The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores has confirmed the conference sessions planned for the 2023 Summit of the Americas, which will be held April 16-19, 2023, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
This year the Association is presenting a more streamlined education program with a morning and afternoon session each day on Monday and Tuesday.
The morning sessions will be from 8:00 – 9:00 am, with the exhibit hall and private rooms opening at 9:00 am. The afternoon sessions will be from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. This schedule reduces the amount of time that attendees must select between attending sessions vs. attending meetings.
While a few aspects of the program are still being finalized, confirmed sessions and speakers include:
Keynote Address – 8:00-9:00 am Monday, April 17, 2023
IAADFS Welcoming Comments – Rene Riedi, IAADFS Chair
Scott Miller, Senior Advisor on Thought Leadership, Franklin Covey
Renowned speaker and best-selling author Scott Miller has led C-Suite conversations with some of the world’s leading executives and has one of the largest and fastest-growing leadership podcasts. His practical and engaging session promises to stimulate and inspire attendees to think and act differently, which is critical in today’s rapidly evolving business world.
IAADFS offers special thanks to Stellar Partners and CEO Padraig Drennan for sponsoring the keynote address.
Airports – Critical Partners for the Duty Free and Travel Retail Business 1:00 pm – 2:00 p.m.,
Kevin Burke, Airports Council International – North America
Rafael Echevarne, Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean
Hear from two of the region’s most influential leaders sharing insights on the dynamics and ever-changing developments facing airports across North America, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, including how infrastructure demands, labor challenges, security requirements, ensuring adequate dwell time for shoppers, and regulatory hurdles are being addressed to help advance our business.
Moderator: Rene Riedi, IAADFS
Regional Recovery, Global Context 8:00-9:00 am
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Tania Lee, Blue Water Bridge Duty Free and Frontier Duty Free Association
Cyril Letocart, Lagardere Travel Retail Peru
John Hume, Penta Group
John Rimmer, Tax Free World Association
This session will focus on the regional challenges and opportunities facing the Americas duty free and travel retail industry and global issues that impact the region, including important advocacy issues. A panel of industry colleagues with expertise in these important issues will share their perspectives.
John Rimmer, Managing Director, TFWA will moderate the session.
Building a Resilient, Sustainable Future
Matthew Greenbaum, International Shoppes
Enrique Urioste, Dufry
Andrew Weddig, Airport Restaurant & Retail Association
Moderator: Dermot Davitt, The Moodie Davitt Report
The international aviation ecosystem has recovered rapidly over the past year, but in some key respects business is not back to normal. The pandemic and its consequences have forced many short- and long-term changes; how we manage these carefully and collaboratively will determine the shape of our sector’s future.
In this session, co-organized by the Airport Restaurant & Retail Association and The Moodie Davitt Report, the speakers explore ways to evolve the airport concessionaire business framework to support a sustainable, resilient and equitable future for our industry.
Visit www.2023summitoftheamericas.org/Sessions for additional information about the conference sessions. Participation in the conference sessions is open to all registered attendees.
Strong exhibitor support
The IAADFS reports that the number of companies taking space for 2023 is up 44% compared to 2022 – and with new exhibitors continuing to be added. Clilck here to see a list of exhibitors confirmed to date.
