Visit our website

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

The Emerson Golf Course Michael Resch, owner of the Emerson Duty Free was the “man behind the shovel” and the primary reason the town now has a beautiful, brand new golf course inside the town dike. For years the existing golf course flooded and the municipality would be forced to spend money to bring the course back up to playable standards. Michael donated not only his time, but expertise and machinery in the creation of the golf course. Spending the majority of his time on the tractor grading the greens, building the T-boxes, constructing the club house and putting finishing touches to the landscaping. Michael worked with contractors when required and made sure the project build was on track, and moving forward. Simon Resch’s mother, Sharon Cory also had a huge hand in the cosmetic finishing touches of the inside. Hand painting an incredible mural on the bar which depicts two CN rail cars coming to the Emerson crossing, which helped decide the name “The Depot”. Staff members of the Emerson Duty Free also played a fundamental role in the creation of the club house, and several members donated their own expertise in the execution of the operation. Simon was a huge participant and advisor in how the club house would be set up. Using his previous 20+ years’ experience working in the hospitality industry, unquestionably Simon was the man for the job. Using his past experience he helped design the kitchen and dining room, including contacting previous suppliers for equipment to be used in the facility. When it came time to test the equipment, and the functionality of the clubhouse, Simon Resch and Kyle Hiebert volunteered their time with products purchased by the Emerson Duty Free and participated in a fundraiser dinner for the golf course. Their involvement continues with product sourcing recommendations, and are always available to help the current operator with any questions that may arise. If it wasn’t for the hard work and dedicated commitment in community improvements from the Emerson Duty Free, we wouldn’t have the pristine golf course we do today.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Follow us on social! @FDFAInsider & @CanadaDutyFree

FEATURE SUPPLIER OF THE MONTH:

HAPPY 25 TH ANNIVERSARY MR. HEMI

Wine Classics International Inc was established in May of 1995.  At 23 years old, a young man named Jonathan Hemi was determined to start a new business adventure by becoming a local wine agent, initially selling product out of the back of his green Toyota Camry. These products included Pillitteri and Konzelmann local Niagara wines. His hard work and perseverance led to signing an exclusivity contract for Forty Creek Whisky, with master distiller John Hall for Canada and the US, in the year 2004. Since then, Jonathan has managed to become a partner of Globefill Inc., brand owners of Crystal Head Vodka, while increasing distribution in Canada with current suppliers Campari, Edrington, Heaven Hill and Russian Standard (Duty Free agency brands). Domestically, Jonathan successfully represents Magnotta wines (Bill Harvey Duty Free agent), Zaya Rum and tequilas such as Azunia and Corralejo.  In 2014, as if he did not already have enough on his plate, Jonathan decided he wanted to produce a Canadian whisky. Signal Hill Whisky launched in 2017 and is now a Global Brand and has won Platinum at the Sip awards for the best Canadian blended whisky and Gold for package design. With the help of the part owners and shareholders (Brian Meret and Kristina Cappellini), this brand has grown beyond expectations, in such a short period of time. 25 years later after, Wine Classics International has grown quite a bit; from having one person working out of a small room filled with boxes, to a Global Team of 25, new office space at Yonge & Sheppard in Toronto and a production sight in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Thanks to the FDFA and all of our suppliers and customers, Wine Classics International continues to successfully grow.

CONVENTION PARTNERS

The FDFA would like to thank the members who have confirmed their support for this year's convention.

For information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Allison Gardner, Manager of Operations at [email protected]

Questions or Comments? Get in touch! Allison Gardner | Manager of Operations | 613-688-9788 | [email protected] or Barbara Barrett | Executive Director | 613-688-9788 | [email protected]

STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌