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EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE SESSIONS
ASUTIL and IAADFS have released the full lineup of speakers for the Executive Conference Sessions at the 2020 Duty Free & Travel Retail Summit of the Americas, March 30 – April 2, 2020, at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Florida. Participation in the Executive Conference Sessions is open to all registered attendees. See the full program agenda on page 1.
More ASSOCIATION/EVENT news
Despite the continuing threat of the coronavirus, pre-registration for the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference 2020 is now open, and while TFWA is closely monitoring the current situation regarding the coronavirus outbreak, preparations for the event are continuing as planned. Details on page 1.
Seatrade Cruise Global, which is holding its giant Conference and Exhibition at the Miami Beach Convention Center on April 21-23, 2020, is also going forward with plans for its signature event, and issued a travel & health update to assure attendees that everything will be done to assure the well-being of all. Page 1.
NOTE: Watch for TMI’s special newsletter with updates on the global coronavirus crisis and its impact on aviation and travel, this weekend.
CRUISES
Adrian Pittaway, Head of Retail at MSC Cruises, hosted a retail open day earlier in February onboard the Swiss-based company’s newest ship in Miami, the MSC Meraviglia. Some 40 local suppliers and partners such as Heinemann attended, and had an opportunity to hear about MSC’s ambitious U.S. market growth plan. Page 3.
AIRPORTS & CONCESSIONS
HMSHost and its partner MasterConcessionAir last week opened Dale Jr’s Whisky River, owned by Nascar legend Dale Earnhardt Jr, and famed local favorite Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, greatly enhancing the airport’s food & beverage experience at Fort Lauderdale International Airport‘s Terminal 1. Travel Markets Insider was on-hand at FLL for the ribbon-cutting and to discuss with the stakeholder’s how the airport continues to upgrade services for passengers. Page 2.
HMSHost also announced a new 7-year contract extension at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport valued at about $1.5 billion. Page 4.
Stellar Partners, Inc. and its partners have opened its first retail concept, True to Tennessee / Earth Spirit, in Nashville International Airport. Stellar plans to open additional stores at Nashville International Airport later this year. More details on page 5.
Miami International Airport, which had another record growth year in 2019, also scored big following the Super Bowl LIV when it handled a record 80,000 outbound passengers with minimal disruption on Feb. 3. Full stories on page 4.
PEOPLE & COMPANY NEWS
In Memoriam: Augusto Reina, Illva Saronno Holding SpA. Page 3.
APTRA appoints Kavanagh Communciations to lead its communications with media and members. Page 2.
Travel analytics company ForwardKeys has signed an agreement to acquire Traveller Statistics from The NPD Group, a leading global information company. Under the agreement, on May 1, 2020 ForwardKeys will take over direct responsibility for providing information on travelers and on travel trends to former NPD clients in the travel retail niche. See page 5 for more details.
SUPPLY SIDE
Duty Free Dynamics continues to make inroads with its innovative Master Franchisor concept, most recently opening Seiko watches in high profile presentations with Motta Internacional in the Attenza Duty Free stores in Colombia and Ecuador. Page 3.
Nestlé International Travel Retail will be returning to the Summit of the Americas, where it will present new products and continue to capitalize on its ’10 in 10′ strategy (booth 15). See preview on page 5.
Halewood Wines & Spirits is exhibiting at its own stand at the 2020 Duty Free & Travel Retail Summit of the Americas as it works to raise its profile in the region. The company, which is the largest independent alcoholic drinks manufacturer in the UK, is focusing on its Whitley Neill Handcrafted Dry Gin and its flavored variants at booth 507. More details on page 6.
