Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has highlighted strong industry support for the upcoming TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes (27 September-1 October), with several leading global brands confirming their participation.
Among the confirmed exhibitors are global luxury powerhouses including Hermès, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Moët Hennessy and Zegna, joined by a diverse mix of returning and first-time participants such as Fauchon, Pierre Fabre, Crocs and Molinari Italia.
Travel retail leaders including Avolta, Aer Rianta International, China Duty Free Group, Dubai Duty Free, Duty Free Americas and Lagardère Travel Retail have confirmed a strong presence at the event.
Pre-registered delegates also include major airport companies such as Fraport, Heathrow Airport, Changi Airport Group and Istanbul Airport, alongside representatives from airlines, cruise and ferry companies.
Global and regional distributors have also pre-registered in large numbers, adding to the event’s growing industry momentum.
Conference programme and networking opportunities
The TFWA Conference will open on Monday 28 September from 9:00am-11:45am, with a programme of keynote presentations bringing together expert voices to address the key issues and opportunities shaping the duty-free and travel retail sector.
A series of workshops will take place in the Auditorium Jean Mineur (Level 3, Palais des Festivals), with sessions scheduled on Tuesday 29 September, from 8:00am-9:00am and 5:00pm-6:00pm, and on Wednesday 30 September from 10:00am-11:00am and 3:00pm-4:00pm.
TFWA said the workshop programme and speaker line-up are currently being finalised, with more information to be shared ahead of the event.
Alongside its conference and exhibition programme, the Cannes event will again offer a social programme to create further opportunities for delegates to network and build industry relationships.
The programme begins with the Opening Cocktail at the Carlton Beach from 7:00pm on Sunday 27 September, welcoming attendees ahead of a busy week of business and industry exchange.
The TFWA Lounge will once again serve as a central meeting point for networking throughout the week.
Throughout the week, the TFWA Lounge will act as a central hub for connection and conversation, hosting after-work sessions from 6:30pm-9:00pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. These will be followed by late-night gatherings from 10:00pm-1am on Monday and Tuesday, and until 2:00am on Wednesday.
Bringing together delegates from across the global duty-free and travel retail sector, it remains a highlight of the Cannes experience.
Qatar Duty Free has been named Main Partner of the TFWA Lounge, with Santa Margherita, Wonderful Pistachios, Pringles, Haribo, Liviko Crafter’s, Storck and Seeberger also contributing to the Lounge’s food & beverage offering for delegates.
TFWA President Sarah Branquinho said, “TFWA World Exhibition & Conference continues to bring together the full breadth of the global duty-free and travel retail industry in Cannes.
“It is a privilege – and a mark of the importance of duty free and travel retail – to welcome many CEOs and senior leaders both from the brand and retail communities.
“The strong level of early exhibitor and delegate engagement, despite the many challenges of the last 12 months, reflects both the resilience of the sector and the importance of coming together to exchange ideas, build partnerships and shape future growth. We look forward to welcoming the industry once again for a week of meaningful business and dialogue.”
Delegates are encouraged to register before the summer break to secure early pre-registration pricing and ensure their participation in one of the industry’s most awaited international gatherings. ✈
