AUSTRALASIA & PACIFIC. As travel begins to take-off again and aviation enters the COVID-recovery phase, a group of airport and travel experts have joined forces to create a stand-alone event for the airport retail and wider commercial community — a first for Australasia and the Pacific region.
The Airport Retail and Commercial Forum (Wednesday 20-Thursday 21 July, to be held on the Gold Coast) has been established by the Australian Airports Association, leading travel retail media and events company The Moodie Davitt Report and commercial revenues expert consultancy The Mercurius Group.
The inaugural event will be a chance for industry to celebrate its resilience through a particularly challenging two years and offer critical wayfinding to help the sector come back stronger than before.
“The COVID pandemic has demonstrated that non-aeronautical revenue is vital to the success of airports so it’s important we support the commercial airport community with their own dedicated forum,” Australian Airports Association Chief Executive James Goodwin said.
“The retail and commercial sector has also been doing it tough and this forum will provide a much-needed boost to be able to re-connect, share knowledge and look to the future.”
“Airports can be different to other commercial operations and are highly regulated, so it is important there is a common voice on key issues to ensure the passenger experience is welcoming and up to date as more aerodromes look to diversify their operations,” he said.
The Forum will bring together senior airport commercial executives, operators, and brands, as well as their business partners from duty free, specialty retail, food and beverage, car parking, car rental, ground transport, advertising, property and hotels and other enterprises who are focused on delivering non-aeronautical revenue success at airports.
The triumvirate of the AAA, TMDR and TMG will guarantee a packed program featuring an array of key issues, opportunities and challenges related to the airport community as well as exclusive networking opportunities and an industry exhibition.
The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We’re thrilled and honoured to be working with the Australian Airports Association and our close long-term associate The Mercurius Group on an important event at an important time. Our industry is emerging from a prolonged period of darkness and I am convinced that this Forum will help shine a positive light on a strong and sustained recovery.
“Over the past 20 years we have built several successful international events, including The Trinity Forum, the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. I have no doubt that the AAA Airport Retail and Commercial Forum will be a world-class addition to that portfolio.”
The Mercurius Group Managing Director Ivo Favotto said: “The Mercurius Group is delighted to be partnering with organisations of the calibre of the Australian Airports Association and The Moodie Davitt Report.
“Having worked for many airports in Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific on all elements of commercial revenue and authored leading publications including the Airport Commercial Revenues Study, the Airport Car Parking Study, the Airport F&B Study and the Airport Hotel Study, we look forward to lending our local insight to the development of a Forum that will enhance knowledge and understanding of commercial revenue optimisation.”
Contact
For details about how to get involved with the Airport Retail and Commercial Forum or to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Ivo Favotto: ifavotto@themercuriusgroup.com
or
Martin Moodie: Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com
