TFWA World Exhibition & Conference Returns to Cannes with an Industry-Leading Conference Agenda

TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will return to Cannes from 27 September to 1 October 2026, bringing together global travel retail professionals for a week centred on business, insight, connection and strategic exchange, once again serving as the key global meeting point for brands, retailers, airports, airlines, cruise operators and other industry stakeholders.

Kicking off the premier event is the TFWA World Conference programme, taking place on Monday 28 September, from 09:00 to 11:45 in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals. This year’s line-up is designed to explore the forces shaping the future of the industry. 

A robust workshop programme will further bring together leading industry experts to examine the trends, behaviours and innovations across the sector. From market performance and travel demand to fashion, consumer expectations and digital engagement, each session will offer actionable insights for navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. 

High-calibre conference line-up

Under the theme Shaping the World of Travel Retail, the TFWA World Conference will explore current themes redefining the industry, from geopolitics and mobility to human behaviour and consumer engagement. Returning as moderator, internationally renowned journalist and presenter Stephen Sackur will guide a morning designed to challenge assumptions and inspire new thinking.

The TFWA World Conference will open with a state of the industry address by TFWA President Sarah Branquinho, including reflections on the industry’s current position and the opportunities emerging amid economic uncertainty, evolving traveller expectations and significant shifts in global commerce.

By popular acclaim, the first session will again welcome economist and bestselling author David McWilliams for an exploration of the geopolitical and economic realities affecting international business. As globalisation enters a new and more fragmented phase, the session will examine the impact of shifting trade dynamics and political instability on industries built around openness and mobility.

The programme then turns to the future of travel itself with Gilles Roucolle, Managing Director and Head of Industries at Oliver Wyman and author of Transformations in Mobility. His session will explore how airports and other transport hubs are evolving in response to technological innovation, sustainability and changing traveller expectations. As mobility becomes smarter, more connected and increasingly experience-driven, the discussion will consider how commercial spaces may transform, and what this means for the future relationship between travellers, brands and destinations.

The TFWA World Conference will conclude with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg, who will explore the currents shaping human performance and behaviour, and how these shifts are influencing the consumer of the future. At a time when attention, habits and decision-making are increasingly influenced by technology and constant connectivity, understanding why people behave the way they do has become essential for an industry seeking more relevant relationships with travellers.

A platform for innovation, connection and growth

As the world continues to shift, travel retail faces a defining moment of reinvention and opportunity. TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026 will provide a platform for industry leaders to explore the ideas, innovations and partnerships that will help shape the future of the sector.

Commenting on this year’s event, TFWA President Sarah Branquinho said:

“The travel retail industry has always demonstrated resilience and an extraordinary ability to adapt and evolve. As we look towards the future, it is more important than ever to understand the broader forces influencing our business and the changing needs of travellers. The 2026 World Exhibition & Conference has been designed to provide exactly that perspective, bringing together world-class thinkers to share knowledge and provide valuable insight for the decisions ahead.”

By combining a vibrant exhibition with a conference programme centred on the critical dynamics reshaping travel retail, the event promises to add value for all industry participants. 

Further details on the workshops and information on the impressive array of exhibiting brands will follow.

For more information and to pre-register, visit the TFWA website and follow official channels for updates.

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