For the DSA, 2018 has been an important, exciting and productive year. With a talented new team in the office and a Board filled with fresh and experienced faces, we have focused on increasing the value provided to member companies and building on our capabilities to continue serving the direct selling industry into 2019 and beyond.
We would particularly like to thank everyone who has given up their time to participate in board or committee activities throughout the year. Without you, the DSA would not be the same.
Some of our key actions and achievements in 2018 include:
Government Relations
Our extensive outreach to government – including a successful Day on the Hill in Ottawa in May – has provided numerous positive outcomes. In particular, our lobbying efforts helped to minimize increases to the tax free import threshold in the updated NAFTA agreement and ensured that the new trade agreement specifically references the importance of the direct selling model. We have also continued to promote the image of our industry in the eyes of elected officials through regular meetings, which will prove crucial as we strive to influence policy discussion in the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election.
Ethics & Integrity
Via our Code of Ethics , we are continuously upholding and promoting the excellence of the DSA and all of our members. The DSA logo truly is the mark of quality in the direct selling industry, and this fact is increasingly recognized by internal and external stakeholders, adding prestige for all our members who display the logo proudly. Our ethics review team continues to play an important role in ensuring that the incredibly valuable integrity of our industry is upheld.
Communications
This is an area where we have created significant value in 2018. Our new website provides both the information and image that our members, ISCs and consumers have been looking for. The website’s content is being continuously updated and improved, with considerable extra information and resources planned to be added in the new year. Combined with our new monthly newsletter and an enhanced social media presence, we are now able to reach out to and influence our key stakeholders more effectively.
Member Events & Education
Through successful seminars – including hosting over 70 attendees at our Doing Business in Canada event in Washington and two well attended events in Toronto – we are excited to say that we have reached out to more current and potential members than ever before. Our DSA Annual Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland, had a fantastic response and we look forward to seeing members in Vancouver in June, 2019.
Direct Sellers Education Foundation
In 2018, more deserving recipients than ever before were presented with DSEF Educational Scholarships , which help to shine a bright light on the amazing people who are part of the direct selling community. Thanks to the entire industry for their support of this incredible initiative. The DSEF was also active in schools and business groups, spreading the direct selling message.
On to 2019
We are incredibly excited for what the New Year holds. We are planning to create even more value for members and our plans include:
- An exciting public relations program to promote the industry and the opportunity it provides
- A brand new socio-economic study of the industry’s impact in Canada, along with numerous other research projects
- More great educational events and activities for members across the country
- Enhanced online resources to assist members in building their businesses
- A continued focus on promoting the direct selling industry to government, ensuring that DSA members are supported in policy and regulation development
