How can the various actors of the Asia Pacific duty free and travel retail industry differentiate themselves to increase penetration and revenues? This question was the recurring theme throughout the 2010 TFWA Asia Pacific and Gate One2One conference. Stretching the imagination and the limits of creativity to innovate, if well planned, can bear its fruits. The conference & workshop programme encouraged delegates to dare to tread into unexplored territories, to think boldly and differently.

Erik Juul-Mortensen, President, TFWA
In his state of the industry address, Erik Juul-Mortensen reflected on how the industry throughout the Asia Pacific region has been faring in the past twelve months, highlighting some of the achievements and reflecting on some examples of boldness and differentiation.

• Download Erik Juul-Mortensen's presentation

Sunil Tuli, President, APTRA
In his address, Sunil Tuli looked to what the future may hold for travel retail over the next twelve months throughout the Asia Pacific region, focussing both on the opportunities and the threats to the sector. He also touched on some of APTRA’s tasks and achievements, underlining the importance of regional associations for the duty free and travel retail industry

Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, Economic Advisor, Mastercard Worldwide
Mr Hedrick Wong, one of the most highly-respected independent economists in Asia, argued that the centre of gravity of the global economy is shifting to Asia and that, with this kind of tectonic shift is typically massively disruptive and upsetting, especially for established incumbent businesses, "Think Bold" is not only the right response, it is the only response. He looked at where businesses that are looking to invest in Asia need to focus on in the post recession recovery period.

• Download Yuwa Hedrick-Wong's presentation

Azran Osman-Rani, CEO, AirAsia X
CEO of one of the most dynamic low cost carriers in Asia, Azran Osman-Rani  gave an indepth economic perspective of the region from the travel industry’s perspective; he looked at how the aviation industry in general has been impacted in recent months and what the future landscape for aviation in the Asia Pacific region will look like as traffic picks up once again. He projected what the future may hold for industry stakeholders in the medium and long term and how businesses will need to adapt in order to survive in the post recession era.

• Download Azran Osman-Rani's presentation 

Shaun Smith, shaunsmith+co
Shaun Smith closed the plenary session with an invigorating and inspiring review of some of the innovative initiatives certain brands have been implementing to get through the tough times. He discussed the theory of “boldness” and “differentiation” as a preview to the afternoon plenary when he developed the theme with specific examples of boldness that have seen considerable success.

• Download Shaun Smith's presentation

Moderator
Michael Barrett, TFWA Conference & Research Manager

Please note : workshops A and B run simultaneously

Ballroom, Level 2

Suntec - Room 201, Level 2
Lunch Workshop session in addition to business networking lunch in Ballroom

Are you aware of the major issues which may impact your bottom line over the next few years? Collaborative action through one legitimate voice is of utmost importance to defend the industry against external threats. The industry's duty free and travel retail associations play a vital role in highlighting these issues and representing all stakeholders when communicating to governmental and intra-governmental bodies.

The TFWA-APTRA workshop highlighted some of the actions that directly concern your business, from the WHO tobacco threat to the new perspectives for LAGs, focussing on how the industry can act together to find solutions and protect it from future threats.

Sunil Tuli, President APTRA
Keith Spinks, Secretary General, ETRC
Danika Ahr, Head of Legal & Corporate Affairs, British American Tobacco International Ltd (BAT)
Sarah Branquinho, Business Relations and External Affairs Director, WDF

Moderator
Doug Newhouse, Editor, The Travel Retail Business

Downloads
Keith Spinks' presentation
Danika Ahr's presentation
Sarah Branquinho's presentation

Please note: workshops C and D run simultaneously

Theatre, level 2

Following the brief insight during the morning plenary with Shaun Smith, this session went into greater depths and detail on how differentiation and the courage to act differently can have a direct impact on penetration. Using case studies from within the industry, Shaun Smith looked at the practical steps to driving differentiation and advocacy and illustrated how any brand, whether an airport, a retailer or supplier, can use the principles of ‘bold brands’ to differentiate in their own markets.

Yvonne Chan, General Manager Asia Travel Retail & Franchise, Burberry Singapore, then presented how Burberry has re-positioned itself and driven sales through a bold strategy of product innovation, customer experience and distinctive marketing. She also discussed how is Burberry tackling the duty free sales market in Asia-Pacific.

Shaun Smith, Smith Consultancy
Yvonne Chan, General Manager – Asia Travel Retail & Franchise, Burberry Singapore

Moderator
Michael Barrett, TFWA Conference & Research Manager

Download 
Shaun Smith's presentation

Hand in Hand for Haïti

Hand in Hand for Haiti is a collective travel retail industry response to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti following the catastrophic earthquake that hit the country on January 12. The project, which has generated extraordinary industry support, aims to aid the reconstruction effort by building world-class educational facilities in an area of great need. The Moodie Report Publisher Martin Moodie, a founder member of Hand in Hand for Haiti ’s Steering Committee, presented a short overview of the fund’s origins, aspirations and progress at the beginning of the closing plenary session.

Suntec, level 3