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The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) held its 40th annual convention this week at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto. Industry stakeholders came from across North America and as far away as Europe to continue to help the Canadian duty free industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
FDFA President Tania Lee, in her opening remarks at the Operators Meeting at the start of the week, said the land border duty free association she leads is undergoing “a slow and painful recovery.” Michael Pasternak reports from Toronto. Page 2.
During the convention, a special gathering of Women in Travel Retail+ took place, attracting a full house and raising money for Child Find Ontario. Page 3. (See more WiTR+ news below.)
IN THE TMI SPOTLIGHT
The FDFA celebrated excellence, innovation, and leadership at the Gold Standard Awards later in the week. See list of winners and pictures on pages 1 & 3.
PEOPLE
In more news from Canada, duty free executive Jeff Orson, who is also an award-winning singer-songwriter, announced that he is retiring after nearly 29 years at spirits distribution company PMA Canada (formerly Peter Meilzynski Agencies). Page 4.
AVIATION
Low cost carrier Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy last week – the first major American airline to file for Chapter 11 in more than a decade. See further details on page 4.
TSA is expecting a record number of air travelers for the 2024 Thanksgiving weekend. Page 4.
NETWORKING
Industry networking group WiTR+ raised more than 25,800 euros for the FRASI Bike to School project this year, which culminated in a capacity-packed gathering in Cannes hosted by Brown-Forman. Page 5
WiTR+ is also holding a member gathering in Miami hosted by Pernod Ricard and Avolta on Dec. 3. See invitation on page 5.
SUPPLY SIDE/SPIRITS
Teremana tequila brings its Share the Mana campaign to Avolta customers this month with high impact activations at Newark Liberty International Airport in the U.S. and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport in Spain. Page 6.
FreeWorld Brands adds prestigious Renais Gin to its global travel retail portfolio. Page 6.
One on One with Remy Cointreau.
TMI’s Michael Pasternak sat down with Fida Bou Chabke, CEO Global Travel Retail at Rémy Cointreau at last month’s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes and discussed the spirits company’s ambitions in GTR. See story on page 7.
