INTERNATIONAL. In recognition of the contribution made by industry colleagues, Women in Travel Retail has added a ‘+’ to WiTR.
While membership will still be specifically for women, the change signals a more inclusive approach and allows for non-member guests of other genders to join some of WiTR’s meetings and events.
The group’s events are usually held at key trade events throughout the year, such as ASUTIL, IAADFS, MEADFA, TFWA Asia Pacific and TFWA World Exhibition (and, we hope, at The Trinity Forum in Hong Kong this October).
The successful WiTR webinar programme will also be broadened to include male speakers.
WiTR+ Chair Sarah Branquinho said: “While still very much a group which assists women to network and thrive in the world of duty free and travel retail, WiTR has been and will continue – now as WiTR+ – to be deeply grateful for the support that our male colleagues in the industry have given, particularly in raising funds for the various charities we’ve supported over the years.
“In fact, we could not have done what we’ve done without them. We all felt it was time that we opened our doors to become more inclusive; at least two or three times a year.”
The WiTR+ Steering Committee is also launching corporate membership for companies operating within the duty free and travel retail channel. According to the group, this will allow companies to extend their diversity and inclusion programmes by enrolling female staff members as WiTR+ members.
Details of this new scheme will be announced shortly, but interested companies are encouraged to contact any member of the WiTR Steering Committee which includes:
- Sarah Branquinho (Chair) – Branquinho@dufry.com
- Gerry Munday (Vice Chair) – gerrymunday2811@gmail.com
- Chandra Mahtani – Mahtani@changiairport.com
- Sinead El-Sibai – ElSibai@ddf.ae
- Amanda Felix – amandajanefelix@outlook.com
- Rowena Holland – row@essencompr.com
- Myriem Chalabi – Chalabi@tfwa.com
- Mona Lebrasseur – Lebrasseur@tfwa.com
- Erin Lillis – elillis@lacoste.com
- Nina Semprecht – N_Semprecht@gebr-heinemann.de
- Caroline Buisson – Caroline_Buisson@b-f.com
- Joanne Willey – joanne.willey23@gmail.com
As reported, WiTR+ will stage a full in-person meeting during the upcoming TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition next month, its first at the event since before the pandemic. It will feature an appearance from Maitreyi Karanth, Founder of the Koma Karanth Foundation, WiTR’s charity for 2023. Look out for Martin Moodie’s interview with Maitreyi later this week.
The gathering will take place from 17:30 on Tuesday 9 May at the TFWA Asia Pacific Lounge at Marina Bay Sands.
Koma Karanth Foundation’s mission is to build a Koma community in the impoverished municipality of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro in the Philippines. It will provide homes, education, old age community centres, medical support and support for single women as they strive for self-sufficiency. 
