FRANCE. Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has attracted strong support for the upcoming TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes (27 September-1 October), with leading global brands and industry players confirming their presence.
The association has also unveiled its networking and events programme, along with further details of the conference.
The event will bring together a comprehensive programme of exhibition, conference and networking opportunities.
The exhibition will host key travel retail brands across a wide range of categories, from beauty, fragrance and fashion to gourmet food, tobacco and spirits & wine, with Bvlgari, Campari, Chanel, Clarins Group, Ferrero and Longchamp among those taking part.
Making their Cannes debut are Crocs, Loewe, Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, Eau Thermale Avène, Bioderma, Anua, Molinari, Atyab Al Marshoud and A L’Olivier.
TFWA is also encouraging members to create or update their Brand Page (now accessible directly from the Exhibitors and Members sections of tfwa.com) to maximise visibility before, during and after the event.
High-profile conference programme
The event will open with the TFWA World Conference on Monday (28 September), from 9am-11:45am at the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals. TFWA President Sarah Branquinho will deliver the opening state of the industry address under the theme ‘Shaping the World of Travel Retail’.
Joining her are economist, author and broadcaster David McWilliams; Oliver Wyman Managing Partner and Global Head of Industries Gilles Roucolle; and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg (all pictured above).
The conference will be led by veteran journalist and broadcaster Stephen Sackur as moderator.
More details on the conference programme are available on the event website.
Interactive sessions and networking
A series of expert-led workshops at the Jean Mineur Auditorium will delve into the trends and developments shaping the future direction of duty free and travel retail.
Oliver Wyman Partner Pierre-Alexandre Koch and Principal Denise van Wijk will present findings from an exclusive TFWA study on future opportunities for customer growth on Tuesday (29 September).
Later that day, Marina Giuliano, Amadeus Director of Sales – Brands, Retailers and Media, will discuss the forces reshaping global mobility and where the next wave of travel demand could emerge.
The programme continues on Wednesday (30 September), with m1nd-set Head of Business Development Anna Marchesini joining industry leaders to examine shifting traveller behaviours and the growth opportunities they present for fashion.
Kearney Partner and Chairman Emeritus Alex Liu, and Senior Partner and European Lead, Consumer and Retail Victor Dijon will also share findings from an exclusive TFWA study examining how AI can unlock new growth opportunities from consumer data.
A strong focus on networking will run throughout the event, starting with the Opening Cocktail at Carlton Beach on Sunday (27 September).
The TFWA Lounge will host informal after-work and evening gatherings, complemented by the ONE2ONE service, which enables attendees to schedule business meetings directly with exhibitors.
TFWA Start-Up Day will return on Thursday (1 October), running from 9am to 11:30am.
Event partner Mondelēz International World Travel Retail will join Altavia Travel Retail, blynk, CXG, DWS, Illuminete x Trinax and Voiceback Analytics at the Press Centre (Level 1) of the Palais des Festivals to present and pitch their latest solutions.
For more details, see the event programme on TFWA website.
Purpose-driven programmes
Reinforcing TFWA’s commitment to social impact, the programme will feature two purpose-driven initiatives. These include The Moodie Davitt Report’s #KickCancerThon, a travel retail visibility and fundraising campaign supporting cancer research that has attracted strong backing from the global business community.
#KickCancerThon is the brainchild of the late Sinead Moodie, who was Chief Operating Officer for The Moodie Davitt Report at the time of the campaign’s launch.
Throughout the week, delegates will be invited to cycle on stationary bikes installed outside the Palais des Festivals.
The collective kilometres clocked up will be converted into a financial contribution from TFWA to the cancer research programme at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital, where Sinead was treated for NUT carcinoma lung cancer.
The Cannes event will also promote inclusion and accessibility through the fourth edition of ‘Yes We Cannes!’ Handisport. Adaptive sports activities will take place at the Allées de la Liberté, adjacent to Cannes City Hall, highlighting TFWA’s continued commitment to the wider community.
For more information, click here.
A strong line-up of partners
The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference has secured strong backing from a diverse network of partners, whose support will extend across the week.
Qatar Duty Free returns as Main Partner of the TFWA Lounge, supporting one of the event’s key meeting and networking spaces at Carlton Beach.
The Lounge will also feature a curated line-up of brand partners, including Haribo, Heineken, Lakrids by Bülow, Liviko Crafter’s, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, Pringles, Santa Margherita, Seeberger, Storck, Walker’s Shortbread and Wonderful Pistachios.
Among the highlights, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail will present its Drink More Water campaign, while the partner programme will provide further opportunities for informal meetings and industry exchange.
Pre-registration closes on 3 September. To secure your place, visit the TFWA website and follow the official channels for the latest updates. ✈
