FRANCE. Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has reported record attendance at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, with 8,011 visitors from 185 countries attending the event in Cannes.
The show – which ran from 27 September to 1 October – drew a strong presence from duty free and travel retail operators, agents and distributors, who accounted for 65% of visitors.
The exhibition featured 482 companies across 26,266sq m of space, including 54 exhibitors making their Cannes debut.
TFWA’s ONE2ONE meeting service facilitated nearly 2,000 meetings between exhibitors and industry professionals during the week.
The opening TFWA World Conference attracted 1,517 attendees, while four workshops drew a combined audience of 278.
#KickCancerThon raises €15,022
Alongside its business and networking programme, TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026 placed a strong emphasis on social impact and the role the industry can play in supporting wider causes.
The fourth edition of ‘Yes We Cannes!’ Handisport, organised by TFWA and Stade Toulousain Handisport in partnership with m1nd-set, championed inclusion and accessibility through adaptive sport.
Delegates also contributed in large numbers to #KickCancerThon, the global cancer fund-raising and visibility initiative launched by The Moodie Davitt Report, with delegates cycling on stationary bikes outside the Palais des Festivals. TFWA pledged to donate €10 for every kilometre cycled, prompting an enthusiastic response from delegates.
In total, 1,502km were completed – roughly the equivalent of the distance from Cannes to Lisbon – with TFWA contributing €15,022 towards cancer research at The Royal Marsden Hospital, London. One energetic cyclist topped the individual rankings, covering 150km.
#KickCancerThon is the brainchild of the late Sinead Moodie, who was The Moodie Davitt Report’s Chief Operating Officer at the time of the campaign’s announcement.
As revealed in her August 2025 Blog, Sinead was diagnosed in July 2025 with Stage 4 NUT Carcinoma Lung Cancer, a rare, ultra-aggressive variant of the disease. She subsequently underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
Tragically, Sinead lost her battle for life on 1 February, the very day #KickCancerThonofficially kicked off. The campaign has since continued in her honour.
The next chapter
TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will return to Cannes from 3 to 7 October 2027.
As reported, TFWA and SEMEC formally renewed their partnership agreement in Cannes on 28 September, ensuring the event will remain in the city for at least a further three years from 2027.
TFWA President Sarah Branquinho said: “Having attended TFWA World Exhibition & Conference for 42 years in various roles, it has been a privilege to experience this edition for the first time as TFWA President.
“Setting a new attendance record for the second consecutive year is particularly encouraging and reflects the enduring importance of this event to our global industry. Beyond the numbers, the quality of engagement throughout the week is a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together.
“As we look ahead to 2027, our focus must remain on turning the growth in global travel into sustainable growth for travel retail. This will require continued collaboration, fresh thinking and a shared commitment to adapting to changing traveller expectations
“I sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this year’s event, and I look forward to building on the conversations and partnerships established here.”
TFWA Managing Director Charlène Tourneaux said: “It has been a real pleasure to experience my first TFWA World Exhibition & Conference edition as TFWA Managing Director and to take an active part in the workshop programme as a moderator.
“The quality of the speakers and discussions throughout the week has been particularly encouraging, with valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing our industry.
“Our aim is to ensure delegates leave with fresh perspectives and practical ideas they can take back to their businesses. The level of engagement this year reinforces the importance of creating opportunities for the industry to learn from one another.”
Beyond the exhibition floor
The Opening Cocktail at Carlton Beach welcomed over 3,000 guests, while the TFWA Lounge attracted more than 2,700 visitors on its final evening, rounding off a week of post-work and night-time sessions.
Newly elected TFWA Management Committee Member (and Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail General Manager, Americas) Greg Ford commented: “TFWA World Exhibition & Conference remains an important opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and explore new business opportunities.
“The quality of meetings this year has been particularly encouraging, with constructive discussions and valuable exchanges that will help shape our priorities for the year ahead.”
TFWA Vice-President Commercial (and The Estée Lauder Companies Vice President of Global Client Management) Irene Giatra said: “TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is about much more than what happens on the exhibition floor.
“It is one of the rare occasions when our industry comes together in one place, creating invaluable opportunities to reconnect with long-standing colleagues, strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones.
“The energy at the Opening Cocktail and the TFWA Lounge throughout the week has really reflected this. In an industry built on relationships, these informal conversations are often where new ideas, partnerships and opportunities begin.
Thursday’s Start-Up Day, supported by Mondelez World Travel Retail, featured ten emerging companies and offered them opportunities to meet travel retail industry representatives.
Levita Magic Sales Director Stéphanie Hourlay said: “It has been a fantastic experience to take part in Start-Up Day and share our vision with the travel retail community.
“We’ve had some really encouraging conversations at TFWA World Exhibition & Conference and are excited about the possibilities for bringing more creativity and innovation to the in-store experience.” ✈
TFWA has also unveiled its Management Committee and Board for the 2026-2028 term. Click here to view our report.
