New technology and a digital focus are high on the programme priority list at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference workshop sessions throughout the week, between Tuesday October 3 and Friday October 6.

 

Confirming its workshop programme, TFWA management says both the impact and potential of new technology ‘will be a strong theme’, which will also coincide with this year’s launch of its new TFWA DIGITAL VILLAGE exhibition which is being designed to run alongside the long-standing industry event.

 

In terms of content, the Tuesday ‘Digital Focus’ session (from 8:00am to 9:00am in the Salon Croisette at the Majestic Hotel) will aim to explore the latest initiatives in digital and online marketing to travellers, along with ‘solutions’ being launched by airports, retailers and brands.

 

‘DIGITAL FOCUS’ SPEAKERS…

TFWA adds: “Speakers at the workshop will include Lewis Allen, Director of Environments at Portland Design, whose Strategic Insights Unit will publish The Digital Journey, the second in a series of TFWA Monitor reports for association members, later this year.

 

“Lewis will be joined by Adil Raïhani of The Blueprint Partnership, specialists in challenging and reshaping the airport retail model and by Stéphanie Metz-Thevenod, EVP Marketing & Digital Duty Free Global at Lagardère Travel Retail.”

 

Following on from this, TFWA adds that the Wednesday TFWA Inflight Focus workshop (8.00-9.00am at the Salon Croisette, Hotel Majestic), will examine the issues and challenges facing the airline retail market.

 

TFWA says that ‘with an estimated 1% to 2% of international travellers currently making a purchase during their flight’, the potential for growth is evident.

 

RESEARCH WORKSHOP KEY FINDINGS…

The distinguished panel of industry experts will include Inflight Sales Group Europe President Karen Durban-Villeval, All Nippon Airways Trading Co. Ltd General Manager Inflight Sales Merchandising Kensuke Nishimura, Gebr. Heinemann Sales Director Inflight & Catering John Baumgartner and L’Oréal Luxe Travel Retail EMEA Commercial Development Manager Cyril Coulareau. The workshop will run from

 

In addition, yet another workshop entitled appropriately – The TFWA Research Workshop – will present highlights and key findings of the association’s most recent research studies on Wednesday 4th October from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at Auditorium K in the Palais des Festivals.

 

This research is all available free of charge to TFWA members via the association’s website and this year has seen several new additions, including traffic reports and forecasts, plus trend-watching initiatives released under the TFWA Monitor series.

 

Last, but not least, the busy workshop programme will conclude with a return to the subject of technology in the TFWA DIGITAL VILLAGE in Gare Maritime on the Friday morning. At this event, Portland Design plans to offer both exhibitors and visitors the chance to share insights, experiences and ideas on how new technology can benefit brands, retailers and landlords.

 

TFWA says that the workshops are open to all delegates attending the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference although it does request that all those who wish to attend should pre-register by emailing [email protected].