Virtual Summit of the Americas names speakers

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) has revealed the first speakers for this year’s Summit of the Americas online conference.

The Summit of the Americas will run from 5 to 9 April 2021 and will take place online as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Hosted by the IAADFS and the Asociación Sudamericana de Tiendas Libres (ASUTIL), the event will see leading airport, cruise and border travel retailers from North and South America feature in its line-up of speakers.

On each day of the conference, the online Knowledge Hub will play host to diverse speakers. Sessions will discuss the shape and rhythm of recovery in the Americas market, reshaping the airport experience, changing consumer demand, digitalisation, sustainability, diversity and inclusion.

IAADFS chairman and Dufry Central and Latin America executive advisor, René Riedi, and ASUTIL president and Dufry chief operating officer South America, Gustavo Fagundes, will welcome visitors virtually on the first day.

ASUTIL secretary general, José Luis Donagaray, said: “This is a crucial year for travel retail in the Americas. As we look to drive recovery in the region it is vital that we share insights and best practises to help accelerate these efforts.

“The compelling Knowledge Hub programme will feature a wide variety of conference sessions with educational content from top-class speakers. Keynote speakers and panels representing suppliers, airports, airlines and cruise lines will discuss leading topics such as innovation, digitalisation and consumer adaptation.”

Speakers at the online event will also include Paradies Lagardère president and CEO, Gregg Paradies; Dufry general manager sub-cluster South America, Enrique Urioste; Starboard Cruise Services president and CEO, Lisa Bauer; Heinemann Americas CEO, Nadine Heubel; and Stellar Partners CEO Padraig Drennan.

Retailer Duty Free Americas will also take part in the Knowledge Hub sessions.

IAADFS president and CEO, Michael Payne, said: “Industry executives from all around the world will be able to take advantage of relevant, engaging and informative Knowledge Hub sessions from the comfort of their office or home. Another added benefit is that each and every element of the programme will also be available via the on-demand feature.”

Visitor registration, which is free to all travel retailers, airport companies and exhibitors, is now open at virtualamericassummit.com.