After a long, hot summer of record temperatures, the residents of Cannes might expect things to be a little cooler in September. Business-wise, however, the mercury shows no sign of dropping with final preparations underway for duty free and travel retail’s global summit, TFWA World Exhibition & Conference (30 September – 5 October in Cannes).
Monday’s Conference offers expert comment on current industry issues with Erik Juul-Mortensen’s final address as TFWA President, followed by a panel discussion featuring major retailers Dufry, Gebr Heinemann, Lagardère Travel Retail and King Power International. Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Dr Bertrand Piccard, scientist and adventurer, add their insights into geopolitics, business and technology. The Digital Focus and Inflight Focus Workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday morning respectively will examine two key areas of today’s duty free and travel retail scene.
Mandarina Duck, Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret are just three new names from the more than 500 brands that have booked stands at the Exhibition. Space in the Palais des Festivals is as tight as ever but the creation of a new area, Majestic Beach, opposite the Majestic Hotel will enable LVMH to spotlight 12 top-flight brands from an extensive portfolio that takes in Givenchy, Guerlain, Acqua di Parma and others.
The comprehensive networking programme will get delegates mixing with their peers. Proceedings start on Sunday morning with a choice of five different leisure activities. Sunday evening’s Opening Cocktail on Carlton Beach is where the entire industry reconnects. The Scene, duty free and travel retail’s favourite Cannes night spot, runs throughout the week and Le Premium Evening on Thursday marks the social highpoint with dinner by one of France’s foremost chefs and entertainment from five top international illusionists.
TFWA Digital Village, showcasing creative digital solutions and services for travel retail, returns to Cannes after a successful debut last year. Once again, around 30 exhibitors will occupy the Gare Maritime alongside the Palais des Festivals venue, demonstrating their capabilities to industry professionals at the global summit.
View the programme for TFWA World Exhibition & Conference
Find out more about the Conference and Workshops
See who’s exhibiting