SB Voices: We’re coming for Cannes

As The Spirits Business prepares for the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference show in Cannes, Amy Hopkins looks at what’s in store.

On Sunday I will travel to the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes, France, for the first time. While hopeful, I’m necessarily not holding my breath for glorious Riviera weather, but I am looking forward to immersing myself in all things travel retail throughout the week.

With a multitude of interviews and meetings booked already, I can’t wait to hear all about the latest developments from our industry partners and colleagues. It seems that there is no better place to gauge what’s going on in the DF/TR sector – indeed, a show dedicated to travel retail provides invaluable insights on the economic, political and social issues that affect any commercial sector.

We have recently published our October issue – one of our biggest issues of the year, which is also our travel retail special. The magazine features an in-depth look at the global travel retail market for spirits, and also reveals what some spirits brands will be showcasing at the TFWA event.

Also in the issue are the results of our Vodka Masters and Travel Retail Masters, and medal winners will be applauded during SB’s Beach Party in Cannes. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to our party – where cocktails, canapés, networking and flairtending (and perhaps even dancing!) will be the order of the evening.

However, on a less jovial note, next week will also see SB lose one of its team members as we bid farewell to our news, web and social editor, Annie Hayes.

Today, Annie leaves her role to join Master of Malt. I would like to say thank you to Annie for all of her excellent work and wish her the best of luck for the future.

I am very happy to announce that Nicola Carruthers will step into the role of news, web and social editor for The Spirits Business, and I can’t wait to work with her further on the development of our web and social media strategy.

We will announce a new team member in due course – stay tuned!