TFWA has today (25 September) confirmed that 516 exhibitors across 496 stands have registered to date for the global summit, which kicks off in earnest on Monday 1 October.

The latest update means exhibitor numbers have surpassed 500 for the second consecutive year.

Of this total, 50 are new or returning to Cannes, including fashion and accessory labels such as Mandarina Duck, Lancel and Arche, which join Blue Chip Group and Laboratoires Cinq Mondes from fragrances and cosmetics.

Among the raft of debuts this year is dermocosmetics specialist Pierre Fabre, Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret.

MAJESTIC BEACH VILLAGE

In a novel twist, the Beach Village outside the Palais has been extended along the Croisette at the Majestic Beach, opposite the eponymous hotel.

Here, LVMH will showcase 10 of its leading brands including Guerlain, Givenchy, Acqua di Parma, Kenzo, Perfumes Loewe, Fenty Beauty, Fresh, Benefit and Make Up For Ever.

The TFWA Digital Village makes its return again this year at the Gare Maritime from 2-5 October, offering delegates an exhibition and associated symposium of the latest technological solutions in global travel retail [click here for a more detailed snapshot of the programme and featured exhibitors].

In response to popular demand, TFWA has refreshed its app to enhance the visitor experience and improve wayfinding across the 22,000-plus square metres of exhibition space.

 

An interactive, 3D floorplan powered by geo-location functionality is one of the features, with delegates able to receive up-to-date information about activities and events taking place around the exhibition.

This will prove invaluable in helping to guide them to on-site services including the TFWA Lounge, which boasts a dedicated concierge service and private bar.

For those with the time (unlikely – Ed) and seeking rest, relaxation and pampering, the Well-Being Lounge is offering massages from experienced therapists, complimentary beauty treatments courtesy of Yves Rocher and the chance to transform their appearance at the Living Proof Style Bar with Living Proof Global Creative Director Michael Shaun Corby.

Guests can also peruse interactive directional screens, discounted rates on helicopter flights between Nice and Cannes and professional photos and films of exhibitor stands.

Additionally, the TFWA Product Showcase makes its return this year, acting as a platform for exhibitors to highlight their products.

‘UNCOMFORTABLY LONG’ WAITING LIST

As reported, final visitor numbers for last year’s event jumped by 6% to total 6,812 from 3,031 companies (+2%).

Crucially at that time, operator and landlord numbers rose by 6% to 2,262 from 642 companies – a similar figure to 2016’s event.

Speaking to TRBusiness Managing Editor Charlotte Turner ahead of this year’s showpiece, TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen was unconvinced that growth in visitor numbers this year would hit the +6% return witnessed last year.

Nonetheless, he stressed: “It’s not a matter of numbers. It’s a matter of making sure we have the right quality of people and that’s something that we spend an awful lot of time analysing and we get the people there that we think should be there. We may very well have an increase again, but I wouldn’t bet on +6%.”

On the question of rising exhibitor numbers, he added: “The waiting list for Cannes is long; it is uncomfortably long. There is no doubt that there are companies on the waiting list that we would ideally like to give a stand to.

“But we must offer them in the order they come in. And we do every year; we manage to squeeze some more in by taking a new area. This year it’s the Majestic (Hotel) beach. So, we are able to increase the number of stands every single year and yet […] we have a number of cancellations for various reasons every year.”

To read an exclusive interview with the TFWA President, watch out for the October issue of TRBusiness, available from the press racks at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference. Click here to subscribe to TRBusiness for the fuller industry picture.

Pre-registration for the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference has now closed, but delegates can still register onsite from Saturday 29 September.

For further information, visit www.TFWA.com