TFWA World Exhibition Guide

Next week will see the great and good of the travel retail sector descend upon the 2012 TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes from 21-26 October.

The TFWA World Exhibition 2012 held in Cannes, runs from 21-26 October

Around 6,000 delegates are expected to take part in one of the largest annual travel retail exhibitions in the world, which this year is set to showcase over 3,000 products, including those from seven new wine & spirits exhibitors.

As most regulars to the TFWA World Exhibition will assert, the five-day event held in the French town of Cannes is a chance for distributors, buyers and producers to create new business relationships, as well as party until the sun comes up.

From travel retail conferences to cocktail parties, there’s a lot to take in next week, which is why we’ve put together our own guide to TFWA World Exhibition 2012, which you can browse through over the next few pages.

The Scene

TFWA World Exhibition’s infamous pop-up bar will this year move to a new venue at La Gare Maritime, offering another week-long series of live music, cocktails and partying.

Every evening from 22-25 October The Scene will welcome delegates from the show for drinks and dancing. Each evening a different DJ will provide tunes for guests to unwind to, while popular band The Wild Cats will return for another year on 25 October, kicking off their live act at 11.30pm.

Sponsored by brands exhibiting at TFWA World Exhibition, including Bacardi Brown-Forman, Campari and Remy Cointreau, The Scene will provide delegates with a great way to relax after each day’s exhibiting and networking from 10pm -2am.

Weekly tickets are available to buy at thescene.creativespirit.eu, while daily tickets can be bought on-site at the Palais des Festivals during the show.

La Gare Maritime
2 Jetée Albert Edouard (La Pantiero)
Cannes
06400

TFWA Seminars

Opening the exhibition this year on 22 October is a highly anticipated presentation (9am-11.30am at the Grand Auditorium, Palais des Festivals), free to all TFWA World Exhibition badge holders, hosted by a stellar line-up of keynote speakers.

First up is Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President, who will reflect upon the current state of the industry and how both consumer and passenger profiles are now changing.

Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State and chair of the Albright Stonebridge Group, will follow, sharing her views on how political and economic developments around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Asia and the Eurozone, will affect global business.

Jean-Charles Decaux, chairman and co-CEO of JCDecaux SA, will give a unique insight into consumer trends and give his own experience of how to build brands from small family-owned businesses into global successes,

Finally, economist and author Kjell A. Nordstrom will analyse how businesses need to adapt to cope with the impact of population growth, economic changes and the global economic crisis.

But that’s just for starters. At 8am-9am on 23 October at the Salle Diane at the Majestic Hotel, a airline and retailer workshop will be held entitled “Touch Points: Communicating with customers in travel retail”.

Bernie Brennan, former chairman of the National Retail Federation, and Christine Martin, managing director of TRT & ISPY, will be arguing the merits of communicating with consumers through both technology and “the human touch”. While Brennan claims technology and social media has enabled retailers to reach out to consumers in a more personal way than ever before, Martin argues that human-to-human engagement should not be overlooked, and that trained cabin crew and staff can encourage consumers to buy more.

On 24 October at 8am-9am at the Salon Croisette at the Majestic Hotel, a third and final seminar will explore the emerging markets of China, Russia and Brazil, including the shopping behaviour of travellers from each, as well as their growing aviation markets. Presentations will come from Sunil Tuli, managing director of King Power Group (Duty Free) Hong Kong, Peter Harbison from CAPA, and Peter Mohn from m1nd-set.

New Spirits product launches

There will be over 3,000 products showcased at TFWA World Exhibition 2012, with a raft of new to market products unveiled for the first time.

Below is a selection of just some of the spirits making their travel retail debut at the show next week.

Ungava Gin – New from Camus, this 43.1% abv Canadian gin is continuing its global roll-out with a launch in Cannes. Its botanicals include Nordic juniper, wild rose hips, cloudberry, crowberry and Labrador tea.

Balblair 1996 – A new vintage from the Highland single malt producer makes its debut in Cannes, and replaces the previous 1995 bottling. It is available in 1-litre bottles at 46% abv. It joins Balblair 1965, 1978 and 2001 in travel retail.

Stoli Hot and Sticki – No stranger to Cannes, Stolichnaya Vodka is showcasing three new flavours at the show this year, including Hot – a chilli-infused vodka, Sticki – a honey-flavoured expression, and Salted Karamel, an exclusive edition available inly in travel retail and selected markets.

Leisurely networking opportunities

To help delegates make the most of TFWA’s fantastic networking opportunity, the show organisers have laid on a series of alcohol-free leisure activities to help break the ice.

Those arriving early on Sunday 21 October can have their pick of a number of sporting activities marking a leisurely start to the business week.

An afternoon Soccer Tournament is taking place at Les Muriers Gymnasium, with up to eight five-a-side-teams able to compete for the title of TFWA World Exhibition Cup 2012 champions.

A Golf Tournament, taking place at the Old Course, Cannes Mandelieu Golf Club, will be held for those willing to stump up €100 each.

A classic French game of Petanque will take place at the Place de l’Etang, sponsored by Kipling, while a choice of hiking and jogging trails will be open to all fancying a spot of exploring on the island of Ile Sainte-Marguerite.

Those after more gentle pursuits will be able to participate in a Perfume Masterclass in the historic town of Grasse, or a Wine Tasting Masterclass with the monks at L’Abbaye de Lerins on Ile St Honorat.

Most of these do need pre-registration so contact TFWA as soon as possible to be included in the above events.

The Spirits Business Birthday Party

This event is the place to be seen during TFWA World Exhibition 2012. Held on the opening Monday (22 October) at the Hotel Martinez, The Spirits Business party is a chance for us, the world’s only dedicated spirits magazine, to celebrate our fifth anniversary with our industry colleagues and readers.

We will also be announcing the results of the 2012 Travel Retail Masters and Vodka Masters at the event, with certificates handed out to the winning spirit brands.

To help us celebrate in style, liqueurs specialist DeKuyper is flying over a mobile bar and team of top mixologists to whip up a fantastic cocktail menu for our guests, while flairtender Nicholas St Jean entertains us with his skills.

We will also have a brilliant mariachi band to get us in the mood and a raffle with some great prizes supplied by Corralejo Tequila.

Make sure you RSVP to daisy@thespiritsbusiness.com before the event if you’d like to attend, as spaces are limited and a strict guest list policy will be operated on the door.

Hotel Martinez
73 La Croisette
Cannes
06400

Smartphone App

If there’s one thing you do before heading to TFWA World Exhibition this year, download the new dedicated smartphone app.

Available free for Blackberrys and iPhones from the respective app stores, the new application will enable visitors to the show to access all the information they need at the touch of a button.

It includes a full guide to exhibitors as well as their stand numbers, floor plans, a full programme of the show, plus details of on-site services such as restaurants, hairdressers and the business centre.

There will also be interactive touchscreens to help delegates navigate their way around the mammoth show.