and Government Relations. “Your board has accomplished so much; it is a thrill to work with this board. And I am really looking forward to work with the rest of you (the members) and get to […]
FDFA Convention welcomes new format and director
The 2018 Frontier Duty Free Convention, which took place Nov. 3-7 in Toronto, was a watershed event for Canada’s duty free association. It ushered in a new format in a new venue as well as welcoming a new Executive Director and a highly-respected public affairs agency. The new format is a process, explained FDFA vice president […]
FDFA’s new Executive Director discusses Advocacy and Future for TR industry in Canada
One on One with Barbara Barrett, FDFA Executive Director The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) announced a new strategic direction for its land border duty free association in August when it appointed Barbara Barrett as the association’s new Executive Director and appointed advocacy firm Impact Public Affairs to be a proactive advocacy voice in Ottawa. […]
FDFA announces “new strategic direction” with appointment of advocacy firm and executive director
The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) Board of Directors has appointed Barbara Barrett to serve as the association’s new executive director. She replaces Laurie Karson, who left the role last September after 12 years at the helm of the industry association. Barrett brings over 20 years of high level public affairs expertise to FDFA. She […]
FDFA’s new convention format to tap into supplier expertise to build brands
According to FDFA vice president Tania Lee, one of the owners of the award winning Blue Water Bridge Duty Free Shop in Ontario, Canada, the new format of the Canadian Association’s annual convention will focus on newness and innovation, and will tap into their suppliers’ expertise to deliver these objectives. Lee says that a great […]
FDFA: Changing direction and starting with a clean slate
Canada’s Frontier Duty Free Association is in transition. The Board’s decision to eliminate the role of executive director last September is just one facet of the new direction being taken by the Association, which hosted its 32nd annual convention in November. For the foreseeable future, the FDFA has streamlined its operations and will be focusing […]
