INTERNATIONAL. The deadline for entries to the eagerly anticipated Travel Retail Superstars Awards 2026 is just two months away, with anticipation building as travel retail veteran Heidi Van Roon once again joins the event’s stellar panel of judges.
Open for entries until 16 November, the awards complement the Food & Beverage (F&B) Superstars Awards, held alongside the annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards to be held in Antalya on 3-4 June 2027.
The Travel Retail Superstars Awards will once again shine a spotlight on the frontline and behind-the-scenes heroes and heroines whose dedication, expertise and passion have helped drive the industry forward over the past year.
Hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report, the event is run in partnership with an advisory committee of human resources and training specialists who help shape and judge the programme, with winners to be revealed in January 2027.
Spark Group Founder and President Heidi Van Roon will again offer a strong industry perspective to the judging process, drawing on extensive experience in HR, recruitment, staffing and team performance across the airport and travel retail sectors.
A recognised industry leader and thought leader, she advocates for positioning airports as employers of choice while aligning workforce strategies with labour market dynamics and delivering consistent traveller experiences.
Her expertise in building high-performing teams has earned recognition from leading beauty houses, which have cited her teams as benchmarks for professionalism and performance across Canadian and US airports.
Her thought leadership on elevating travel retail careers has also earned international recognition, including finalist positions in industry awards.
Van Roon said: “It is always a highlight to review the growing number of TR Superstars submissions each year across the regions and the categories. I commend The Moodie Davitt Report for creating an opportunity that recognises the individuals who shine brightly across the many levels and geographies of our beloved industry. The value and the values of goodwill efforts cannot be overstated.”
Led by Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie, the judging panel brings together Ethos Farm Founder & CEO Sally Alington and Recruit GTR Founder Jilly Brocklebank to assess nominations spanning airport, airline, downtown and cruise retail.
The Travel Retail Superstars Awards 2026 categories
Star Team – An award that celebrates teams who have pulled together, working seamlessly, enthusiastically and effectively, while inspiring each other and those around them. It recognises teams who have gone beyond the call of duty, together, to make a difference and to get the job done to the highest standard.
Star Individual – This award recognises people who everyone loves to work alongside and encounter in the workplace. For those individuals who always show up both for work and for others, who strive to walk the extra mile, who display integrity and passion, and who communicate with sincerity, friendliness and conviction.
Innovation: Team or Individual – This award is for those who have provided a difference to the business through offering innovative ideas that have been adopted (especially company-wide), and have led to increased efficiency, improvements, profitability or enhanced customer service.
Humanity, Leadership & Inspiration: Team or Individual – An award that celebrates those who have shown that leadership is an action, not just a position, and who encourage good citizenship through compassion and empathy and responsibility.
Women in Travel Retail Superstars – Introduced to the Travel Retail Superstars Awards in 2025, the category recognises the critical role women play across the wider travel retail ecosystem (the same individuals remain eligible for recognition in other award categories).
* For each of the categories, there are awards for four separate regions: Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa.
If your team member, or team, deserves star treatment, please help to highlight and give due recognition to them by nominating here.
The written summary component of entries should not exceed 800 words in total and should cover events that have taken place between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026.
More details on Travel Retail Superstars entry requirements are available on the website. An administration fee of £79 + VAT per submission is payable via the portal. ✈
