International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) Executive Director Michael Payne told TREND yesterday that he was very happy with the close of play total of just over 2,700 delegates at this week’s IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas in Orlando.

He said: “We have had just a little bit above 2,700 visitors which is a bit better than last year, so I think that is about the right amount that I was expecting, frankly.

“I think the show has been very successful and I have had lots of positive feedback from people who have been very busy. I have seen people really writing orders in there and I just haven’t had anybody complain.

“We have people asking for the same space or more next year and of course, people always want better space if they are not where they want to be. There are also a bunch of new members who visited and want to join, so we will have a challenge in terms of placing everybody next year, but it is a good problem to have so I feel good about it.”

COMMENT: Michael Payne’s comments tally with the observations of TREND that this was a very good and busy show, which was well organised. The mood of the show was also very positive, reflecting the impressive recovery of the business in 2010 that has carried through to the first quarter of 2011.