REVISED DATE OF 19 JUNE 2023: SEE HERE FOR INFORMATION

Mark your calendar for the TR Consumer Forum, which is set to take place in the week beginning 12 June 2023, and register your interest today to stay in the loop with all the latest news and ways to take part.

Organised by TRBusiness and m1nd-set, the TR Consumer Forum is the only travel retail industry event that places the consumer at the heart.

The 2023 edition will be back in full force, bringing all the top talking points into focus courtesy of vibrant panel discussions and interactive sessions delivered as part of its influential global conference agenda.

The location for the touring annual conference will be revealed in due course. 

“We have already received expressions of interest from a number of parties about hosting the next edition, as well as keen interest in both speaking at and sponsoring the 2023 TR Consumer Forum,” said Michael Barrett, Head of Events and Corporate Social Responsibility at TRBusiness.

“The last two editions have generated huge momentum, so we are all very much looking forward to next year’s event.”

The second edition of the forum, which took place between 4-6 September 2022 in Limassol, Cyprus, attracted 180 industry stakeholders from around the world.

A total of nine dynamic sessions were held over the two-day educational programme, with leading names taking to the stage to deliver a masterclass in curating a consumer centric culture, including Yiannis Karousos, Minister of Transport, Communications & Works, Republic of Cyprus; Peter Mohn, Owner and CEO, m1nd-set; Eleni Kaloyirou, CEO, Hermes Airports; Rob Marriott, CEO, Aer Rianta International Middle East; and Barry Wheeler, Head of Retail, Qatar Duty Free and many more.

The programme was enhanced by m1nd-set consumer insights worth six-figures in value, which were revealed exclusively to delegates at regular, key points throughout the conference.

The feedback from delegates was overwhelmingly positive.

“It is always gratifying when delegates give positive feedback following an event,” said TRBusiness’ Michael Barrett. “It’s very rare though when the feedback is so overwhelmingly encouraging and consistently upbeat.

“When asked about the conference overall, speakers and sessions, the networking or the value of the event for the industry, the assessment from delegates was 100% positive with more than two thirds stating ‘excellent’.

The 2022 edition was hailed a “extraordinary conference” and praised for delivering “the latest insights from the best in the business”.

It was “a well organised event and gathering of like-minded individuals, set in beautiful surroundings on the delightful island of Cyprus, with thought provoking industry insights and discussions, which demonstrated, that together, through the sharing of ideas, knowledge and progress, we can bring about positive global change”, said Tracy Ross, Projects & Design Manager, Sustainability Champion & LEED Green Associate at Aer Rianta International Middle East (ARIME).

It was “a great event in a terrific venue”, according to Julie Lassaigne, Secretary General at European Travel Retail Confederation. “The format of the conference delivers great insights with m1nd-set data supported by interactive panel discussions.”

Helen Bull, Senior Business Manager – Internal Media Services at Hamad International Airport described it as “a very well planned and engaging, informative forum” with “good sessions and networking opportunities in a lovely location”.

A key fixture in the annual calendar

More comments from delegates highlighted the event’s reputation as an important fixture in the industry’s annual calendar.

Thomas Henningsen, Partner at Blueprint, called it an “extraordinary conference” with “educational, inspiring and data rich presentations and panel debates on how travel retail, as an industry, can better serve travelling customers during these unprecedented times”.

“The TR Consumer Forum has quickly become a must attend event for me because it puts the consumer at the heart of all the discussions”, enthused Tim Young, Founder/Managing Director of Young Spirit Consulting.

“This year’s event was packed full of valuable information, good discussions, and fantastic networking opportunities with old and new industry friends alike”.

It was a “well run event with useful research insights to support strategic thinking within the travel retail sector”, said Lea Claxton, Head of Retail Space, Strategy & Delivery, Heathrow.

The TR Consumer Forum 2022 was a “fantastic opportunity to learn and hear about the latest trends for travel retail industry, to share thoughts and experiences and also an excellent networking event”, commented Bianka Pivarcsi, Retail Marketing Manager at Budapest Airport.

Emily Garrett, Senior Strategist, Altavia Travel Retail had “a fantastic couple of days, networking and hearing the latest insights from the best in the business”.

“Another insightful edition of this one-of-a-kind event”, summarised Danielle Willox-Semple, Insight Manager, Malt Whiskies & Partnership Brand at Edrington. “This year showcased Cyprus, and provided excellent examples of best in class consumer engagement activities”.

Delegates enjoyed ample networking opportunities, from the opening cocktail to the gala dinner.

As Rowena Holland, Managing Director, Essential Communications described, it was an “excellent conference in a superb venue” with “insightful presentations across a broad spread of industry topics, plenty of networking opportunities, and super hospitality all round”.

The 2022 TR Consumer Forum attracted a record number of sponsors and event partner (38) for a TRBusiness event (whether independently run or as a joint venture).

If you are in interested in finding out more about sponsorship packages, booking an exhibition space or speaking on stage, simply fill in the form at the top of this article.

Photos: Ogival Visuals.

You can watch all the highlights from the 2022 TR Consumer Forum in the video below: