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Former Bang & Olufsen CEO Anders Knutsen gives moderator Emma Crosby his views on the inflight retail industry |
INTERNATIONAL. Organisers of ARC2009, the third annual Airline Retail Conference held on 20-22 July at The Grove hotel near London, have hailed the success of this year’s event despite the backdrop of a troubled world economy.
Speaking of this year’s conference, ARC organiser Max Williams said: “ARC2009 was very well attended by 242 delegates from Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe and America, making ARC a truly international event.”
Corporate social responsibility also played an important part in the event and more than £20,000 was raised at the gala dinner on behalf of children’s cleft charity The Smile Train.
Airline and concessionaire presence at this year’s event held strong, Williams added. Key airlines in attendance included Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, British Airways, Lufthansa, easyJet, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Thomson Airways and American Airlines, along with attendees new to the conference TAP, LOT, Etihad, Iberworld and Air Baltic.
Concessionaire representation came from across all regions, with major operators such as DFASS, ISG, Gebr Heinemann, Duty Free World and Tourvest Duty Free taking part.
Major brand sponsorship also fared well with Coty Prestige, Coca Cola, Heineken, Britvic, L’Oréal, Kraft, Britvic and Mars all involved.
The conference itself was moderated by British TV presenter Emma Crosby, who introduced high-profile speakers Peter Draper, the former Director of Marketing at Manchester United Football Club, and Anders Knutsen, the former CEO and President of Bang & Olufsen, who both provided compelling personal views of the inflight retail industry.
Key industry issues were debated, such as how airlines and suppliers are working together to combat the economic downturn, the pros and cons of group purchasing, and how airlines and airports can work together.
Key airline retail speakers included the newly appointed Retail Manager at British Airways, Nigel Smith, Thomsonfly’s Ian Cowie, American Airlines’ Ann Miller, Pierre Freyssinet from Aeroboutique, Anthony Fletorides from Tourvest Duty Free, plus key suppliers including Jan-Binder-Kristiansen and Nicola Fraser from Coty Prestige and Dan Hayter from Onboard Retail Solutions.
“Feedback from delegates, including exhibitors and sponsors, has been very positive,” Williams said.
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ARC2009 provided an opportunity for debate on major issues affecting the airline and inflight retail industries |
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