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Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is a hugely influential figure in the airline, airport and duty free sectors |
MACAU (CHINA). Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, one of the most powerful figures in the aviation world, is to appear in a specially filmed interview at this year’s ACI Airport Business and Trinity Forum (“˜The Trinity Forum’), due to be held in Macau on 23-25 September.
The dynamic Al Baker has driven the remarkably ambitious expansion of Qatar Airways, not only in the airline sector but also into a profitable group of companies that includes Doha International Airport and Qatar Duty Free Company.
Qatar’s gateway is currently the subject of a major development which will culminate in the creation of the New Doha International Airport.
Al Baker will be the subject of an extensive interview with The Moodie Report Founder & Publisher Martin Moodie, filmed in Doha just before The Trinity Forum takes place.
A strong representation from Qatar Airways will attend the event, led by Keith Hunter, Vice President Qatar Duty Free Company & Qatar Airways Inflight Duty Free.
The Trinity Forum is the world’s leading airport commercial revenues conference. It is a joint venture between The Moodie Report and Airports Council International (ACI).
This year’s Forum is being hosted by CAM – Macau International Airport Company Limited and the 2009 programme is one of the strongest to date.
GMR Group, the powerful Indian infrastructure company and airport developer and the lead shareholder in Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), is a Platinum Sponsor and this week also signed as one of the Opening Cocktail sponsors, alongside The Patrón Spirits Company, brand owner of the hugely successful Patrón tequila.
Visitors to this year’s Trinity Forum have until 15 June to receive a -20% discount on registration. Click here for details.
Confirmed speakers to date include:
– Christian Strang, Senior Vice President of Business Development, DFS Group
– Phil Humphreys, Managing Director Global Travel & Middle East, Diageo
– Suredj Autar, Chief of Commercial & Airport Strategic Development, GMR Airports
– Dan Cappell, Vice President of Commercial Revenues, Abu Dhabi Airports Company
– Derek Larsen, General Manager Retail, Sydney Airport Corporation Limited
– Peter Eriksson, Chief Commercial Officer and Member of the Executive Committee, Zurich Airport
– Nigel Dolby, Founder, Dolby Consulting
– Peter Rebeiz, Chairman, Caviar House
– Sunil Tuli, President, Managing Director, King Power Travel Retail & Duty Free and President Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association
– Robbie Gill, Managing Director, The Design Solution
– Angela Gittens, Director-General, Airports Council International
– Martin Moodie, Founder & Publisher, The Moodie Report
Further big-name speakers are currently being finalised and will be announced soon.
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Dubai Duty Free and The Patrón Spirits Company join a powerful sponsors’ line-up |
The event will begin with the traditional Opening Cocktail on September 23. The Forum itself will be held at the world-famous Macau Tower.
The preferred conference hotel is the MGM Grand, located only a very short bus ride from the conference venue.
A range of alternatively priced hotels is also available at preferential rates (please contact the organisers for details).
ACI and The Moodie Report are making a major donation from event proceeds to this year’s nominated charity, The Smile Train China (www.SmileTrain.org).
Other lead sponsors named to date include Dubai Duty Free (Gold Sponsor) and King Power Group Hong Kong (logo pictured left), which will host the Gala Dinner on 24 September.
Delegates will also be offered the opportunity to take a tour of Macau’s latest and best retail initiatives.
Macau has witnessed a flurry of travel retail activity in the past 18 months, including the opening of DFS Galleria Macao in July; and in 2007 the unveiling of the vast shopping-to-leisure complex The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, whose retail offer includes stores from Nuance-Watson (HK) and Duty Free Americas as well as King Power Hong Kong (which also runs the duty free stores at the airport and ferry port).
Another major luxury retail complex, City of Dreams, will open in coming months, featuring the latest DFS Group offer.
For programme and sponsorship details please contact ACI’s Andreas Schimm at aschimm@aci.aero or The Moodie Report’s Martin Moodie at Martin@TheMoodieReport.com
CLICK TO VIEW IMAGES FROM THE 2008 ACI AIRPORT BUSINESS & TRINITY FORUM
ABOUT CAM
CAM – Macau International Airport Company Limited (www.macau-airport.com) operates Macau International Airport, which since 1995 has rapidly established itself as a vital gateway to link booming Macau with an increasing number of destinations, including Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and Australia.
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ABOUT ACI
ACI (www.aci.aero) is the international association of the world’s airports. A non-profit organisation, its prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations.
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ABOUT THE MOODIE REPORT
The Moodie Report (www.TheMoodieReport.com) is the leading business intelligence provider dedicated to airport and airline non-aeronautical and commercial revenues.
The company has organised The Trinity Forum since 2003, entering into a joint venture with ACI in 2007.
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