TFWA World Exhibition & Conference
closed today in Cannes on a positive note with evidence of high levels of
exhibitor and visitor satisfaction and very pleasing attendance figures.
“There has been a tremendous buzz
around the exhibition this year in spite of the difficulties prior to the event
both in Cannes itself and in the industry as a whole,” commented Erik
Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President. “The fact that TFWA World Exhibition &
Conference opened on schedule just two weeks after the appalling flooding in
the city, with virtually all facilities in the Palais des Festivals and at our
other venues provided as planned, is testament to the hard work and commitment
of all our partners in the city.
“The slight reduction in the total
number of visitors compared with last year’s record figure bears witness to the
difficult economic and
geopolitical climate in the world today. However, I am delighted to report that
our key visitor category – landlords, duty free & travel retail operators –
was extremely well represented with a 2% increase in delegates and 4% rise in the
number of companies over 2014.
Agents and distributors also arrived in greater numbers than last year,
which is very pleasing.”
A total of 6,558 visitors from 3,026 companies attended TFWA World
Exhibition & Conference 2015, which ran from Sunday 18th to
Friday 23rd October, compared with 6,701 visitors (-2%) from 3,105 companies
(-3%) last year.
Of the total, 2,183 people (33%) were
key buyers - duty free & travel retail operators and landlords of airports,
airlines, ferry, cruise, border and downtown concerns - up +2% on the previous
year’s figure of 2,132, from 643 companies vs 618 in 2014 (+4%).
Adding the 2,401 agents and
distributors (1,145 companies) to this figure produces a total of 4,584 (1,788
companies) of the most influential trade executives in the industry who were
present at this year’s event.
On the 21,500 m2 trade floor were 482 exhibitors (475 in
2014), including eight luxury yachts in the Harbour Village, 48 of them new or
returning after an absence. Between them they showcased thousands of products
in the fragrances & cosmetics, wines & spirits, fashion &
accessories, jewellery &
watches, confectionery & fine food, gifts & electronics and tobacco
categories.
The TFWA
World Conference, which set the scene on Monday 18th October, attracted
1,504 delegates, who were rewarded for their early start with thought-provoking
analysis of the current business environment from the three speakers - Rudi
Giuliani, former New York Mayor, Peter Long, CEO TUI Group and Erik
Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA - under the watchful eye of moderator Stephen
Sackur, BBC HARDtalk.
145 delegates turned out at first light on Tuesday 20th
for the Market Watch Workshop on South Korea, 169 attended the Inflight Focus
workshop on Wednesday and nearly 90 stayed on after a busy day at the show that
evening for the first-ever TFWA Research Workshop.
Networking is always a priority at this annual summit for
the global duty free & travel retail industry. In spite of the rain, 140
sporty delegates took part in the TFWA Charity Run on Sunday 18th, each
of whom donated 15 euros to the good causes supported by TFWA Care.
The charitable Heinemann/Estee Lauder Golf Tournament was
keenly contested by nearly 100 players and, across the city, 87 delegates
defended their honour in the annual TFWA Petanque Tournament.
Nearly 2,000 guests donned party attire for the ever-popular
Welcoming Cocktail at the Carlton Hotel on Sunday evening with fabulous
fireworks organised by the City of Cannes. The Scene after-hours venue at La Gare
Maritime was packed with revellers each weekday evening, chatting and dancing to
music mixed by some of the best DJs on the Côte d’Azur.
The dazzling climax of the social
agenda for over 1,000 guests was Le Premium Evening at Port Canto on Thursday 22nd
with an elegant ‘Cucina Pop’ dinner prepared by award-winning chef Davide
Oldani and a scintillating acrobatic display by the Cirque Eloize from Montreal.
At the closing press conference, Erik Juul-Mortensen
was delighted on behalf of TFWA Care to present to M. Christophe
Visentin, Founding Director, and M. Bernard
Brochand, Deputy & Honorary President of
SAMU SOCIAL, which provides assistance to homeless people, funds which
will be used to purchase a service vehicle. The van will replace one originally
purchased by TFWA ten years ago which was destroyed in the recent flooding.
Erik Juul-Mortensen concluded, “TFWA
is pleased to report that the 31st TFWA World Exhibition &
Conference has been completed successfully. Initial feedback from visitors and
exhibitors has been very positive and we will endeavour to rectify any issues
which have come to light in time for next year. We look forward to meeting
colleagues at our next industry event, the MEADFA Conference in Jordan, on 23
and 24 November.”
Forthcoming Events:
o MEADFA Conference
23 and 24 November 2015, Jordan
o TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition &
Conference 8-12 May 2016, Singapore
o
TFWA
World Exhibition & Conference 2-7 October 2016, Cannes
Ends
No comments:
Post a Comment