Doug Needham to leave CRFA

TORONTO—Douglas Needham, who has headed up the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association for more than two decades, has decided to leave the association at the end of June, 2009.
 
“Doug has made an enormous contribution to CRFA and the foodservice industry over the past 26 years, and the board of directors is pleased that he will remain at the helm over the next several months to ensure a smooth transition takes place,” says CRFA chairman of the board, Michael Aronovici. “The board has formed a succession committee to oversee the search for a new president.”

Needham joined CRFA in 1982 and led the association through more than a quarter century of growth and expansion. His accomplishments span government lobbying, industry trade shows and money-saving services for foodservice operators.

In 1982, the association had 1,644 members, one trade show and no one dedicated to government affairs, and leased offices in Toronto.

In 2008, the association has over 33,000 members, four annual trade shows, an 1,800-member buying group, eight full-time industry lobbyists, and offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, including association-owned buildings in Toronto and Edmonton.

Much of his working life has been spent in the management of foodservice and hospitality associations. Following graduation from Queen’s in 1976 he joined Tourism Ontario, a federation of hospitality associations, where he represented the industry during the development of an accommodation grading program.

In 1978, he was appointed executive director of the Ontario Restaurant and Foodservices Association in addition to Tourism Ontario. During the spring of 1982, he spearheaded ORFA’s high profile tax revolt against the removal of the sales tax exemption on low priced meals in Ontario.

“Foodservice is a tremendous industry because of the people involved,” says Needham. “I’ve been privileged to work with an exceptional team of CRFA staff and directors, as well as thousands of foodservice operators across Canada who personify the entrepreneurial spirit of this great industry.

“My departure from CRFA is a bittersweet decision. I’m excited about trying some new endeavours, but I’ll miss working for such a magnificent organization.”

CRFA is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors. Since its founding in 1944, CRFA has grown to become one of Canada’s largest business associations, with more than 33,000 members representing independent and chain restaurants, caterers, bars and other business operators in Canada’s $59-billion foodservice industry.

CRFA’s four annual trade shows —the CRFA Show in Toronto, BC Foodservice Expo, Alberta Foodservice Show and ApEx in Atlantic Canada—help to fund CRFA’s government affairs and research activities.