TRC treats industry to a historical weekend with memories to treasure!

…and raises £2000 for charities

The beautiful historic City of Bath was the venue for the Travel Retail Consortium (TRC) Annual Event which took place at the end of September. Attended by TRC members, along with some 60 guests and partners from airport retailers, airlines, ferries/cruise-ships and distributors/agents, the weekend offered an exciting programme of activities in a relaxed, fun and informal atmosphere.

Based at the wonderful Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, the weekend began with an informal welcome reception on the Friday evening, where old acquaintances were renewed and new friendships made. On Saturday, guests and TRC members were split into teams for a fun – but highly testing – Treasure Hunt around Bath. Finding the answers to clues, solving cryptic slogans to discover pub names, and keeping an eagle eye out for pictured pieces of architecture, kept everyone occupied all morning – with several teams having to take liquid breaks en route. Competition was strong with several teams attempting to ‘trade’ answers over the ensuing lunch at Browns restaurant.

A charity raffle was held during the lunch with generous prizes donated by both TRC members and guests. A total of £2000 was raised with the proceeds being split between the British Heart Foundation, in memory of Alan Edwards, and Woodies, a Kent based charity providing days out and respite care for severely mentally disabled children.

After an afternoon at leisure, all gathered again at the Bath Spa Hotel for a Champagne reception and dinner/dance. Welcoming guests to the event, TRC chairman Wayne Morgan (Remy Cointreau) said: ‘In 40 years there have been a lot of changes in the travel retail industry. We face some tough times and have had some hard decisions to make, but we continue to maintain and grow our membership and we have worked hard to stay relevant in today’s business. The TRC certainly plans to be around for another 40 years.’ He also paid tribute to retiring past Chairman Laurence Wright of CG Hibbert.

The evening also saw a heart-felt tribute to the late Alan Edwards, senior retail consultant at Qatar Airways Duty Free by TRC member Martyn Westbury (Mars). Westbury spoke affectionately about a man who will be much missed by the travel retail industry. ‘In no other industry do suppliers, retailers, competitors, distributors and concessionaires come together in quite the way we do in travel retail,’ he said. ‘So it is very poignant to all of us when we lose a valued friend. Alan was one of the nicest people in the industry; and will be very sorely missed.’

One of the major expectations of the evening was the announcement of the winning Treasure Hunt team. This was announced by Jaime Whittaker (Accolade Wines) as the Remy Cointreau team, led by TRC Chairman Wayne Morgan and team members Sharon Morgan (Wayne's wife), Martin Petchey (World Duty Free Group) and wife Sally and Patrick Doyle (IDS - Independent Diplomatic Services) and partner Erika Blazeviciute.

Customers attending the event included Ambassadors Choice, BMI, Cavendish Ship Supplies, Easyjet, Flybe, Harding Brothers, IDS, Jet2.Com, McIntyre Scott Xtra, P&O Ferries, Saga, Tourvest and World Duty Free Group.

Nicola Ridges-Jones, Managing Director of Macintyre Scott, (MSX) leading UK specialists in bonded warehousing and bespoke services for the travel retail industry, commented: ‘It was a great pleasure to be invited as a guest to this years' prestigious Consortium weekend. The atmosphere of Bath, wonderful hotel, and entertainment which included a treasure hunt was enjoyed by all. We also relished the opportunity to meet with old and new acquaintances; as well as network with the cream of the travel retail industry.’

Added Anthony Fletorides, Merchandise Executive Tourvest Duty Free: ‘This having been my first TRC event, the location could not have been any better. Bath is magnificent . This, plus the thought and effort that went into planning the event so that delegates could experience the city and network at the same time , was very useful. Our industry supports building relationships and friendship, and on behalf of Tourvest duty free we thank the consortium for their hospitality and industry upliftment. I would definitely recommend attending to those who are invited.’

‘We’ve been absolutely delighted at the support which are customers have shown for our Bath event this year,’ said TRC chairman Wayne Morgan. ‘People are giving up a weekend for us and so we really do hope that they have made some new friends and taken away some great memories.’

Notes to editors: The Travel Retail Consortium was originally conceived in the late 1960s and formalised in 1971 to further the interests and development of the Travel Retail industry within the UK through the member companies

Its objectives are to raise standards of business within the Travel Retail industry; promote members products and services; discuss industry issues; and provide social and networking opportunities for key travel retail customers at annual events. The TRC is also active in raising funds for charity.

Meetings are held bi-monthly at members or customer company locations covering industry issues, new operators/services, business opportunities etc . Confidential matters such as margins and terms are NOT discussed.

A fun customer event is held annually and has included Dragon Boat racing, It’s a Knockout, School Sport Day, Newbury Race Day and wine tasting in Jersey. This is followed by a black tie evening event. Consortium custom is that bacon rolls and coffee served for those still around at 1a.m.

All TRC enquiries should be made via the website (www.travelretailconsortium.co.uk) or info@travelretailconsortium.co.uk.

Current TRC Members: Accolade Wines; Breo Watches; Coty Prestige Travel Retail and Export; Grolsch, Guinness; Imperial Tobacco International; JA Associates (JCI Jewelry, Morgan & Oates); Mars; Paramount Imagination; Remy Cointreau ; Retail in Motion; Champagne Taittinger; Twinings

Press Enquiries: Row Holland, Essential Communications. Email: row@essentialcommunications.org

November 2012