TFWA Singapore: conference programme revealed

Off-airport duty free developments, millennial travellers and legislative threats to travel retail’s growth will be focal points for discussion at this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference, 8-12 May.

The trio of workshops will provide delegates with the vital insight they require to meet the challenges facing their industry.

Workshop A will look at ambitious off-airport duty free developments, which have gained particular traction in Asia.

Speakers include Amos Xu of Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free Shop, Hyunah Ahn from Korea duty free operator Hanwha Galleria Timeworld and Peter Mohn from M1nd-set.

Workshop B will delve into the hopes and expectations of the ambitious millennial traveller, with speakers including Singapore-based bloggers Uli Chan and Christabel Chua, Grant Fleming from Lagardère Travel Retail and Cheryl Lim from McKinsey who co-authored a report on capturing the Asian millennial traveller.

Workshop C will pinpoint and discuss current legislative and regulatory threats, packaging regulations and carry-on board rules and specific categories such as alcohol and tobacco to establish ways of safeguarding the industry.

Speakers include Sarah Branquinho, ETRC president; Andrew Gardiner, Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association board member and chief of retail & Launceston, Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne); Duty Free World Council president Frank O’Connell and GfK global head of travel & hospitality Laurens van den Oever.

“With three sessions running simultaneously, there will be plenty of food for thought during what promises to be a highly informative and constructive afternoon,” says TFWA vice president, conferences and research Thom Rankin.