CANADA. The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) has revealed the finalists for this year’s Gold Standard Awards taking place during the annual FDFA Convention in Toronto (18-21 November).
The organisation represents the Canadian land border duty-free sector and plays a crucial role in promoting the business of its 32 member stores.
For more than 20 years, the FDFA has selected winners for the 13 Gold Standards Awards to highlight best practice at land border duty-free shops.
This year’s winners will be announced at a gala event on 20 November at the Omni King Edward Hotel, Toronto.
From products and suppliers to innovative practices, the awards have been designed to honour outstanding FDFA member stores, owners, employees and suppliers.
This year, the organisation has launched the ‘Trailblazing Women of Influence’ award category, to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women making significant contributions to the industry.
FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett said: “This year’s FDFA Convention will celebrate ‘40 Years of Growing Together’, marking four decades of success and collaboration within Canada’s duty-free industry. Over the past 40 years, we’ve strengthened Canada’s leadership in the global duty-free market, driving economic growth and supporting tourism across the country.
“We extend our gratitude to the sponsors who have made this year’s awards possible. We look forward to celebrating the finalists and engaging with industry leaders at the convention in Toronto.”
Bellow is the list of the 2024 award categories, finalists and sponsors:
2024 Outstanding Duty-Free Employee of the Year
Sponsored by: Retail Council of Canada
Lori-Anne Irwin (DFS Ventures/Emerson Duty Free)
Willie Deplonty (Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free Store)
Bill Cassford (Queenston-Lewiston Duty Free Shop)
2024 Best New or Relaunched Brand of the Year
Flik Flak Love from Canada
Swatch Group Canada
Jewellery/Watches/Handbags/Accessories
Sponsored by: Travel Markets Insider and The Moodie Davitt Report
Promaster Skyhawk A-T Snowbirds (Citizen Watches of Canada)
Swatch The Simpsons – Second of Sweetness (Swatch Group Canada)
Confectionary/Food/Souvenirs
Sponsored by: Travel Markets Insider and The Moodie Davitt Report
KitKat Senses Lotus & Milk (Beler Holdings)
Ritter Sport Nut Selection (Distribution Fontaine)
Tictac Mini Boxes Strawberry (Distribution Fontaine)
Fragrance/Cosmetics
Sponsored by: Travel Markets Insider and The Moodie Davitt Report
Le Beau Paradise Garden by Jean Paul Gaultier (Distribution Fontaine)
Miss Dior Parfum by Christian Dior (Beler Holdings)
Daisy Wild by Marc Jacobs (Distribution Fontaine)
Spirits/Beer/Wine/Tobacco
Sponsored by: Travel Markets Insider and The Moodie Davitt Report
Royal Salute 21 (Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Americas
Garrison Brothers Bourbon (Wine Classics International)
Crown Royal Blackberry (Diageo)
2024 Best Marketing/Merchandising Award
Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free Store
Queenston-Lewiston Duty Free Shop
Niagara Duty Free
2024 Supplier of the Year Category A
Northern Souvenirs
Sayan Inc./Miss Caprice
Jakeman’s Maple Products
2024 Supplier of the Year Category B
Bacardi Canada
Andrew Peller Limited
JTI-Macdonald Corp.
Diageo
2024 Supplier of the Year Distributor/Agent
Beler Holdings
Wine Classics International
Distribution Fontaine
Borders Duty Free Agency
2024 Platinum Award Category A
Sponsored by: Global Travel Retail Magazine
Boutique Hors Taxes de la Beauce
Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free Store
Johnstown Duty Free Shop
2024 Platinum Award Category B
Sponsored by: Global Travel Retail Magazine
Queenston-Lewiston Duty Free Shop
Importations Guay Ltée
Windsor Tunnel Duty Free
2024 Trailblazing Women of Influence
Sponsored by: Bacardi Canada
Lois Pasternak
Alex DeBellis
Heather Howard
2024 Rising Star of the Year
Ashley Greaves (Queenston-Lewiston Duty Free)
Paul Lafleur-Woods (ARI North America) ✈
