TFWA confirms record exhibitor numbers for 2017

The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference taking place in Cannes next month has confirmed its highest number of exhibitors to date.

Visitor numbers slipped 2% at TFWA WE this year. Image: Palais des Festivals

The annual flagship travel retail and duty free event from the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) sees thousands of delegates gather in Cannes, France, each October, for a week of business and networking.

A total of 515 companies have registered to exhibit at this year’s show, an increase of 4.7% from 492 last year. The exhibitors will be based across 472 stands.

This year’s show, taking place on 1-6 October, sees the launch of the new Digital Village, which will showcase how new technologies can be utilised in duty-free and travel retail. Thirty exhibitors from across the digital retail sector will occupy the space at Gare Maritime from 4 October to 6 October.

The Digital Village’s ‘Ideas Lab’ workshop will run from 9am to 10pm on 6 October and will feature highlights from the upcoming TFWA research study ‘The Digital Journey’.

A new geo-localisation app will allow visitors to geo-locate themselves on a 3D interactive floor plan and then follow a route to a stand of their choice.

The TFWA’s conference programme will have a key focus on digital technology. The show also recently confirmed its social events and leisure activities programme.

Former United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon will lead the line-up of speakers in Cannes, alongside former Ireland president Mary Robinson and Wired UK editor-at-large David Rowan.