Join the FDFA!
If you are currently selling products within the Canadian Duty Free channel you are eligible to become a supplier member of the FDFA. Once your application is received, the FDFA will verify the information provided before submitting for approval by the FDFA Board of Directors.
To qualify for membership you must already be selling products/services to more than one duty free shop in Canada. Additional information is available under Resources.
Building a Foundation of Excellence in the Canadian Duty Free Industry
The Frontier Duty Free Association membership is at the forefront of all our decisions and goals. Our trade association represents 120 duty free owners/operators, supplier and associate members. At the FDFA, our goal is to connect and communicate our various member groups so that a true synergy continuously exists amongst our industry leaders.
FDFA is committed to representing our membership by maintaining high profile relationships and dialogue with government officials, developing national advocacy campaigns, fostering relationships with strategic industry stakeholder partners, hosting the annual duty free convention and other social events that celebrate our unique industry, providing timely news that is relevant, and continuously providing programs and services to increase our members professional expertise.
FDFA Advocacy
Government relations has always been an important aspect of FDFA’s work, and maintaining positive relationships with politicians from all parties is a central tenant of the association. FDFA is committed to its advocacy work, specifically with its meetings with government officials as well as meetings with other stakeholders in the industry. Through our government relations activities, the FDFA voices industry concerns and communicates our message through all levels of government. Due to our store’s close proximity to the border, our government relations activities can range from border related issues, to tourism and small businesses.
Connecting our Suppliers
With over 70 supplier companies that represent this important member segment, the FDFA works hard to ensure the supplier’s business needs and important connections within our industry are continuously met. Since our supplier members represent a variety of products sold everyday at duty free stores, this member segment can rely on the FDFA to assist in their business development needs. We are proud to service our suppliers to facilitate information, provide them timely statistics and create business relationship opportunities. As we evolve as an industry association, it is a priority to understand our supplier issues and develop sound solutions that meets all of our members’ objectives.
Membership Access Counts
Through our Members-only website, our supplier members have a central online portal to access at any time, key Canadian duty free specific information ranging from our duty free membership contacts, key archived sales and traffic statistics, professional development speeches and resources, award winning duty free marketing and student scholarship archived submissions, full annual convention resource platform, and so much more.
Our Convention and the Opportunities
The FDFA hosts the only Canadian duty free convention. The convention is the place to be amongst duty free members to make meaningful and valuable connections. The four-day event promotes and fosters our supplier and operators’ business relationships. Our goal at FDFA is to exemplify to our suppliers, government officials, media and special guests who attend the convention, that the FDFA is committed to ensuring that everyone experiences business value at the convention, and understands the importance of their unique role within our important industry.
Association Communications
FDFA has developed an e-newsletter to keep you informed about association and industry news. The e-newsletter keeps members up-to-date on recent advocacy efforts as well as upcoming events in addition to highlighting member best practices.
Social media activities have been a huge success in increasing member communication and developing relationships with suppliers.
@FDFAInsider is increasing FDFA’s online presence through tweeting out information. FDFA often receives Retweets from stakeholders and public officials or from other associations, as well as FDFA members.
@CanadaDutyFree is a place for FDFA members to speak more directly to consumers and offer product information, tips and tricks and border/duty information the public needs to know.
Our Members – Your Industry Voice
The Frontier Duty Free Association was established 40 years ago with the vision to act as the voice of the Canadian Land Border Duty Free Industry. Our founding pioneers were forward thinking leaders, who recognized that the future success of the duty free industry was to create a collaborative voice of duty free store owners that would allow the industry to grow expeditiously. It is that same thinking that still prevails amongst today’s Canadian duty free leadership team.