Delegates attending the 2023 TR Consumer Forum will benefit from a rich array of in-person business and social networking opportunities around a conference programme set to offer deep traveller insights.

The renowned event will be held at the Vienna AirportCity Space in historic Vienna from 21-23 June, supported by Vienna Airport as host sponsor.

With the theme ‘Facing the future; Preparing for Tomorrow’s Consumer Today’, the TR Consumer Forum is co-organised by m1nd-set and TRBusiness and is the duty free and travel retail industry’s only conference that places the consumer at the heart of the conversation.

The Opening Cocktail on 21 June, due to take place after the inaugural Green Shoots Exchange sustainability-focused session, will be the first opportunity for brands, retailers, airports and other stakeholders to gather together socially.

Sponsored by Beam Suntory, the event will take place from 19:00-22:30 at the atmospheric Ottakringer Brewery in its Gold Fassl Magazin space and outdoor courtyard terrace.

The former warehouse is adorned with gold tiles inside, while the terrace is lined with red chestnut trees – perfect for elegant, relaxed networking with industry colleagues.

Viennese heritage

The award-winning brewery offers a spectacular sense of the innovative drinks scene Vienna has to offer.

Following a packed conference day of high-value insights and knowledge sharing, delegates are invited to attend pre-dinner cocktails, followed by the Networking Dinner at the historical Piaristenkeller in central Vienna.

From 20:00-23:30, guests will immerse themselves in the former monastery’s 300-year history while enjoying fine Austrian dining in the Heraldic Hall. The evening is sponsored by Anora Group.

Guests are invited to discover more of the Piaristenkeller building, which is described as one of Vienna’s most beautiful spaces.

Complimentary coach transport, also kindly sponsored by Vienna Airport, will be available for all delegates for transportation to both the Opening Cocktail and Networking Dinner. They will depart from Vienna AirportCity Space from 18:15 ahead of both events, with return journeys from 22:00 on 21 June, and 23:00 on 22 June.

Delegates can also take advantage of networking coffee breaks, sponsored by Leonidas, Loacker and Nestlé, and lunch sessions throughout the conference.

All networking opportunities, including the Opening Cocktail, Networking Dinner and lunches, are included in the conference registration fee.

“All of us at m1nd-set and TRBusiness are greatly looking forward to welcoming delegates to Vienna in June for what has become an essential rendezvous in the global duty free and travel retail calendar: the TR Consumer Forum,” commented Michael Barrett, Head of Events and Corporate Social Responsibility, TRBusiness.

“The importance of networking cannot be overstated, and we’re delighted to be enhancing the stellar conference programme with such vibrant opportunities to spend time with industry peers. 

“We’d like to thank our sponsors, in particular host sponsor Vienna Airport, and the incredible venues we’ve partnered with for making this year’s programme such a unique, enriching occasion.”

Six-figure insights

The event-exclusive data, insights and intelligence shared by m1nd-set alone throughout the TR Consumer Forum Conference programme has been valued at six-figures.

The wider speaker lineup includes Philipp Ahrens, Senior Vice President Center Management at Vienna Airport; Sören Borch, Director Sales Experience & Excellence at Gebr. Heinemann; Fraser Brown, Retail Director, Heathrow Airport; Beatriz de Otto Méndez, Head of Customer Marketing World Travel Retail at Mondelēz International; Claire Duflos, Vice President Marketing, Lagardère Travel Retail; Aude Ferrand, Retail Director at Group Aéroports de Paris; and Julian Jäger, Vienna Airport CEO, alongside many more.

The essential, consumer-focused agenda for the travel retail and duty free industry will span topics including the rise of Gen-Z, tech advances, shopper segments, and future growth channels, all through a strong sustainability lens.

Confirmed attendees to the TR Consumer Forum 2023 include ARI, Budapest Airport, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, ETRC, Frankfurt Airport, Gebr. Heinemann, Lagardère Travel Retail, BAT, Brown-Forman, Coty, Whyte & Mackay and many others. 

Early-bird registration closes on 30 April, with discounted registration available for £595. Registration will subsequently be available at the standard delegate rate of £795.