cannes_2024_WEDNESDAY_ISSUE

Festive feel: i ndus t ry ce l ebrates TFWA’s mi l es tone 40 th ann i versary 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. Jaya Singh Managing Director, Mondelez WTR, and former TFWA President O n behalf of Mondelez World Travel Retail, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to TFWA on its 40th anniversary. This remarkable milestone is a testament to TFWA’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the global travel retail channel. Over the years, TFWA has played a pivotal role in shaping our industry, providing invaluable opportunities for members of the trinity to connect, share insights, and drive growth together. Mondelez WTR is proud to be a part of this journey, and we deeply appreciate the platform TFWA has created for meaningful collaboration and industry-wide progress. As we celebrate this special occasion, we look forward to many more years of partnership and continued success. Rowena Holland Managing Director, Essent ial Communicat ions I feel incredibly privileged to have attended all but one of TFWA’s World Exhibition events, since the first in Nice in 1985, and to have worked directly with the Board and permanent team in Paris for 14 of those years. So, personally knowing so many of those involved – and appreciating howmuch incredibly hard work goes on behind the scenes – my message is a massive congratulations, well done and thank you to each and every one of the team. There are so many memories it is hard to pick out any one in particular. Overall, as you can imagine, over 40 years I’ve got to know a lot of people and many have become very dear friends – so it’s always great to catch up with them in Cannes and Singapore over a glass or two (often in somewhere Irish!) Amazing cocktail displays, incredible Gala or Le Premium Evenings (with fantastic performances by stars such as Elton John, George Benson and Lisa Stansfield) but the evening that the venue was turned into a fairground was particularly memorable for me. TFWA has always stood alongside the industry through good times and some very challenging periods. The industry will continue to evolve and change in line with an ever-shifting landscape and I am sure TFWA will continue to support the industry and help it to navigate the future opportunities and challenges ahead. Ramesh Cidambi Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free C ongratulations to TFWA on its 40th anniversary. Dubai Duty Free has been attending this event from the very beginning and it has always been an important part of our business. It is where we meet all our suppliers and industry counterparts for a very productive week. This year we have the largest group of representatives from Dubai Duty Free; some of them are coming for the first time, and we are looking forward to marking this milestone anniversary. Wednesday 2 Oc tobe r 2024 26 T F W A D A I L Y