Very satisfactory results for TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference 2015

TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference 2015, the 20th edition of the regional event for the duty free & travel retail industry, closed on Thursday 14th May in the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center, Singapore after a hectic and productive week.

Occupied exhibition space exceeded all previous years at 9,118 m2 – up 9% on 2014 - and there were 292 exhibiting companies (+12%) present on 285 stands, of which 73 were new or returning to the show after a short break.

Visitor numbers were satisfactory in a year which has been challenging for the duty free and travel retail industry in the Asia Pacific region. A total of 2,655 people visited the show, equivalent to last year, from 1,053 companies, up +3% from the 1,022 companies in 2014.

Of this total, 993 visitors were duty free & travel retail operators and landlords (key buyers), up +1% on 2014, from 261 companies (+2%).

“I have been really impressed by the quality of the stands, the assortment of products on display and the energy around the show,” said Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA. “This year has not been easy for the industry in this region and, in light of that, we are really very satisfied with the number of companies present and the quality of the visitors.”

The ONE2ONE service facilitated over 350 meetings (+6%) between various delegates and 63 airports and airlines. This was in addition to the hundreds of meetings which took place on exhibitors’ stands, in the popular TFWA Asia Pacific Bar, at the social events and elsewhere around the show.

1009 delegates (+16%) – more than ever before - attended the opening plenary of the Conference on Monday 11th May on the theme ‘Staying a Step Ahead’ at which the speakers were Liew Mun Leong, founding President and CEO, CapitaLand Group and Chairman, Board of Directors, Changi Airport Group, Andrew Wu, Group President Greater China, LVMH, Jaya Singh, President APTRA and Erik Juul-Mortensen, President TFWA.

Four topical workshops provided actionable data and fascinating perspectives on ‘Asia’s rising stars’, ‘Enhancing the customer experience; ‘Cruise control’ and ‘Competing in e-commerce’.

Stephane Garelli, Professor at the International Institute for Management Development and at the University of Lausanne, provided an entertaining and informative presentation on ‘Competitiveness in a new world’ at the closing plenary.

The overall attendance at the conference and workshops was up +6% at 1,260.

The social events, as always, were very popular, offering a chance to network in relaxed surroundings. The annual golf tournament on Sentosa was fully booked; the Tai Chi on Marina Bay Sands SkyPark – new this year – was greatly enjoyed by those present; 905 people (710 last year) attended the Welcoming Cocktail in Raffles; 507 relaxed at the Chill-Out Party at the Pan Pacific poolside; and 748 guests were thrilled and delighted by the rides and attractions at the Universal Studios on Sentosa, the venue for this year’s Singapore Swing Party.

Forthcoming events organised by TFWA will include:
• TFWA World Exhibition & Conference – 18-23 October 2015 Cannes
• MEADFA Conference – 22-24 November 2015 Dead Sea, Jordan
• TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference 8-12 May 2016 Singapore

sourced:traveldailynews.asia