Alberto Motta, Jr., President of IAADFS hosted a well attended President’s Reception at the Duty Free Show of The Americas in Orlando last night.

 

Approximately 80 VIP guests were welcomed to the traditional pre-show gathering on the 28th floor of the Orlando World Center Marriott, with past and present industry faces in abundance.

 

Motta joined IAADFS Executive Director Michael Payne in welcoming an upbeat gathering, with most executives present in optimistic mood about the year ahead.

 

Jacques Dagenais, Aer Rianta International General Manager North America, Richard Rendek, CEO, Nuance North America and Gerry Crawford, Retail Operations Director, ARI.

 

The legendary Harry Diehl – formerly the face of Gebr. Heinemann – was also in attendance and in fine form, as was the IAADFS’ Washington Representative Jon Kent, who has worked tirelessly over the years to protect the business from all manner of threats – often in association with the ETRC.

 

Left to right: Eduardo Heusi, Global Category Head Liquor for Dufry America; Wuysvaldo Luna, Area Manager for Cross; and David Ferreira Head of Global Travel Retail, Cross.

 

A VERY SENIOR GATHERING

The Immediate Past President, Carisam/Samuel Meisel David Bernstein and his wife Patricia were also present, along with many retailers from the US and Latin America, as well as several who currently serve on the IAADFS Board.

 

These included Susan Stackhouse from Stellar Partners, Jose Gonzalez, Dufry America, Padraig Drennan, World Duty Free Group, Michael Halpern, International Shoppes, Joe Lyons, DFS Group, Richard Rendek, Nuance, Enrique Urioste and others.

 

The view from the veranda of the 28th floor at the Orlando World Center Marriott Hotel.

 

Many other well-known industry faces were also present, including TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen and World Duty Free Group Business Relations & External Affairs Director – Sarah Branquinho (also ETRC President) as well as Colm and Breda McLoughlin all the way from Dubai.

 

The IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas runs through from the opening sports day and cocktail welcome today to Wednesday March 12.