TRBusiness and m1nd-set are delighted to announce that Beam Suntory is supporting the 2023 TR Consumer Forum as a Diamond Sponsor and Opening Cocktails partner.

Taking place at AirportCity Space in Vienna from 21-23 June, the forum is the duty free and travel retail industry’s only conference that places the consumer at the heart of the conversation.

Now in its third year, the forum is gearing up for its biggest and boldest edition yet, with a high-profile roster of leading stakeholders gathering for two-and-a-half days of knowledge exchange.

Executives from Aer Rianta International, Budapest Airport, Cyprus Duty Free, Düsseldorf Airport, Dufry, Iceland Duty Free, Fraport, Heathrow Airport, Gebr. Heinemann, London Gatwick Airport, Lagardère Travel Retail, Riyadh Airports, Vienna Airport (host sponsor), and many more, are confirmed to attend.

Click here to view the companies attending.

Industry’s ‘vital pulse check’

“The TR Consumer Forum is an event that allows industry leaders, from all sectors, to perform a vital pulse check on how the channel is evolving from the all-important consumer perspective,” said Beam Suntory Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel Gonzalez.

“The inaugural edition [2021] was super timely, as back then we were immersed in the process of trying to understand how Covid would affect our business in the future.

“Now that the pandemic has passed, there are many other issues for all of us to discuss and develop. I am particularly interested in the rise of new shopper segments – and how they will transform travel retail – as I am already convinced we will need to evolve appropriately in order to satisfy their demands.”

A powerful lineup of speakers is bringing the global conference agenda to life and delegates gain access to exclusive consumer insights from event partner m1nd-set worth six figures in value (if independently commissioned).

“As brand owners, clear consumer insights and accurate data are essential for us to remain responsive, sharpen our strategies and deliver solutions that enrich our company, the category and indeed the global travel retail business too,” said Gonzalez.

“The channel would not have evolved the way it has in recent years without an in-depth understanding of travelling consumers, and their wants and needs. Clear insights underpin any successful marketing strategy, but are even more valuable, I believe, when targeting a diverse range of international shoppers within a global distribution channel.

“I’m sure that all of the conference sessions, and expert speakers, will be extremely informative – and the networking too is always invaluable. However, I am especially interested in learning more about sustainability and environmentally responsible business practices, in addition to the latest consumer behaviours and mindset of Gen Z.”

Please click here to view the global conference agenda.

All those attending the forum can take advantage of ample networking opportunities – including a variety of ways to connect with members of the Beam Suntory team.

“The Beam Suntory team will be more than ably represented by our category and insights leaders Alejandra Valdes and Guillermo Señan, by delegates from our brand team, and by Mercedes Perez, who leads our Scotch whisky portfolio,” continued Gonzalez.

“We are thrilled to be sponsoring the Opening Cocktail, which will showcase our Bowmore and Courvoisier brands. I can reveal that the latter will feature an exciting – and very refreshing – new perfect serve.”

The event will take place on the evening of 21 June, following the inaugural Green Shoots Exchange sustainability-focused session and will be the first opportunity for brands, retailers, airports and other stakeholders to gather together socially. The venue is the atmospheric Ottakringer Brewery.

Looking to the future, Beam Suntory will shortly be unveiling the hotly-anticipated third limited edition of its Bowmore Designed by Aston Martin collection.

“This travel retail exclusive range has been hugely successful, appealing to fans of both British houses, and highlighting Bowmore’s global premiumisation drive,” said Gonzalez.

“This latest release will be supported by a show-stopping new activation concept for key airport partners, which we are all really excited about. Importantly, 2023 marks the House of Suntory’s 100^th anniversary of whisky making in Japan. We have lots planned to celebrate this milestone achievement in the travel retail channel – watch this space.”

Tickets to the 2023 TR Consumer Forum are available until 12 June 2023.

To find out more about the 2023 TR Consumer Forum, please visit the dedicated website at www.TRConsumerForum.com.

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