Highlights from the MSA Conference & Expo 2023

Posted: Fri. May 26, 2023

To further the partnership between the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) and the Museum Store Association (MSA, our executive director Chris Solt traveled to Denver, Colorado last week to represent the FTF and support our members at the 68th Annual MSA Forward Retail Conference and Expo. Joy McBrien, FTF Board Chair, co-facilitated a session titled Building Ethical and Inclusive Retail Experiences, and Chris participated in multiple sessions, including Online Marketplaces, Incorporating I.D.E.A. into your Institution, and other sessions focused on nonprofit retail.

Several FTF Members were recognized during the MSA Awards Luncheon. Quilling Card was nominated for Vendor of the Year, Gitzell Fairtrade and WorldFinds were nominated in the Eco-Friendly category, and Dandarah was nominated in the fashion category. Matr Boomie won the Buyer’s Choice Award for paper products featuring their mini embroidered recycled paper notebook tray.

In recognition of the deepening partnership with the MSA, the FTF was officially recognized with the 2023 MSA Advocacy Award!

10 FTF members participated in the expo and discovered both the importance of and unique opportunity in connecting with museum store buyers, many of whom share a deep connection to the values of the FTF.