The International Association of Airport Duty Free Shops (IAADFS) has confirmed that Alberto ‘Pancho’ Motta Jr. has been re-elected President of IAADFS by the association’s Board of Directors.

 

The re-election took place during the recent IAADFS Duty Free Show of The Americas in Orlando and Motta said he was ‘thrilled’ to be re-elected.

 

“It is an honour to serve as President of the IAADFS, as it is a position that my fellow board members elected me to,” he said.

 

At the same time, Motta said he couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome of the 2015 IAADFS show, as he explained: “This year’s show was very good. We had strong attendance and we also had a good number of new exhibitors. Also, every year the Trademarket booths are more attractive.”

 

Looking forward to challenges within his next three-year term, he added: “I feel that we must continue to work hand-in-hand with the supplier members and the concessionaire members for the improvement of our industry.

 

 

CONSOLIDATION IS ‘GREATEST CHALLENGE’

“Opportunities are always around and one must be prepared to take them. The greatest challenge we are facing is with consolidation, both on the supplier side and on the concessionaire side.”

 

Looking back, he said IAADFS has ‘come a long way’ since it was born in the 1960s to foster better communication among concession holders at different airports and to allow members to share best practices.

 

“One must remember that there were no cell phones back in those days and most of the communication was done by writing letters,” he said.

 

As for additional challenges, he added: “The biggest challenge, I would say, is being able to adjust to new regulations and having the right products at the right price for the travellers,” Motta said.

 

Meanwhile, IAADFS has also released its dates for the next three shows in Orlando, Florida between 2016 to 2018. They are as follows: April 3-6, 2016; March 26-29, 2017; March 18-21, 2018.