As anticipated, Asociación Sudamericana de Tiendas Libres (ASUTIL) will bring back its own conference in June 2023 after a nearly six-year hiatus.

The ASUTIL Conference is due to take place on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 June at the Hotel Hilton in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Buenos Aires was the destination in 2005  and the return of the conference would be its first standalone one since 2017, when delegates gathered in Rio de Janeiro.

ASUTIL, together with TFWA which is managing the conference, shared information at a press briefing on Tuesday 4 October during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes.

As part of the plans, m1nd-set will pair with ASUTIL to conduct special research for next year’s conference.

Gustavo Fagundes, President, ASUTIL praised Argentina as the destination for the conference – a location where the DF&TR industry is flourishing.

“We have the right partnership in the right place at the right time,” he told members of the trade press. “We want to make sure we are as good hosts as we’ve been in the past.”

Familiar format for attendees

Erik Juul-Mortensen, President, TFWA, said: “On behalf of TFWA we are absolutely delighted to be able to help put the conference together next year. I remember the 2005 conference in Buenos Aires – it was incredible and amazing. I cannot wait.”

In customary fashion, the ASUTIL Conference will kickoff with industry leaders addressing critical topics affecting the DF&TR business in the region.

Operators and suppliers will then be offered the chance to network after lunch, before a cocktail closes the proceedings on day one.

On day two (8 June), time will be dedicated for networking in the morning before a number of international keynote speakers offer their insights in the afternoon. The conference will close with a traditional dinner.

José Luis Donagaray, Secretary General, ASUTIL, said: “We’re pleased to announce the return of the ASUTIL Conference, which will be back with the familiar format blending excellent learning with outstanding networking, culminating with the customary fabulous party.

“This is indeed very much the right partnership at the right time and in the right place and we will certainly be striving to be the best possible hosts for this event.”

Erik Juul-Mortensen, President, TFWA, added: “The South American duty free and travel market is both vibrant and dynamic and it is truly excellent to see that the continent will once again have its own event dedicated to the industry.

“It is an honour for TFWA to be able to be a part of this event and support in the growth of the industry in this region. I have no doubt that this returning event will be a great success once more, and I’m looking forward to meeting friends and colleagues from across South America.”

For coverage of the last ASUTIL Conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 2017, click here.