The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
IAADFS hosted a very successful 2013 Duty Free Show of the Americas this past April 7-10 in Orlando, Florida. The show featured a sold-out exhibit hall and strong participation from the buyer, supplier, and press communities. Although TMI has received some mixed feedback about how busy the Trade Market floor appeared to be, nearly every exhibitor we spoke with remarked that business was strong, the right buyers were in attendance and this was one of the best duty free shows they had attended business-wise. IAADFS says it has already started planning for the 2014 show, which is scheduled for March 9-12, 2014, at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. To view the IAADFS Orlando picture gallery please go to http://www.iaadfs.org/?page=
As some of you know, Travel Markets Insider Editor/Publisher Lois Pasternak spent much of the Show filming editorial segments with some of the Americas leading industry retailers, suppliers and association leaders in association with Peter Marshall’s Airport Dynamics TV (http://www.airportdynamics.
Another highlight of the Duty Free Show was the WiT networking meeting – Women in Travel – which not only attracted a record turnout of at least 100 (at 7:15 in the morning!) but raised more than $4,000 in support of travel retail industry charity Hand in Hand for Haiti. This was more than enough to allow WiT to sponsor a child for the coming year in the HHH school. Thank you to the industry for all the generous donations we received as well as the outpouring of support from all who attended. And a special thank you to Essence Corp. — which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year — who made a monetary donation of more than $1,000. See more details on page 4.
Congratulations also to the winners of the 2013 DFNI Travel Retail Excellence in the Americas awards-Dufry Americas, Nuance Group, Shopping China, DFASS, Royal Caribbean International, Diageo and Chivas Brothers’ Blend. See details on page 1.
This issue of TMI also focuses on Hudson Group‘s new 3,500 sq. ft. flagship travel retail “Hudson” concept which debuted in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s (SEA) Central Terminal. Full story on page 1.
In other retail news, California-based Baja Duty Free inaugurated its newest store in San Diego, and unveiled a new corporate identity for parent company Fairn & Swanson. Page 3.
Internationally, Danzka Vodka, one of the leading brands in duty free, has officially been acquired by Germany’s Behn Group, which confirms that Torben V. Andersen – who has worked with the brand for decades — is joining its Waldemar Behn division on May 1.
The 2013 Patrón Spirits Charity Golf Tournament will take place this coming week in Coral Springs, Florida, with fundraising to support multiple charities under The Patrón Action Foundation. For more information, and to donate to this worthy cause, see details on page 3.
South American Duty Free Association ASUTIL has unveiled a strong line-up of presenters for its 2013 Conference, highlighted by former top ranking U.S. diplomat and Georgetown University Professor of Government Arturo Valenzuela as keynote speaker. The Conference is taking place June 12-15 at Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Full story and registration details on page 4.
