cannes_2024_TUESDAY_ISSUE

Festive feel: i ndus t ry ce l ebrates TFWA’s mi l es tone 40 th ann i ve rsary There is a celebratory theme at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference as the Association commemorates its 40th anniversary. Here, leading figures from the duty free & travel retail industry share their messages and memories, congratulating TFWA on the milestone. Look out for more on TFWA’s 40th anniversary in subsequent issues of the TFWA Daily throughout the week in Cannes. Massoud Esfandiary Member of the f irst TFWA Management Committee O n its 40th anniversary, I would congratulate TFWA for four decades of dedication to the duty free and travel retail industry. I would emphasise how their leadership has shaped the industry’s growth and resilience, fostering strong relationships between brands, retailers, and consumers globally. I might also thank the Association for its continuous support during challenging times and encourage them to keep driving innovation, sustainability, and collaboration as the industry continues to evolve. Reflecting on memorable experiences at TFWA events, having been in charge of the Camel Club for a number of years, where the gathering of all members every evening gave the sense of community and the invaluable networking opportunities, creating long lasting friendships. The insightful moments, such as ground-breaking industry trends, impactful keynotes and conferences, or fruitful collaborations born from these events, as well as the wonderful Gala dinners, were key to the success every year. For the future, I hope that the tax-free industry will continue its prioritising of sustainability, customer engagement, and technological advancements. As travel and tourism recover, there will be opportunities for more innovative retail experiences, enhanced by digital integration. TFWA’s role will be more crucial than ever, for the Association to champion these innovations, unite the industry in navigating challenges, and continue to be a powerful advocate for the duty- free and travel retail sectors globally. Arnaud de Volontat General Manager, Alt imetre I wish all our friends, our members, and our partners a happy 40th anniversary. What an achievement we reached all together building this amazing industry of travel retail. What a successful story that was written by visionaries, 40 years ago! I attended my first symposium in 1994, exactly 30 years ago. At that time who would have told me that I won’t miss one! TFWA is part of my life and brought me lot. It went so fast! I wish all the best to our industry. More and more people will travel, which will give our industry more and more opportunities. The industry will evolve and reinvent itself to adapt to this new generation of travellers. A bright future is ahead of us! Harry Diehl Former TFWA Buyers Advisory Committee member T hanks to all people who took the initiative to create TFWA. Congratulations for 40 years of TFWA as a follow-up of ‘Tax Free Trader’, providing our industry with the necessary framework for successful development in increasing the quality of duty free and travel retail assortments. The 40 years of TFWA trade shows, mainly in Cannes and Hong Kong/Singapore, offers the ‘borderless’ consumer the best products in addition (not competition) to local markets. TFWA created friendship and made authorities understand the specifics of our business. I hope that TFWA will be helpful to shape the travel retail of tomorrow concerning assortments and new technological and political challenges. Good luck for the future of TFWA in a hopefully more peaceful world. Tuesday 1 Oc tobe r 2024 56 T F W A D A I L Y