This will be the first year that IAADFS and ASUTIL offer a joint event.

‘Significant progress’ has been made in the planning for next March’s 2018 Summit of the Americas, being organised jointly by IAADFS and ASUTIL for the very first time, according to ASUTIL Secretary General José Luis Donagaray and IAADFS President & CEO, Michael L. Payne.

This includes securing three senior speakers for the Executive Conference Sessions, who will include Julián Díaz González, CEO, Dufry, Lewis Allen, Director of Environments at Portland Design and Kian Gould, CEO and Founder of AOE.

NINETY PER CENT OF SPACE ALREADY SOLD…

At the same time, the organisers report that 90% of the space for the three-day exhibition is already sold for the event, ‘with additional space requests continuing to arrive’.

The opening cocktail event looks set to be bigger than ever this year, now that IAADFS and ASUTIL’s exhibition and conference guests will all be gathered together at the one venue.

Perhaps most importantly for the exhibitors, ‘all of the major buyer companies on the Boards of IAADFS and ASUTIL’ have also confirmed their commitment to the event, as well as confirming that their key buyers will be present.

Back on the subject of the Executive Conference, AEE’s Kian Gould is now scheduled to deliver a presentation entitled ‘Digitally Disrupted or Digitally Involved’, while Portland Design’s Lewis Allen will present ‘When Different isn’t Good Enough: Better Shopping for Tomorrow’s Airports.’

WORDS FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING DF&TR RETAILER…

Delegates will also doubtless look forward to hearing Julián Díaz González, CEO of Dufry – the world’s biggest DF&TR retailer – who has agreed to participate as the closing keynote speaker on Wednesday, March 21. (In the meantime, the organisers say other speakers are also ‘in the process of being confirmed’ and will be announced later).

A view of the former IAADFS exhibition area, where more than two thirds of the space has already been sold for next year’s joint IAADFS/ASUTIL event.

Based on the exhibition bookings to date, the organisers also report that those companies who are returning after an absence will include the following: Bodegas Williams and Humbert SAU; Grupo Penaflor SA; Haribo/RIGO Trading SA; KT&G; L’Occitane Americas Export & Travel Retail; Misaki; Philip Morris Duty Free Inc; Rodenstock; SCOJO New York; and the Tortuga Rum Cake Company.

NUMEROUS NEW EXHIBITORS

New exhibitors requesting space for 2018 include the following: Allocacoc; APM Monaco; ARA Food Corp; Bravo Handbags; Destiladora Del Valle de Tequila; Diyacell; Dulzura Borincana; Flux Design Products/iclip; House of Sillage; OM Liqueurs; The Edrington Group; Valrhona; World Wishes; Worlds Best Brands LLC; and Zimpex Marketing International.

Apart from all else that is new next March, both ASUTIL and IAADFS will be jointly inviting guests to the ‘La Movida Club’, which effectively replaces the former Club Americas. This will be open on Monday and Tuesday nights from 10:00pm to 2:00am, offering cocktails and the opportunity to relax and network in a casual atmosphere. ‘A talented DJ’ will also be present to provide the musical entertainment.

The Orlando World Center Marriott Hotel, where the show is being held.

REGISTRATION, HOTELS AND INFORMATION:

Both IAADFS and ASUTIL says that that registration fee includes access to the three-day exhibit hall, all Summit-sponsored social events, and the Executive Conference Sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.

Those registering by January 26 will also have the opportunity to save $150 per attendee, with the registration cost increasing by the same amount after January 26.

The organisers are also urging attendees to book rooms as soon ‘as soon as possible’ and they also point to the special rate of $270 per night for those who take advantage of this at the Orlando World Center Marriott.

MORE ‘OFFICIAL’ INFORMATION:

About registration, click here: http://www.2018summitoftheamericas.org/Registration

About room reservations, click here: http://www.2018summitoftheamericas.org/Housing