The duty free industry can now pre-register for the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference, which returns once again to the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore, 12-16 May.

As the region’s showpiece calendar event, TFWA Asia Pacific offers stakeholders a prime opportunity to conduct business in the industry’s dominant sales region.

As is customary, delegates are invited to attend the one-day plenary conference that this year shines the spotlight on travel retail’s omni-channel future, technology’s role in improving conversion rates, and sustainability and the future of brands in a regulated marketplace, among other themes.

NEW EXHIBITORS 

The exhibition will showcase the latest products and innovations from leading DF&TR brands in Asia and beyond. New exhibitors this year include Alfa Brands, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, English Tea Shop, Foreo, Georg Jensen, Havaianas, Lamy and Rémy Cointreau.

Attendees can also register for the TFWA ONE2ONE personalised meeting service.

The event is sponsored by the Singapore Tourism Board, Changi Airport Group (diamond sponsor), Neuhaus (lunch sponsor), Leonidas (coffee break sponsor), Incheon Airport (afternoon networking session and workbook sponsor), Nestlé (afternoon networking session sponsor), Pourchet (hostess outfit sponsor) and Skross (conference charging station sponsor).

Accompanying the business schedule is another busy social programme. This comprises the golf tournament sponsored by Interparfums and held at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club on Sunday 12 May, and the traditional welcome cocktail that takes place the same evening at Fort Canning.

The chill-out party, sponsored by Lacoste and Korea Ginseng Corporation, will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Tuesday 14 May, while the Singapore Swing Party opens at Ola Beach, Sentosa Island on Wednesday 15 May.

Last year’s event attracted 3,194 delegates from DF&TR, a 3% increase on 2017.

Alain Maingreaud, President, TFWA said: “Asia remains the largest duty free and travel retail region and is continuing to expand at a rapid pace. The latest Generation Research figures show preliminary duty free and travel retail sales in Asia Pacific stand at US$8.9bn for Q1 2018, up 11.5% year-on-year.

“Buyers from around the world come to TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference to do business and many leading duty free and travel retail companies have expressed their interest in attending this year’s show – with a number of the industry’s most exciting brands already confirming their participation.

“I’m certain the new contacts made, as well as the strengthening of ongoing relationships during a busy week, will help to ensure further business success in Asia in 2019 and to the next decade.”