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Rene Riedi to continue as IAADFS chairman

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) has re-elected Rene Riedi as chairman of the board.

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IAADFS has completed its board elections

Riedi, the Central and Latin America advisor for travel retailer Dufry America, was originally elected to the role in 2019, and his new term begins in July 2021.

He said: “I am honoured to be elected by my peers to continue to serve in the role of Chairman of IAADFS.

“I am also grateful to my fellow board members for the time they have volunteered to serve on the board of directors, particularly during the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Riedi’s re-election was welcomed by IAADFS president and CEO Michael Payne. “We sincerely appreciate Rene’s willingness to continue providing his expertise and devoting more time and energy to IAADFS and the overall industry for yet another year,” Payne said.

“We all know that these have been very difficult times and Rene has provided thoughtful, informed and steady leadership for the association and its members. He is a pleasure to work with and I’m grateful to him and the entire board of directors for their commitment and support.”

Enrique Urioste, also of Dufry, has been re-elected as vice-chairman, and Padraig Drennan of Stellar Partners will continue to serve as treasurer.

Operation Smile 

Along with its board elections, IAADFS has also completed a five-year pledge to support the medical nonprofit Operation Smile, contributing US$50,000 to the charity.

The commitment was made in honour of Alberto ‘Pancho’ Motta Jr, who passed away in April 2016 and played a key role in IAADFS’ operations and the wider travel retail industry.

“Pancho Motta was a devoted volunteer and donor to Operation Smile in Panama, and IAADFS has been proud to honour his legacy with this lasting commitment,” said Riedi.

Payne added: “Pancho deeply valued the work that Operation Smile performs to provide life-saving reconstructive cleft surgeries for children in need, and since some cleft surgeries can be done for as little as $240 thanks to doctors that generously donate their time, it’s possible that this contribution in honour of Pancho helped hundreds of children regain their smiles.”

In June, IAADFS released its Business 1ntelligence Service Recovery Monitor report, highlighting ‘encouraging’ trends in travel retail.

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