This year’s theme for the TFWA conference is ‘Shaping the World of Travel Retail’.

TFWA has revealed further details of its 2026 World Exhibition & Conference, with new exhibitors, an expanded conference and workshop programme, networking events and purpose-led initiatives planned for Cannes from 27 September to 1 October.

The event will bring together brands, retailers, transport operators, border stores and other travel retail stakeholders, with exhibitors spanning beauty and fragrance, fashion, gourmet food, tobacco, wines and spirits.

Established names including Campari, Bvlgari, Clarins Group, Chanel, Ferrero and Longchamp will return to the exhibition floor, while first-time exhibitors include Crocs, Loewe, Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, Eau Thermale Avène, Bioderma, Anua, Molinari, Atyab Al Marshoud and A L’Olivier.

TFWA has also expanded its Brand Pages initiative, giving member exhibitors greater visibility through profiles accessible via the Exhibitors and Members sections of its website before, during and after the event.

The TFWA World Conference will take place on Monday 28 September from 09:00 to 11:45 in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals. Under the theme ‘Shaping the World of Travel Retail’, TFWA President Sarah Branquinho will open proceedings with her state of the industry address. She will be joined by economist and author David McWilliams, Gilles Roucolle and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg to examine some of the forces expected to influence the future of travel retail. The conference will be moderated by broadcaster Stephen Sackur.

On Tuesday 29 September, Pierre-Alexandre Koch and Denise van Wijk of Oliver Wyman will present findings from an exclusive TFWA study examining future opportunities for customer growth. Marina Giuliano of Amadeus will also explore changing patterns in global mobility and where the next wave of travel demand could emerge.

On Wednesday 30 September, m1nd-set’s Anna Marchesini will join other industry figures to examine changing traveller behaviour and future opportunities for the fashion category. Later that day, Victor Dijon and Alex Liu of Kearney will present findings from another exclusive TFWA study exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to turn consumer data into commercial growth.

Networking will remain a major element of the Cannes programme. The Opening Cocktail will take place at Carlton Beach on Sunday 27 September, while the TFWA Lounge will host after-work and late-evening networking throughout the week.

TFWA’s ONE2ONE service will also return, facilitating pre-arranged business meetings between industry stakeholders and exhibitors.

TFWA Start-up Day will take place on Thursday 1 October from 09:00 to 11:30 in the Press Centre at the Palais des Festivals. Run in partnership with Mondelēz International World Travel Retail, the programme will feature presentations from companies including Altavia Travel Retail, blynk, CXG, DWS, Illuminete x Trinax and Voiceback Analytics, showcasing new technologies, services and solutions for the sector.

The association will also use this year’s event to support two social impact initiatives. Delegates will be invited to participate in The Moodie Davitt Report’s #KickCancerThon by cycling on stationary bikes positioned outside the Palais des Festivals. Kilometres generated during the event will be converted into financial contributions from TFWA towards cancer research at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital. The initiative was inspired by the late Sinead Moodie, who was treated there for NUT Carcinoma lung cancer.

The fourth edition of ‘Yes We Cannes!’ Handisport will meanwhile return to the Allées de la Liberté near Cannes City Hall, promoting accessibility and inclusion through adaptive sports activities.

Qatar Duty Free has been confirmed as Main Partner of the TFWA Lounge at Carlton Beach. Brand partners contributing to the Lounge include Haribo, Heineken, Lakrids by Bülow, Liviko Crafter’s, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail with its Drink More Water campaign, Pringles, Santa Margherita, Seeberger, Storck, Walker’s Shortbread and Wonderful Pistachios.

Pre-registration for TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026 closes on 3 September. Visit the website here to sign up.