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Despite the fact that both Michael and I picked up the prevailing “Palais Cough” in Cannes and were greeted by Hurricane Milton soon after we returned home (which luckily just skimmed our neighborhoods), the 2024 TFWA Conference & Exhibition was a resounding success. See some highlights and a full photo gallery in this week’s newsletter.
Speaking of the hurricane, Milton caused some havoc at cruise ports throughout Florida, although PortMiami and Port Everglades opened Thursday for ship traffic, reports Seatrade Cruise News. Port Tampa Bay, Port of Palm Beach, Port Canaveral and Port of Jacksonville were not yet cleared to take ships as of Friday. But Seatrade reports that Canaveral and JAXPORT were expected to re-open on Saturday, and Tampa on Sunday and Monday. Port Tampa Bay suffered power outages and some damage to buildings, but reportedly no significant damage to the docks, as of preliminary observations.
See reviews of the TFWA Conference – which paid tribute to many founding members of the Association and was headlined by a spectacular interview between former U.S. Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton and BBC World journalist Stephen Sackur, followed by a breakdown of the exhibition by the numbers, on page 1.
ASUTIL has announced details of the 2025 Conference, taking place in Lima, Peru in June. Page 2.
TFWA elected a new Board and Management Committee, with some new faces making an appearance. Page 3.
Duty Free Americas expands into Europe. In the last TMI newsletter, the Falic Group announced that it would be expanding globally with new partnerships, and just days later announced that it has formed a joint venture partnership with Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited (Ospree), a subsidiary of Adani Airport Holdings Limited. The global joint venture will initially focus on Europe, with Duty Free Americas launching into the rail travel retail channel operating Le Marché Duty Free at the Eurotunnel French Terminal in Coquelles, near Calais. See full story on page 2.
Avolta has launched Club Avolta, an industry-first loyalty program that seamlessly integrates duty free, duty-paid, food & beverage (F&B), brands, airports, airlines, hotels, and more. The company says that this strategic initiative aims to revolutionize the global travel experience, enhancing traveler satisfaction and driving sales. More details on page 3.
PEOPLE
Ed Brennan returns to DFS Group as Interim Chairman and CEO, as Benjamin Vuchot steps down. Page 3
Matthew Hodges joins Brown-Forman as VP Managing Director GTR. Page 3.
IN THE TMI SPOTLIGHT
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, and Fenty Eau De Parfum are launching across nine Caribbean islands on October 24, 2024 through Essence Corp. Page 4.
CANNES 2024 IN PICTURES. Pages 5 & 6
