Refreshingly candid speakers, dynamic discussions and highly engaged delegates are among the key factors that make the TR Consumer Forum sing – and the Amsterdam instalment of the DF&TR industry’s annual consumer-centric conference, which took place in June 2025, took its distinctive format to the next level. Here’s what our delegates had to say about it… 

“Insightful and inspiring conference”

“Such an insightful and inspiring conference. [The] latest customer research results are paired with related discussions in panels and exchange with delegates, providing multiple ideas how we as travel retail industry can to adopt to trends and customer needs. Thanks to TRBusiness for bringing together so many great industry leaders with the relevant focus topics.”

Tabea Palmer, VP Retail Marketing, Fraport AG

“Energising experience”

“The Travel Retail Consumer Forum 2025 in Amsterdam was a valuable and energising experience. It offered sharp insights into consumer trends, digital innovation and sustainability, all delivered through engaging sessions and meaningful networking. A well-organised event that truly adds value to anyone in the travel retail industry.”

Iskra Skram, Commercial Director – Terminal, Avinor AS – Norwegian airports

Tabea Palmer, VP Retail Marketing, Fraport AG (third from left).

“Well-curated and genuinely worthwhile forum”

“Speaking at the TR Consumer Forum 2025 as part of the ‘Future of Airport Real Estate’ debate was a real highlight. The event brought together valuable perspectives from across the industry, and m1nd-set’s data-led insights helped ground the discussion in the real behaviours and expectations of today’s travellers. It was a great opportunity to share Heathrow’s evolving approach to space planning and experience design, and to hear how others are navigating similar challenges. A well-curated and genuinely worthwhile forum.”

Rory Ford, Head of Retail, Heathrow Airport

“One of the most valuable networking events in the TR world”

“I think the TR Consumer Forum is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues and meet new people. For me, it’s one of the most valuable networking events in the travel retail world.”

Aire Kraas, CEO, Marine City Duty Free

Rory Ford, Head of Retail, Heathrow Airport (far right).

“Dialogue and debate”

As ever, the TR Consumer Forum delivered a great few days of dialogue and debate. This event has a unique atmosphere, it’s relaxed and fun, but at the same time great business ideas are shared, and I always come away feeling inspired. It’s so important that as an industry we continue to challenge ourselves, and the consumer-centricity of this event always brings that sharply into focus.”

Hazel Catterall, Executive Director, Newmark

“Excellent opportunity to meet partners”

“The TR Consumer Forum is a unique and excellent opportunity to meet partners, colleagues and friends from the travel retail industry and build new relationships. Thanks to the panel sessions and presentations, participants can gain and discuss the latest industry trends, incorporating into the daily and future business.”

Bianka Pivarcsi, Head of Marketing, Budapest Airport

“Masterclass in insight, innovation and industry collaboration”

“The TR Consumer Forum 2025 was another masterclass in insight, innovation, and industry collaboration. A particular highlight was the industry-first Gen Z panel debate with an inspiring and candid exchange led by Gen Z speakers that brought fresh perspectives on the future of travel retail. We at Blueprint were delighted to take part as both delegate and speaker, and to reconnect with friends across the industry.”

Karl Walter, Partner, Blueprint

The TR Consumer Forum enjoys a highly engaged audience. 

“So many useful takeaways”

“I had a fantastic time at the TR Consumer Forum. It was such a great opportunity to dive into the latest consumer insights and trends, and I came away with so many useful takeaways. The networking was a real highlight – spending three days with like-minded, passionate people from across the industry made it all the more valuable. The sessions were engaging, the conversations inspiring, and the overall vibe was really energising. Highly recommend to anyone looking to stay connected and ahead in the travel retail industry.”

Liam Dewis, Director, Travel Retail & Emerging Markets, Coach
 

“Fantastic presentations, panels and content”

“We are proud to support the TR Consumer Forum as it is one of the few events that champions the consumer, who are sadly often forgotten about in our industry. The focus on the consumer, trends and insights provides for some fantastic presentations, panels and content.”

Simon Black, Executive Managing Director, Newmark

Lilly Choi-Lee, Executive General Manager, TravConsult (with raised hand).

“Excellent networking opportunities”

“The TR Consumer Forum has been an invaluable platform for our business, providing access to the latest consumer insights and trends from industry leaders and peers. It has played a key role in helping us connect with new business partners and subsequent projects and collaborations, while also reconnecting with existing ones.

“As invited speakers, we’ve appreciated the opportunity to contribute our perspectives on the Asian market and cultural intelligence, topics we hope have added meaningful value to the forum and its participants. We believe in the value of the event so strongly that we’ve made the investment to attend for three consecutive years, travelling from Australia each time.

“Overall, we love the forum’s relaxed yet engaging format, the quality of the discussions and panels, and the excellent networking opportunities. And of course, the gala evenings add a fun and memorable touch to the overall experience.”

Lilly Choi-Lee, Executive General Manager, TravConsult

“Meaningful information”

“Having attended the very first TR Consumer Forum in London and found that insightful at the time, when the opportunity came up to attend again as a representative of my own company, I took the leap of faith it would be great once again and it truly was. I met a number of new people from different companies, made new connections and gathered a great deal of meaningful information about our industry.”

Anthony Fletorides, Managing Director, AF Retail Service Limited

Thomas Kaneko Henningsen, Partner, Blueprint (centre).

“Must-attend conference”

“The TR Consumer Forum brings together the right mix of data-driven insights, progressive thinking, meaningful debate and most enjoyable networking. This must-attend conference champions a customer-centric approach, always keeping travelling shoppers top of mind. From all us at Blueprint, a heartfelt thank you to TRBusiness, m1nd-set, the speakers and the sponsors for bringing together the travel retail community.”

Thomas Kaneko Henningsen, Partner, Blueprint

“High-quality content”

“Attending the TRBusiness Consumer Forum was a truly valuable experience. The event is well structured: large enough to deliver high-quality content through insightful sessions and at the same time familiar enough to foster meaningful conversations and genuine networking opportunities.

The sessions were above expectations, with well-curated, relevant and rich in industry knowledge. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from a wide range of speakers and panellists who brought fresh perspectives and actionable insights.”

Miquel Angel Palacios, International Key Account Manager GTR, Henkell Freixenet

“Forward-thinking voices”

“Attending the TRConsumer Forum was yet again an invaluable experience that has elevated my expertise within the travel retail industry. The event brought together some of the most forward-thinking voices in the sector, offering rich data, consumer insights, and actionable strategies that spoke directly to the challenges and opportunities we face today.

“The calibre of the speakers and the quality of the content allowed me to deepen my understanding of evolving consumer behaviours and industry trends. I left with a sharpened perspective and the kind of market intelligence that enhances my ability to provide informed, strategic guidance – making me a more trusted partner for clients and colleagues alike.”

Steph Hawes, Senior Operations & Service Delivery Manager, Blackjack Promotions

Ana Vassallo, Senior Key Account Manager, Coeur de Lion (centre).

“A truly impressive and enriching event”

“The TR Consumer Forum was exceptionally well organised, with a thoughtfully curated agenda. I particularly enjoyed the m1nd-set presentations – the data provided offered a clear and engaging visualisation of consumer behaviour in airports, which was both insightful and highly relevant. Tracy Ross’ reflections on the ‘spirit of place’ were thought-provoking, and Trevor Lee’s deep experience with Asian consumers added valuable perspective. A truly impressive and enriching event.”

Ana Vassallo, Senior Key Account Manager, Coeur de Lion

“I will definitely be back”

I want to thank all the team who made the TR Consumer Forum not only an incredibly enjoyable event but also very insightful and inspiring. I will definitely be back and recommend to anyone who has not yet been to attend.”

Ben Geoghegan, Commercial Associate, Duty Free Global Ltd

“Continues to raise the bar”

“The TR Consumer Forum continues to raise the bar – with excellent speakers, valuable research, and meaningful networking opportunities. It was a pleasure to attend and contribute as a speaker. A must-attend for anyone serious about the future of travel retail.”

Melvin Broekaart, Founder, Narraid & Travel Retail Expert

“Valuable and productive”

“The TR Consumer Forum 2025 was an excellent platform to raise awareness of our new confectionery brand and connect with key stakeholders across the industry. The compact format made it easy to engage with both new and existing partners, regardless of seniority, and to gain highly relevant insights – particularly from m1nd-set – that we can apply directly to our business. Overall, a very valuable and productive event for us.”

Nick Nogai, Global Commercial Director, Kex Confectionery / House of Julius Meinl

Nick Nogai, Global Commercial Director, Kex Confectionery / House of Julius Meinl (right).

“The learning never stops”

“A great mixture of rich shopper insights, knowledge exchange and networking with old and new friends alike. The learning never stops.”

Tim Young, Director, Young Spirit Consulting/GMAX Travel Retail

“Openness and honesty throughout”

“A fantastic event, thoughtfully organised with insightful presentations and dynamic panel discussions. I was particularly impressed by the openness and honesty throughout, as we worked together across functions to shape the future of the industry.”

Adrian Hayes, Global Key Account Director, Oettinger Davidoff

Philipp Ahrens, SVP Center Management, Vienna International Airport.

“Collaborative effort to drive the industry forward together”

“TRBusiness created the TR Consumer Forum – a fantastic event designed to bring together industry talents for meaningful discussions with consumers at the centre. It’s more than just an event to connect like-minded professionals, it’s a space to put collaborative effort to drive the industry forward together.”

May Ngai, Global Travel Retail Manager, Walker’s Shortbread

“In-depth insights”

“The TR Consumer Forum in Amsterdam provided me with in-depth insights, particularly from a brand perspective. What is expected of brands in the DF sector and how is the purchasing behaviour of the new generations changing? As Trade Marketing Manager, ensuring that our brand activations are strategically aligned is one of my key responsibilities.”

Julia Waldschmidt, Senior Trade Marketing Manager, Oettinger Davidoff AG

Trevor Lee, Managing Director, TravConsult.

“Looking forward to next year’s event”

“This was my third, in person, TR Consumer Forum to attend. The welcome back I received from all TRBusiness team members was once again, absolutely delightful. The level of speakers and the relevance of their topics and content, exceeded the previous two years of conferences, in my opinion. And the previous two conferences were already, top level events to attend. Looking forward already to next year’s event.”

Trevor Lee, Managing Director, TravConsult

“An important industry event”

“The TR Consumer Forum is an important industry event that brings together a diverse group of people from the travel retail industry to share ideas. The ability to network with delegates from all parts of the industry, creates a unique opportunity to better understand the current state of the industry and collaborate together for its future growth.”

Rob Robertaccio, President, ITRC (International & Travel Retail Consultants)

The TR Consumer Forum blends knowledge sharing with lively networking.

“Interesting and beneficial presentations”

“The most interesting and beneficial presentations for our business were the latest learnings about customer experience as well as Asian-outbound tourism and shopping trends.”

Justin Guay, VP, IGL Duty Free

“Extremely insightful”

“Extremely happy with the event: logistics were perfect, it was very practical to have the event/evenings in the same place. The hotel, despite not the most fancy, was convenient and staff friendly and food more than decent. More importantly the forum was extremely insightful, great speakers and I was overall quite impressed with the quality of the presentations.”

Estelle Vincenti, Consumer Insights & Business Development Director, Puig

Stay close to TRBusiness.com for details of the 2026 TR Consumer Forum.

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