Live at the MEADFA Conference in Abu Dhabi : Moodie Davitt Report

UAE. The annual Middle East & Duty Free Association (MEADFA) Conference is taking place in Abu Dhabi this week (17-19) and The Moodie Davitt Report, through Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and President Dermot Davitt, is on location to bring you highlights of the event.

Davitt is co-moderating the conference alongside Michele Miranda, Conference Director at Tax Free World Association (TFWA), which manages the event for MEADFA. Look out for our more detailed report in coming weeks.✈

18 NOVEMBER

A key session kicks off the post-coffee break programme on day 1 of the MEADFA Conference 2024. The discussion (pictured above), moderated by John Rimmer, presents a critical update on the issues the industry must address to safeguard its growth in the Middle East & Africa.

It features Rob Marriott (shown at podium), Chair of the MEADFA Advocacy Group along with committee members (from right) Rania Abou Hussein, Chichi Maponya, Roger Jackson, Banu Eksi and Duty-Free World Council President Sarah Branquinho.

Branquinho provides a comprehensive global context and offers a hard-hitting call for a unified pan-industry approach to defend travel retail against efforts to paint the duty-free sector as a source of illicit trade and other related challenges. “The stakes could not be higher,” she says.

Saudi Arabia, Africa, India and the Middle East converge as Dermot Davitt (left) facilitates a fascinating discussion featuring a quality quartet of panellists. From right are Matarat Holding General Manager of Commercial Non-Aero Marcus Spahn; Africa Travel Retail Co-founder and Executive Chairperson Chichi Maponya; Delhi Duty Free CEO Ashish Chopra; and Avolta Middle East and Africa CEO Abdeslam Agzoul

**And it’s Ashish Chopra taking a clear early lead in the hotly contested brightest on-stage socks award, judged by The Moodie Davitt Report. Are these the perfect 10?**

A great shot of a compelling discussion between Abu Dhabi Airports Managing Director and CEO Elena Sorlini and The Moodie Davitt Report President Elena Sorlini, who revealed the imminent announcement of a new Chief Commercial Officer

{Elena Sorlini’s session culminated in this thrilling video, released earlier this year when the Zayed International branding was revealed. Leading drone light show company Skymagic created a three-dimensional A380 plane formed from 1,750 drones on the North Runway to celebrate the renaming of Zayed International Airport. The film portrays how a falcon takes flight across the Abu Dhabi skies and then, via a swarm of drones, is transformed into Etihad Flight 09, before touching down at the airport}

**MEADFA President Sherif Toulan takes to the stage. Here he is seen thanking the impressive line-up of sponsors for their support of the event.**

A poignant moment as Toulan pays fulsome tribute to long-time Dubai Duty Free executive leader Colm McLoughlin who died on 30 October at age 81. “The passing of Colm McLoughlin, at the end of last month, has taken from us one of our industry’s greatest ambassadors,” Toulan said. “He was a pioneer who did more than anyone to establish the duty-free market here in the Middle East, and he was a passionate advocate not just for his company and our industry, but for the emirate of Dubai and his adopted country, the UAE.”

**Toulan also pays warm tribute to TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen who retires from the role next month, capping an outstanding contribution to the travel retail community over more than four decades**

**What a view to wake up to from one’s room at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr overlooking Abu Dhabi Creek with the glittering white-marble minarets of the wondrous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the distance**

17 NOVEMBER

Aer Rianta International Middle East hosted the traditional Welcome Cocktail this evening in balmy conditions waterside at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel.

Many of the anticipated 600 MEADFA delegates enjoyed drinks and canapés in a pleasant outdoor setting before the annual event gets down to business tomorrow.

18 NOVEMBER

17 NOVEMBER

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