FRANCE. “An extremely positive week… on the back of a very difficult year.” That was how TFWA summed up this year’s show. As of close of business on Sunday 26 October, the association claimed that 4,879 people had visited the exhibition, of which 1,519 (31%) were key buyers and airport authorities. That figure rises to 10,600 people if revisits are included.
“Given the difficulties the trade has experienced this year – and the change to a weekend format – we are very happy,” commented TFWA ceo Andrew Ford. “We leave Cannes very positive.”
TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen announced the winners of the prize draw for pre-registered buyers. Canadian border store operator Blue Water Bridge’s Tania Lee scooped first prize – a Mercedes Benz worth €30,000. Delta Air Lines’ Gary Guzzeta won second prize – a trip to Singapore and three nights at the Ritz-Carlton, courtesy of Singapore Tourist Board. Third prize – four tickets to next year’s film festival, donated by the city of Cannes – were won by Czech Airlines’ Vaclav Slavicek.
TFWA also professed itself pleased with this year’s social programme. About 1,700 people attended the opening cocktail, held at the Carlton Beach, and The Scene has attracted between 1,500-2,000 people every night. The social highlight, Le Premium Evening, held at Le Marche Forville, was attended by over 1,000 people.
Next year TFWA World Exhibition reverts to its usual “˜week-long’ format, beginning 18 October.
