News

INTERNATIONAL. Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail has this morning confirmed its involvement in the travel retail industry’s premier virtual and physical events later this year.

The leading drinks company will participate in both the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October) run by The Moodie Davitt Report (with partner FILTR.QINGWA) and the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes (24-28 October).

“The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes is a key event in the travel retail calendar and provides us with the perfect opportunity to present our innovations and how we can support our customers and the channel, after what has been a difficult 18 months. We are excited to return and showcase brand strength, brand innovations and our success stories, regrouping once again with a true spirit of conviviality.”

For details on the Cannes event please visit www.TFWA.com

TFWA has reported encouraging commitment from retailers and brands to attend the Cannes show, which will take place in October, health situation permitting

Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail’s support of both events underlines their complementary roles. “We are excited to return and showcase brand strength, brand innovations and our success stories, regrouping once again with a true spirit of conviviality,” says Mohit Lal of the physical Cannes event. In turn, the Virtual Travel Retail Expo offers an ideal opportunity to champion excellence in areas such as  digitalisation and retail theatre innovation, he adds.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo has attracted strong support from retailers, brands and airports, with many who attended the acclaimed inaugural event in 2020 pledging to return.

For exhibitors, the event features a range of Virtual Stands at different price levels, each offering a high-class digital experience, and unrivalled visibility to the global travel retail community in these difficult times. The booking deadline for exhibitors is 16 August.

On 8 July The Moodie Davitt Report and Stand & Experience Partner FILTR.QINGWA hosted a Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 masterclass to introduce the new bespoke virtual event platform that the two companies have jointly invested in. Click here for more details about the experience and to view the masterclass.

The ‘Hainan Discovery’ zone is one of several enhancements to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo for 2021

INTERNATIONAL. Entries are now being invited for the FAB Superstars Awards 2021, which will shine the spotlight on the thousands of front-of-house and behind the scenes heroes and heroines who have helped keep the travel food & beverage industry going throughout the pandemic. Click here for more details and to make a nomination.

FAB Superstars is the sister programme to The Travel Retail Superstars Awards, a new annual awards scheme for travel retail employees across airport, airline, downtown store and cruise sectors. Both sets of awards will be announced during the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, which takes place from 11-15 October.

The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards, conceived, owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report since 2011, is the only event dedicated to the burgeoning airport food & beverage business and returns this year in an online format, with a series of sessions dedicated to the channel on Thursday 14 October during the Expo. The FAB Superstars Awards will provide an uplifting and fitting end to this day by celebrating the resilience and achievements of employees in the F&B sector.

Hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report, with support from digital, design and communications agency FILTR.Qingwa, the awards are free to enter and run in collaboration with an advisory committee of travel food & beverage specialists, who will also help judge the awards.

These include industry consultants Nick Inkster, who spent 25 years in senior roles with SSP and Kevin Zajax, CEO at Ground Control Global and former CEO & Managing Director at Emirates Leisure Retail. Others will be named shortly.

Please note: The deadline for submissions is 10 September 2021. Click here to make a nomination for the awards.

Click here to register for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021.

The awards will be presented as part of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, which will offer a high-class digital experience for exhibitors and visitors from 11-15 October

The FAB Superstars Award Categories

Star Team – An award that celebrates those teams who have pulled together, working seamlessly, enthusiastically and effectively, whilst inspiring each other and those around them. It recognises teams who have gone beyond the call of duty, together, to make a difference and to get the job done to the highest standard.

Star Individual – This award recognises those people who everyone loves to work alongside and encounter in the workplace. For those individuals who always show up both for work and for others, who strive to walk the extra miles from a starting point of integrity and passion, and who communicate with sincerity, friendliness and conviction.

Star Story: Team or Individual – The last 18 months have provided many challenges across all businesses in every sector. So this award is for those who have created and been an integral part of workplace stories that put a smile on the face, feed the soul and warm the heart. 

Innovation: Team or Individual – Inspiration for new ideas and initiatives can strike anyone at any time, but particularly so in the face of challenges and change. This award is for those who have provided a difference to the business through offering innovative ideas that have been adopted, (especially company-wide), and have led to increased efficiency, improvements, profitability, enhanced customer service etc, at a time when businesses have needed such creativity more than ever.

Humanity, Leadership & Inspiration: Team or Individual – An award that celebrates those who have shown that leadership is an action, not just a position, and who encourage good citizenship through compassion and empathy and responsibility.

To reach as far and wide as possible, each of the five main award categories will be divided into four geographic and three department sub-categories in order to fully recognise and celebrate a diverse range of employees across the world for their passion, hard work and dedication. Each main category award will therefore recognise the following subcategories:

Regional

1. 1. • Europe
      • Asia Pacific
      • Middle East & Africa
      • Americas

Departmental

1. 1. • Front-of-House
      • Kitchen
      • Stores / Admin / Logistics

Entry Submissions

While it is an almost impossible task to ‘judge’ the good deeds and well-meaning actions of people in general, this is an opportunity for the travel F&B industry to recognise and award such efforts and actions of employees during what has been a very challenging time. What is it that makes your employees and colleagues so priceless? How far have their actions reached? Please tell us in your own heartfelt words and share details that are soul inspiring and motivational.

The written summary component of entries should not exceed 1,000 words in total and should cover events that have taken place between January 2020 up to August 2021 (during the Covid pandemic).

Each written entry should include information under the following suggested headings:

1. 1. • Overview

Please define and describe who, what, why, where and when as succinctly as possible in a brief synopsis / introduction.

1. 1. • Scope & Reach

Questions to answer could be: Who was positively affected? How far reaching were their actions? What differences were made / felt? Was this external or internal within your business?

1. 1. • Measured Success

This can cover events such as happy customer service outcomes and results, how a new way of doing business was actioned company-wide as a positive example or even by providing evidence of quantifiable improvements in business.

1. 1. • The Exceptional

Please let us know why the nominee(s) deserves the award. What is it that makes them and their actions exceptional, outstanding and exemplary?

Award entries are being invited from today until the closing deadline of 10 September 2021.

All entries should also be validated by senior management – this can be done on the nomination portal.

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, will benefit from the FAB and Travel Retail Superstars awards programmes

Additionally, in line with the celebration of people and the good that we can do, profits from the Travel Retail & FAB Superstars Awards will go to charity, including Gavi – a global alliance that protects half the world’s children through vaccination. Since Gavi was established in 2000, its mission to save lives, reduce poverty and protect the world against the threat of epidemics has helped vaccinate more than 822 million children in 77 countries.

INTERNATIONAL. Lagardère Travel Retail, Duty Free Americas, Ever Rich Duty Free and Starboard Cruise Services are the latest big-name industry players to sign up as partners for the spectacular Retailer Emporium at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021.

The second edition of the global travel retail channel’s largest virtual trade event runs from 11-15 October 2021, followed by a six-week complimentary ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors. More information and registration details can be found at www.virtualtrexpo.com. Due to heavy demand, the deadline for booking a virtual stand is Monday 16 August. Each exhibitor has their own individual account manager from FILTR.QINGWA to offer comprehensive assistance in the virtual stand design, build and merchandising.

The companies above join Dubai Duty Free, Lotte Duty Free and Harding, previously named as Retailer Emporium exhibitors. Several other leading travel retailers have also confirmed their presence in principle and will be the subject of further announcements.

Retailer Emporium: A space for travel retailers to showcase their environments, key concepts and innovations to business partners, including airport companies and brand owners

As reported, organisers The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have developed a new bespoke virtual event platform for the 2021 event. The Retailer Emporium is a zone specially curated to allow selected travel retailers to showcase their environments, key concepts and innovations to their business partners, including airport companies and brand owners.

Other areas within the new-look universe include the Exhibition Pavilion, Knowledge Hub, Experience Area, Awards Stage, Cruise Jetty and Hainan Discovery zone. The latter will place the spotlight on Hainan Province’s offshore duty free players and the companies that service them. More details on this exciting development will appear in coming days.

Click on the video for a guided tour of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 

Registration to the new custom-built platform, via desktop, tablet or mobile, is free for all exhibitors and sponsors, airports authorities, airlines, cruise and ferry companies, retail and F&B operators, other airport service providers, trade associations and official media partners.

Registration for all other delegates is just US$250 for the live week and encore period. Retailers, airport management and other commercial operators who register are in with the chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car courtesy of Dubai Duty Free. Click here to register.

Representatives of many travel retailers, F&B concessionaires and airport companies (both multinational players and smaller independents) have signed up as delegates in recent days, among them Aer Rianta International, Areas, Changi Airport Group, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Delhi Duty Free, DFS Group, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, Duty Free Americas, Ever Rich Duty Free, Gebr Heinemann, Harding, Heathrow Airport, IPP Travel Retail, Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport, Lagardère Travel Retail, Lotte Duty Free, Malaysia Airports, Marshall Retail Group, Ontario International Airport Authority, Qatar Duty Free, SMP Concessions, Starboard Cruise Services, Tallink Duty Free and Uganda Duty Free Sales. More will be confirmed as they register in coming days and weeks.

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

Note: The booking deadline for exhibitors is one month away, 16 August.

A new virtual universe awaits: The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA have curated a premium platform that is cost effective and offers global reach

INTERNATIONAL. More leading names have joined a powerful speaker line-up for the Knowledge Hub for the second Moodie Davitt Travel Retail Virtual Expo, with others to be named in coming days. The event takes place on 11-15 October, with registration open and available here.

As reported, the Knowledge Hub will feature a diverse range of high-quality speakers under the pillar themes of the event: Lead. Inspire. Transform.

Positive perspectives: Virtual Travel Retail Expo visitors and exhibitors will hear a diverse range of views on how the industry progress post-pandemic. (Top row) Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker and Heathrow Airport Retail & Property Director Fraser Brown; (bottom row, from left) Women in Travel Thrive representatives Silvia Camarota and Mary Wyse; right, Areas CEO Óscar Vela

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker promises to be a major highlight, against the backdrop of the company’s continued investment in the airline network, Hamad International Airport and Qatar Duty Free’s expansion. As reported, Qatar Duty Free is marking its 21st anniversary this year in style by unveiling an enhanced retail portfolio of 21 new shopping and food & beverage outlets.

Qatar Duty Free is returning as a Diamond Partner of the 2021 event, and as co-host with The Moodie Davitt Report of The QDF Factor, a hugely popular addition to the inaugural programme in 2020.

Heathrow Airport Retail & Property Director Fraser Brown will assess the future for travel and travel retail at the UK’s leading airport post-pandemic and post-Brexit. Click here for the cover story from our most recent eZine, in which Fraser Brown takes an upbeat long-term view of our sector despite the current challenges.

This year’s Virtual Expo Knowledge Hub will carry a special focus on food & beverage, a critical element in the consumer experience. Among the confirmed speakers is Óscar Vela, Chief Executive of travel dining and retail specialist Areas. More will be named shortly.

As the full impact of the pandemic hit last year, Expedia Group Senior Director North American Market Management and Lodging Silvia Camarota, aided by a network of like-minded friends and associates, set up Women in Travel Thrive, with a mission to help reduce the impact that the crisis has had on women’s career progression.

Camarota and fellow Thrive member, Aer Rianta International Retail Analytics Manager Mary Wyse, will be key speakers within the Knowledge Hub programme. Click here for a recent interview with Silvia Camarota.

Lead. Inspire. Transform are the pillar themes for the Knowledge Hub at the Virtual Expo. Registration for the event is free to airport companies, retailers and media partners.

As reported, a high-calibre Knowledge Hub programme with a difference – and many new faces – is promised by organisers The Moodie Davitt Report and support partner FILTR.Qingwa. Each day will feature sessions dedicated to the Lead, Inspire and Transform themes, as noted above, with speakers drawn from both inside and outside the travel retail community.

Other outstanding speakers include Michael Schriver (left) and Phillip Nguyen, who are leading their respective company’s businesses in key Asian retail hotspots

Other speakers as reported include:

• Michael Schriver, President North Asia, Louis Vuitton (Speaking in a personal not corporate capacity): One of the most knowledgeable and respected voices in Asia’s luxury retail sector and former President Worldwide Store Operations and Chief Operating Officer at DFS Group.
• Phillip Nguyen, Chief Executive Officer at IPP Travel Retail and Vice President Business Development Imex Pan Pacific Group, Vietnam: Imex Pan Pacific has emerged as one of Asia’s most visionary corporations, with interests spanning luxury, retail, airport management, mixed-use leisure developments, food & beverage, technology, media and more.
• Ray Gaul, CEO and Co-founder at Retail Cities: Retail Cities is a global retail data and insights firm, primarily focused on fast growth industries and markets. It is the urban retail authority and our passion is addressing our clients’ business questions in retail with our expert, unbiased and fact based approach. Ray Gaul Ray is the former VP Retail Insights, EMEA at Kantar Consulting where he spent 20 years.

More additions will be named in coming days, with the full agenda published shortly.

The Knowledge Hub at the 2020 Virtual Expo received widespread praise for the depth and insight of its programme. It featured 42 Knowledge Hub sessions that attracted 30,051 views, and 32 Experience Hub sessions with 9,147 views.

As reported, all registered airport and retailer visitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. Participants are in with a chance to win tickets for the leading retailer’s popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draws and could capture the grand prizes of US$1 million or a luxury car respectively.

Click here to register for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021.

INTERNATIONAL. Virtual Travel Retail Expo organisers The Moodie Davitt Report and partner FILTR.QINGWA today jointly hosted an online masterclass that showcased the new bespoke virtual event platform that the two companies have jointly invested in.

It provided prospective exhibitors, sponsors and visitors with a guided tour of the digital experience that awaits the global industry on 11-15 October. We feature video highlights of the session on this page that explains the opportunity in detail.

Click on the video to view the Virtual Travel Retail Expo masterclass

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “Over the past year we’ve run three virtual expos, both inside and outside of travel retail, plus a host of well-received webinars. I’d like to think that our track record both as a publishing house and an event organiser is one of being innovators. We have a large and experienced team, between us at The Moodie Davitt Report, and FILTR.QINGWA, and the priceless advantage of very strong media to ensure support for our exhibitor partners.

“We believe we’ve taken the platform to a new level. We’ve invested in that because virtual is here to stay due to its reach and its cost-effectiveness, as a complement, not a replacement for physical events.”

FILTR.QINGWA Managing Partner Alex Cook took guests on tour of the Expo environment for 2021, including enhancements to the experience.

He said: “We have taken the learnings from last year, to create something that will take virtual events in the travel retail industry to a whole new level.

“On 11 October, the industry is invited, wherever they are based, from Auckland to Alaska, to log in and connect and join this virtual community we are bringing together all at one time. 11-15 October is the live week, followed by a six-week ‘encore’ period.”

He took visitors through the virtual experiences that complete the new-look universe, featuring zones such as the Exhibition Pavilion, Knowledge Hub, Experience Area, Awards Stage, Retailer Emporium, Hainan Discovery, Cruise Jetty, Press Centre and Help Centre.

A glimpse at the new-look virtual environment, which can be viewed in full in the video above.

The upgraded platform, while ensuring consistency from last year, takes the event to a new level of exhibitor and visitor convenience, experience and engagement. FILTR.QINGWA will curate the environment and provide end-to-end support and account management for all exhibitors.

New features and settings including:
• A single integrated platform
• Mobile-responsiveness
• China-friendly configuration
• Personalised event agenda
• Upgraded chat function, with video calling and screen-sharing features
• Integrated webcasting and live-streaming
• Real-time performance analysis
• 360 Virtual Reality environment capabilities
• Real-time suite access control for Platinum exhibitors
• Private stand set-up previewing

Registration

Organised by The Moodie Davitt Report and partner FILTR.QINGWA, registration for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 can be accessed via https://event.virtualtrexpo.com/registration/

In addition, all registered airport and travel retail representatives will also be automatically entered into two Dubai Duty Free prize draws each week from now until the start of the live event. The prizes? Tickets for the leading retailer’s iconic Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws with chances to win US$1 million or a luxury car respectively. Please register here.

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

INTERNATIONAL. Leading drinks group Beam Suntory is to return as a Platinum Partner at this year’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo, to be held on 11-15 October.

The company owns a host of blue-chip brands including Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek; Suntory whisky, The Yamazaki and Hibiki; Courvoisier; Sipsmith gin; Cruzan rum; Hornitos tequila and many others.

Phil Restall, Managing Director for Global Travel Retail at Beam Suntory, said: “Taking part in The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is an unmissable opportunity to support our ambition to become the recognised industry leader for showcasing brands, partnering with customers, and driving mutually beneficial growth during the COVID-19 recovery period and beyond.

“We were proud to be a partner for the inaugural Virtual Expo last year, and look forward to working with Martin and the team again this year to share exciting new innovations and demonstrate Beam Suntory’s holistic approach and commitment to global travel retail.”

Faster, stronger, together: A powerful mantra from Beam Suntory at its Virtual Travel Retail Expo suite in 2020

More exhibitors have hailed the opportunity presented by the second Virtual Expo, after the inaugural event in October 2020 attracted widespread industry acclaim.

Speaking for Miami-based beauty distributor Essence Corp, Vice President Sales Antoine Bona said: “Essence Corp is proud to announce that Bath & Body Works will participate in the Virtual TR Expo 2021. As the newly appointed Global Travel Retail Distributor we believe the Virtual Expo provides us with a great opportunity to present Bath & Body Works outside of the Americas and gauge business opportunities with new travel retail operators.”

On behalf of AuCoeurDuLuxe, a global leader in education for luxury and premium brands, President Laurence Ouaknine stated: “We are thrilled to join the Virtual Travel Retail Expo for another year. Last year’s edition was a great opportunity to meet our partners and build solutions that fit travel retail’s new trends.”

The Exhibition Hall continues to attract more partners, many returning for a second successive year. Forty companies, including retailers, airports, brands, agencies, and distributors have signed up with others poised to do likewise.

KEY IMPROVEMENTS TO VIRTUAL FORMAT

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks.

As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR. QINGWA are making several enhancements to the virtual platform used in 2020.

New features and settings including:

• A single integrated platform
• Mobile-responsiveness
• China-friendly configuration
• Personalised event agenda
• Upgraded chat function, with video calling and screen-sharing features
• Integrated webcasting and live-streaming
• Real-time performance analysis
• 360 Virtual Reality environment capabilities
• Real-time suite access control for Platinum exhibitors
• Private stand set-up previewing

Other key elements of the 2021 programme include:

• A six-week ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors at no additional cost;
• A dedicated Retailer Pavilion for airport, downtown, airline, rail and omnichannel retailers;
• A dedicated Cruise Jetty for cruise and ferry retailers
• An Experiential Arena, allowing companies which do not wish to exhibit, high-impact visibility opportunities;
• An enhanced Knowledge Hub programme over five days, featuring many of the sector’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators; and a dedicated Food & Beverage (FAB) component.

Recognising travel retail and food & beverage Superstars

This month, The Moodie Davitt Report announced the all-important awards categories for its Travel Retail Superstars Awards, a new initiative focused on the vital role of employees, which will take place during the second

The event will be hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report with support from FILTR.Qingwa, and organised in collaboration with a select advisory committee of human resource and training specialists. They include Marcus Griffin, Global Director of People & Culture at Flash Global Logistics in the US and from 2012 until 2020 SVP/Director – Human Resources, Americas & Caribbean at Dufry; and Heidi van Roon, President & Founder of the Spark Group of Companies in Canada, which provides a range of recruitment and staffing services for luxury & airport retailers and brands.

The Travel Retail Superstars Awards, covering employees across airport, airline, downtown store and cruise sectors, will shine the spotlight on the thousands of frontline and behind the scenes heroes and heroines who have helped keep the industry going throughout 2020 and into this year. A separate FAB (Food & Beverage) Superstars Awards will be conducted separately, also during the Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

INTERNATIONAL. Aer Rianta International (ARI) has been named as a key Knowledge Hub Partner for the eagerly anticipated Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 (11-15 October). The Irish state-owned travel retailer will sponsor the ‘Inspire’ pillar within the programme. Each day will feature sessions dedicated to the Lead, Inspire and Transform themes, with speakers drawn from both inside and outside the travel retail community, as reported.

ARI’s support lends further strong impetus to the all-digital event, which has attracted a growing number of brand and service companies as exhibitors, with the world’s leading travel retailers committed to attending with their management and buying teams.

ARI CEO Ray Hernan said: “We are delighted to be returning to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo for a second year as a key sponsor of the Knowledge Hub. The Knowledge Hub features many of the industry’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators and promises to be a valuable programme as we springboard our recovery.

“At ARI we are committed to inspiring our customers, our partners and our people on a daily basis and therefore it feels very fitting for us to be sponsoring the Inspire Pillar. We are very much looking forward to the event and are excited to see what the team at The Moodie Davitt Report have in store for us.”

The Knowledge Hub at the 2020 Virtual Expo received widespread praise for the depth and insight of its programme. It featured 42 Knowledge Hub sessions that attracted 30,051 views, and 32 Experience Hub sessions with 9,147 views.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo, a follow-up to the hugely successful 2020 event but with several critical enhancements (see below) is hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report with support partnership from FILTR.QINGWA. Under a unique Loyalty Scheme, returning exhibitors from 2020 receive a -10% discount on 2020 fees if they maintain the same stand tier as last year.

BUILDING ON THE VIRTUAL TRAVEL RETAIL EXPO 2020

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks.

The post-event survey revealed that 86% of exhibitors and 89% of visitors would return to Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021.

Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA delivered on their commitments to corporate social responsibility at the 2020 event. Proceeds funded 112 cleft operations through cleft charity The Smile Train; saw 4,250 trees planted via The Trinity Forest Project; and donated US$16,000 to ImpactHK, the 2020 designated charity year for Women in Travel Retail.

Recognising travel retail and food & beverage Superstars

This month, The Moodie Davitt Report announced the all-important awards categories for its Travel Retail Superstars Awards, a new initiative focused on the vital role of employees, which will take place during the second

The event will be hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report with support from FILTR.Qingwa, and organised in collaboration with a select advisory committee of human resource and training specialists. They include Marcus Griffin, Global Director of People & Culture at Flash Global Logistics in the US and from 2012 until 2020 SVP/Director – Human Resources, Americas & Caribbean at Dufry; and Heidi van Roon, President & Founder of the Spark Group of Companies in Canada, which provides a range of recruitment and staffing services for luxury & airport retailers and brands.

The Travel Retail Superstars Awards, covering employees across airport, airline, downtown store and cruise sectors, will shine the spotlight on the thousands of frontline and behind the scenes heroes and heroines who have helped keep the industry going throughout 2020 and into this year. A separate FAB (Food & Beverage) Superstars Awards will be conducted separately, also during the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (details later this week).

For more information about the Travel Retail Superstars Awards and/or the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

INTERNATIONAL. Lead. Inspire. Transform.

Three simple words encapsulate the focus of the Knowledge Hub programme at this year’s Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October) as the follow-up to last year’s pioneering industry event takes shape.

A high-calibre Knowledge Hub (conference) programme with a difference – and many new faces – is promised by organisers The Moodie Davitt Report and support partner FILTR.Qingwa. Each day will feature sessions dedicated to the Lead, Inspire and Transform themes, with speakers drawn from both inside and outside the travel retail community.

Next week we will reveal the first big-name sponsors of this event. The Knowledge Hub at the 2020 Virtual Expo received widespread praise for the depth and insight of its programme. It featured 42 Knowledge Hub sessions that attracted 30,051 views, and 32 Experience Hub sessions with 9,147 views.

Michael Schriver (left) and Phillip Nguyen: Leading their respective company’s business in key Asian retail hotspots

Speakers at the 2021 event will include:

• Michael Schriver, President North Asia, Louis Vuitton (Speaking in a personal not corporate capacity): One of the most knowledgeable and respected voices in Asia’s luxury retail sector and former President Worldwide Store Operations and Chief Operating Officer at DFS Group.
• Phillip Nguyen, Chief Executive Officer at IPP Travel Retail and Vice President Business Development Imex Pan Pacific Group, Vietnam: Imex Pan Pacific has emerged as one of Asia’s most visionary corporations, with interests spanning luxury, retail, airport management, mixed-use leisure developments, food & beverage, technology, media and more.
• Senior representative, Women in Travel Thrive: Women in Travel Thrive (WITT) is an inspirational movement founded by a group of women in the travel industry aiming to reduce the impact that COVID-19 has on women’s career progression.  WITT makes connections and opens doors for women across the hospitality industry by facilitating unique and valuable networking events.
• Ray Gaul, CEO and Co-founder at Retail Cities: Retail Cities is a global retail data and insights firm, primarily focused on fast growth industries and markets. It is the urban retail authority and our passion is addressing our clients’ business questions in retail with our expert, unbiased and fact based approach. Ray Gaul Ray is the former VP Retail Insights, EMEA at Kantar Consulting where he spent 20 years.

Ray Gaul’s presentation will be themed ‘The Contactless Paradox in Travel Retail’

“Cashierless stores are a scalable reality in today’s travel retail sector. Hudson in the USA has embraced Amazon’s ‘Just Walk Out’ technology,” Gaul says. “Other retailers are fast followers. Combined with the pandemic’s push to create contactless experiences for regulatory and sanitary reasons, retail zones in airports and tourist destinations might soon become ‘service from a distance’ environments.

“But wait just a moment. Businesspeople, tourists and adventurers often proclaim that what they love most about their journeys is the chance to meet and interact with locals, retail being the frontline in such interactions. This creates a paradox for retail designers, strategists, and workforces. How can we innovate to make travel retail convenient and sanitary while delivering experiences that guarantee visitors will return and promote each destination?

“In this session, Retail Cities will present some future retail scenarios using examples including those provided by Trigo, a cashierless store solution provider; the StoreLab, a virtual reality retail solution provider; and Brain Propaganda, a neuromarketing science team. The core question we all need to answer: How do we keep humanity at the heart of travel retail?”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are looking to shake up the standard industry conference format this year with a more diverse range of formats, professional backgrounds, geographic and ethnic backgrounds, and an appropriate gender balance. Each of our speakers will be renowned for their capability to lead, inspire or transform – sometimes all three.”

More names will be revealed in coming days.

Exhibitor line-up continues to strengthen

Meanwhile the Exhibition Hall continues to attract more partners, many returning for a second successive year. Forty companies, including retailers, airports, brands, agencies, and distributors have signed up with many more poised to do likewise.

BUILDING ON THE VIRTUAL TRAVEL RETAIL EXPO 2020

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks.

The post-event survey revealed that 86% of exhibitors and 89% of visitors would return to Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021.

Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA delivered on their commitments to corporate social responsibility at the 2020 event. Proceeds funded 112 cleft operations through cleft charity The Smile Train; saw 4,250 trees planted via The Trinity Forest Project; and donated US$16,000 to ImpactHK, the 2020 designated charity year for Women in Travel Retail.

Recognising travel retail and food & beverage Superstars

Last week, The Moodie Davitt Report announced the all-important awards categories for its Travel Retail Superstars Awards, a new initiative focused on the vital role of employees, which will take place during the second

The event will be hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report with support from Virtual Expo digital, design and communications agency partner, FILTR.Qingwa, and organised in collaboration with a select advisory committee of human resource and training specialists. They include Marcus Griffin, Global Director of People & Culture at Flash Global Logistics in the US and from 2012 until 2020 SVP/Director – Human Resources, Americas & Caribbean at Dufry; and Heidi van Roon, President & Founder of the Spark Group of Companies in Canada, which provides a range of recruitment and staffing services for luxury & airport retailers and brands.

The Travel Retail Superstars Awards, covering employees across airport, airline, downtown store and cruise sectors, will shine the spotlight on the thousands of frontline and behind the scenes heroes and heroines who have helped keep the industry going throughout 2020 and into this year. A separate FAB (Food & Beverage) Superstars Awards will be conducted separately, also during the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (details later this week).

For more information about the Travel Retail Superstars Awards and/or the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

INTERNATIONAL. Several more leading brand houses have joined a growing and powerful line-up of exhibitors for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021. As reported, the event has been moved to 11-15 October to avoid any clash with the TFWA World Exhibition, a key physical show due to take place in Cannes (24-28 October), health situation permitting.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo, a follow-up to the hugely successful 2020 event but with several critical enhancements (see below) is hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report with support partnership from FILTR.QINGWA. Under a unique Loyalty Scheme, returning exhibitors from 2020 receive a -10% discount on 2020 fees if they maintain the same stand tier as last year.

After a successful virtual debut in 2020, Bacardi Global Travel Retail (GTR) will return as a Platinum Partner. The company is also exhibiting at the TFWA World Exhibition, underlining the complementary nature of the two events.

Bacardi Global Travel Retail adopted a highly proactive approach to engaging with visitors at the 2020 Virtual Travel Retail Expo, notably with this competition to win a bottle of the superb Speyside single malt whisky Craigellachie 33 Year-Old.

Bacardi GTR enjoyed a high-profile presence at the 2020 Expo, including a retailer competition (pictured above) and compelling Engagement Lounge session (see video below) in which renowned drinks journalist and commentator Becky Paskin spoke with Bacardi Malts Brand Ambassador Matthew Cordiner and Dewar’s Brand Ambassador Fraser Campbell about the Bacardi whisky portfolio of Dewar’s, Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, Aultmore, Royal Brackla and Glen Deveron.

The speakers examined recent trends in whisky and assessed how the spirits company is looking to capitalise on them. The Engagement Lounge will once again be a highlight of the 2021 Expo.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are delighted with the growing support our event is receiving, and particularly encouraged by the return of so many exhibitors from our pioneering 2020 Expo.

“It’s also good to see an industry leader such as Bacardi Global Travel Retail and vibrant independents like Duty Free Global supporting both our event and TFWA World Exhibition. This underlines the complementary rather than competitive nature of the two shows.

“Health situation permitting, the Cannes show will allows suppliers and retailers to meet face to face again at last, while the Virtual Travel Retail Expo will reach out to industry stakeholders all around the world and stimulate interaction via a digital setting. Both events will play a key role in the channel’s recovery.”

Bacardi GTR is joined by a stellar peer group across multiple categories. French wellness brand L’Occitane is also returning to the Expo, this time in an upgraded Platinum Partner capacity, after being one of the most-visited exhibitors at the 2020 event.

L’Occitane’s dazzling virtual offer and commitment to the planet shone through as brightly as its colourful products at the 2020 Virtual Travel Retail Expo

Another returning partner, Proximo Spirits, said: “We are delighted to showcase our leading portfolio of premium tequila, Irish whiskey and rum brands at this year’s Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. This opportunity allows us to present our travel retail portfolio in an exciting way, showcasing how we plan to bring new launches and brand activations to life across the channel in the next 18 months.”

Proximo Spirits makes a welcome return to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo in 2021, having offered a compelling showcase of its eclectic brand portfolio last year

In a major boost to the event, family-owned fragrance & cosmetics distributor Essence Corp makes its debut at the Expo this year, following a strong showing at the recent Summit of the Americas — A Virtual Experience, also created by The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA on behalf of trade associations ASUTIL and IAADFS.

Essence Corp made its virtual exhibition debut in great style at the recent Summit of the Americas

Essence Corp’s strong presence in border stores in the Americas and the Caribbean has helped the company weather the COVID-19 storm

Duty Free Global returns as a Platinum Partner, showcasing its diverse range of wines and spirits from around the world. The company enjoyed a particularly impactful 2020, thanks to a highly pro-active approach to engaging with retailers in the lead-up to the event and a dynamic and immersive experience during it.

Duty Free Global’s footprint truly lives up to the company’s name

Chief Operations Officer Nathalie Roelands said: “The Duty Free Global team is delighted to represent their brands again during The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, after being part of last year’s inaugural edition.

“We are committed to supporting both physical and virtual travel retail exhibitions. We look forward to being part of the new Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail edition and are very excited to show a reopening travel retail world what novelties we have to offer.”

Whyte & Mackay Travel Retail Director Richard Trimby said: “We are delighted to be taking part once more in the Virtual Travel Retail Expo from The Moodie Davitt Report. Last year this event provided a much-needed platform to bring the industry together during one of our toughest times and hopefully this year’s event can be the springboard for our recovery.

“At Whyte & Mackay we are confident in the continued long term potential and importance of the Single Malt category in travel retail market. We are ready to share our vision for the category and a series of initiatives and innovations to drive growth with our impressive stable of brands.

“But none of us can do this alone. The last year has shown the importance of coming together and taking a united approach. I look forward to the partnerships and friendships which we can renew, and the new collaborations we will form, at this year’s Expo.”

Other recent exhibitor sign-ups include Shiseido Travel Retail; Stoli Group; Duty Free Global; Ferrero Travel Market; Nestlé International Travel Retail; AuCoeurDuLuxe; International Beverage Group; Ahmad Tea; 2.0 & Partners and KT International.

As reported, Qatar Duty Free is returning as a Diamond Partner (and co-host with The Moodie Davitt Report of The QDF Factor, see below), while Philip Morris International (PMI), Diageo and Nasdaq-listed iClick Interactive Asia Group are once again Platinum Partners.

One Red Kite, Peuch & Besse, Stoli, Shannon Retail Innovation and Zegna are all returning after successful Expo debuts last year and Dubai Duty Free, Lotte Duty Free and Harding are among those companies that will exhibit in the spectacular new Retailer Emporium.

KEY IMPROVEMENTS TO VIRTUAL FORMAT

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks.

As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR. QINGWA are making several enhancements to the virtual platform used in 2020.

New features and settings including:

• A single integrated platform
• Mobile-responsiveness
• China-friendly configuration
• Personalised event agenda
• Upgraded chat function, with video calling and screen-sharing features
• Integrated webcasting and live-streaming
• Real-time performance analysis
• 360 Virtual Reality environment capabilities
• Real-time suite access control for Platinum exhibitors
• Private stand set-up previewing

Other key elements of the 2021 programme include:

• A six-week ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors at no additional cost;
• A dedicated Retailer Pavilion for airport, downtown, airline, rail and omnichannel retailers;
• A dedicated Cruise Jetty for cruise and ferry retailers
• An Experiential Arena, allowing companies which do not wish to exhibit, high-impact visibility opportunities;
• An enhanced Knowledge Hub programme over five days, featuring many of the sector’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators; and a dedicated Food & Beverage (FAB) component.

THE QDF FACTOR IS BACK – BIGGER AND BETTER

In what promises to be one of the big highlights of the 2021 event, The QDF Factor sees a repeat of last year’s acclaimed competition to drive and reward industry innovation through a six-month listing with Qatar Duty Free and a complimentary US$50,000 advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.

All entrants this year will also receive a complimentary advertisement and related editorial in a special QDF Factor eZine. More details of the 2021 programme including nomination details will be released soon.

The Virtual Travel Retail Experience will also feature the first-ever Travel Retail Superstars Awards & Knowledge Programme, championing frontline and other staff in our sector who have helped keep a stricken sector going throughout the pandemic. Category details will be announced next week.

Dubai Duty Free is offering two prize draws each week in the run-up to the event, offering the chance for registrants to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire draw or a luxury car in the Finest Surprise draw.

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

INTERNATIONAL. The second Virtual Travel Retail Experience, run by The Moodie Davitt Report with support partner FILTR.QINGWA and set for 11-15 October, is attracting further support from leading brand owners and service providers from across the travel retail industry.

The latest names to confirm their presence include leading confectionery houses Ferrero Travel Market and Nestlé International Travel Retail; AuCoeurDuLuxe, a global leader in education for luxury and premium brands; premium drinks company International Beverage Group and independent tobacco group KT International. Many more exhibitor agreements are at an advanced negotiation stage.

As reported, Qatar Duty Free is returning as a Diamond Partner (and co-host with The Moodie Davitt Report of The QDF Factor, see below), while Philip Morris International (PMI), Diageo and Nasdaq-listed iClick Interactive Asia Group are once again Platinum Partners.

One Red Kite, Peuch & Besse, Stoli, Shannon Retail Innovation, Whyte & Mackay and Zegna are all returning after successful Expo debuts last year and Dubai Duty Free, Lotte Duty Free and Harding are among those companies that will exhibit in the spectacular new Retailer Emporium.

Other confirmed exhibitors include Ahmad Tea and 2.0 Partners with others already agreed and due to be announced in coming days.

Under a unique Loyalty Scheme, returning exhibitors from 2020 receive a -10% discount on 2020 fees if they maintain the same stand tier as last year. Additionally, there is a -10% Early Bird incentive for new and returning exhibitors and sponsors booking by 4 June.

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks.

KEY IMPROVEMENTS TO VIRTUAL FORMAT

As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR. QINGWA are making several enhancements to the virtual platform used in 2020.

The two companies have jointly invested in an upgraded platform which, while ensuring consistency from last year, will take the event to a new level of exhibitor and visitor convenience, experience and engagement. FILTR.QINGWA will curate the environment and provide end-to-end support and account management for all exhibitors, plus a series of online masterclasses in the lead-up to the event to help exhibitors leverage the virtual platform to the maximum potential.

New features and settings including:

• A single integrated platform
• Mobile-responsiveness
• China-friendly configuration
• Personalised event agenda
• Upgraded chat function, with video calling and screen-sharing features
• Integrated webcasting and live-streaming
• Real-time performance analysis
• 360 Virtual Reality environment capabilities
• Real-time suite access control for Platinum exhibitors
• Private stand set-up previewing

Other key elements of the 2021 programme include:

• A six-week ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors at no additional cost;
• A dedicated Retailer Pavilion for airport, downtown, airline, rail and omnichannel retailers;
• A dedicated Cruise Jetty for cruise and ferry retailers
• An Experiential Arena, allowing companies which do not wish to exhibit, high-impact visibility opportunities;
• An enhanced Knowledge Hub programme over five days, featuring many of the sector’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators; and a dedicated Food & Beverage (FAB) component.

THE QDF FACTOR IS BACK – BIGGER AND BETTER

In what promises to be one of the big highlights of the 2021 event, The QDF Factor sees a repeat of last year’s acclaimed competition to drive and reward industry innovation through a six-month listing with Qatar Duty Free and a complimentary US$50,000 advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.

All entrants this year will also receive a complimentary advertisement and related editorial in a special QDF Factor eZine. More details of the 2021 programme including nomination details will be released soon.

The Virtual Travel Retail Experience will also feature the first-ever Travel Retail Superstars Awards & Knowledge Programme, championing frontline staff in our sector who have helped keep a stricken sector going throughout the pandemic.

The event, combining an awards ceremony and a people-centric Knowledge Hub programme focused on the vital role of staff, will be a core element at the event. Categories and nomination procedure will be revealed soon.

Dubai Duty Free is offering two prize draws each week in the run-up to the event, offering the chance for registrants to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire draw or a luxury car in the Finest Surprise draw.

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

One year on from curating this spectacular showcase at Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020, Diageo will again be playing a leadership role at the 2021 event

A dedicated zone for cruise retail will feature in the updated environment for 2021, with Harding among those to take virtual space

Philip Morris International returns as a Platinum Partner to showcase its range of reduced-risk products

A packed Knowledge Hub programme will see the integration of The Moodies – travel retail and aviation’s only social and digital media awards and workshop – together with a dedicated digital, communications and advertising workshop. The Moodies this year will be extended to cover the whole travel ecosystem.

INTERNATIONAL. The second Virtual Travel Retail Experience, run by The Moodie Davitt Report with support partner FILTR.QINGWA and set for 11-15 October is trending strongly with almost 20 exhibitors signed up and many more at an advanced negotiation stage.

As reported, Qatar Duty Free is returning as a Diamond Partner (and co-host with The Moodie Davitt Report of The QDF Factor, see below), while Philip Morris International (PMI), Diageo and Nasdaq-listed iClick Interactive Asia Group are once again Platinum Partners.

One Red Kite, Peuch & Besse, Stoli, Shannon Retail Innovation, Whyte & Mackay and Zegna are all returning after successful Expo debuts last year and Dubai Duty Free, Lotte Duty Free and Harding are among those companies that will exhibit in the spectacular new Retailer Emporium.

Other confirmed exhibitors include Ahmad Tea and 2.0 Partners with others already agreed and due to be announced in coming days.

Under a unique Loyalty Scheme, returning exhibitors from 2020 receive a -10% discount on 2020 fees if they maintain the same stand tier as last year. Additionally, there is a -10% Early Bird incentive for new and returning exhibitors and sponsors booking by 4 June.

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks.

KEY IMPROVEMENTS TO VIRTUAL FORMAT

As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR. QINGWA are making several enhancements to the virtual platform used in 2020.

The two companies have jointly invested in an upgraded platform which, while ensuring consistency from last year, will take the event to a new level of exhibitor and visitor convenience, experience and engagement.

FILTR.QINGWA will curate the environment and provide end-to-end support and account management for all exhibitors, plus a series of online masterclasses in the lead-up to the event to help exhibitors leverage the virtual platform to the maximum potential.

New features and settings including:

• A single integrated platform
• Mobile-responsiveness
• China-friendly configuration
• Personalised event agenda
• Upgraded chat function, with video calling and screen-sharing features
• Integrated webcasting and live-streaming
• Real-time performance analysis
• 360 Virtual Reality environment capabilities
• Real-time suite access control for Platinum exhibitors
• Private stand set-up previewing

Other key elements of the 2021 programme include:

• A six-week ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors at no additional cost;
• A dedicated Retailer Pavilion for airport, downtown, airline, rail and omnichannel retailers;
• A dedicated Cruise Jetty for cruise and ferry retailers
• An Experiential Arena, allowing companies which do not wish to exhibit, high-impact visibility opportunities;
• An enhanced Knowledge Hub programme over five days, featuring many of the sector’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators; and a dedicated Food & Beverage (FAB) component.

THE QDF FACTOR IS BACK – BIGGER AND BETTER

In what promises to be one of the big highlights of the 2021 event, The QDF Factor sees a repeat of last year’s acclaimed competition to drive and reward industry innovation through a six-month listing with Qatar Duty Free and a complimentary US$50,000 advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.

All entrants this year will also receive a complimentary advertisement and related editorial in a special QDF Factor eZine. More details of the 2021 programme including nomination details will be released soon.

The Virtual Travel Retail Experience will also feature the first-ever Travel Retail Superstars Awards & Knowledge Programme, championing frontline staff in our sector who have helped keep a stricken sector going throughout the pandemic.

The event, combining an awards ceremony and a people-centric Knowledge Hub programme focused on the vital role of staff, will be a core element at the event. Categories and nomination procedure will be revealed soon.

Dubai Duty Free is offering two prize draws each week in the run-up to the event, offering the chance for registrants to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire draw or a luxury car in the Finest Surprise draw.

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

One year on from curating this spectacular showcase at Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020, Diageo will again be playing a leadership role at the 2021 event

A dedicated zone for cruise retail will feature in the updated environment for 2021, with Harding among those to take virtual space

Philip Morris International returns as a Platinum Partner to showcase its range of reduced-risk products

A packed Knowledge Hub programme will see the integration of The Moodies – travel retail and aviation’s only social and digital media awards and workshop – together with a dedicated digital, communications and advertising workshop. The Moodies this year will be extended to cover the whole travel ecosystem.

 

INTERNATIONAL. Industry support is growing for The Moodie Davitt Report’s Virtual Travel Retail Experience, currently set for 18-22 October. The all-digital event – which follows up on last year’s hugely successful Virtual Travel Retail Expo – has been rebranded from ‘Expo’ to ‘Experience’ to reflect the wider range of activities it will encompass.

These include The QDF Factor – repeating last year’s acclaimed competition to drive industry innovation – and the first-ever Travel Retail Superstars Awards & Knowledge Programme, championing frontline staff in our sector (more on both initiatives below).

The event will again include an array of interactive and immersive Engagement Lounge sessions and a high-profile thought leadership programme in the Knowledge Hub. The Moodie Davitt Report has once again partnered with Stand & Experience Partner FILTR.QINGWA to curate the environment and to provide end-to-end support and account management for all exhibitors.

In the latest show of support from a major travel retailer, Dubai Duty Free will take its place in a new Retailer Emporium, an exhibitor showcase with spaces dedicated to some of the world’s leading travel retailers. Dubai Duty Free has also committed to attending the Virtual Travel Retail Experience with its full management and buying teams.

The retailer will also once again be offering two prize draws each week in the run-up to the event, offering the chance to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire draw or a luxury car in the Finest Surprise draw.

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are delighted to once again support the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, now Experience, following its successful inaugural run last year. We are happy to hear about some of the new developments for this year and excited to showcase our brand in greater detail as we welcome participants and visitors to the new Retailer Emporium. The whole Dubai Duty Free executive team and our purchasing team are in full support and ready to meet the exhibitors at the Expo.”

Lotte Duty Free, the Korean number one travel retailer and world number two, is also exhibiting, as is leading cruiseline concessionaire Harding and event Diamond Partner Qatar Duty Free/Hamad International Airport.

Other exhibitors confirmed to date include Platinum Partners Diageo and Philip Morris International; plus Ahmad Tea, Harding, iClick Interactive, Lotte Duty Free and One Red Kite with others to be named in coming days.

One year on from curating this spectacular showcase at Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020, Diageo will again be playing a leadership role at the 2021 event

A dedicated zone for cruise retail will feature in the updated environment for 2021, with Harding among those to take virtual space

Other major travel retailers to have committed their teams to attending include Dufry, King Power Group (HK) and King Power International, Aer Rianta International and Duty Free Americas.

In what promises to be one of the big highlights, as noted above, Qatar Duty Free returns as an event Diamond Partner and will reprise The QDF Factor – a unique competition to incentivise innovation, offering a grand prize of a six-month listing with the acclaimed travel retailer in 2022 and a complimentary six-month US$50,000 advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.

The Knowledge Hub programme will see the integration of The Moodies – travel retail and aviation’s only social and digital media awards and workshop – together with a dedicated digital, communications and advertising workshop. The Moodies this year will be extended to cover the whole travel ecosystem.

In addition, the first-ever Travel Retail Superstars Awards & Knowledge Programme will place the spotlight on the thousands of frontline and behind the scenes heroes and heroines who have helped keep a stricken sector going throughout the pandemic.

The event, combining an awards ceremony and a people-centric Knowledge Hub programme focused on the vital role of staff, will be a core element at the event.

The Virtual Travel Retail Experience will feature improvements in the critical areas of buyer-seller interaction and engagement, including integrated video chat, a streamlined conference programme plus other innovations.

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).

Other key elements include:

• A unique Loyalty Scheme for returning exhibitors from 2020, who will receive a -10% discount on 2020 fees if they maintain the same stand tier as last year;
• -10% Early Bird incentive for new and returning exhibitors and sponsors booking by 4 June;
• A six-week ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors at no additional cost;
• A dedicated Retailer Pavilion for airport, downtown, cruise, airline, rail and omnichannel retailers;
• An Experiential Arena, allowing companies which do not wish to exhibit, high-impact visibility opportunities;
• An enhanced Knowledge Hub programme over five days, featuring many of the sector’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators; and a dedicated Food & Beverage (FAB) component.

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020 was the major industry event of a troubled year; the 2021 Virtual Travel Retail Experience will build on that success with enhancements to increase engagement and interaction

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks. The conference and workshop agenda was packed with 42 sessions and received over 30,000 session views. Elsewhere in the event, the Experience Hub hosted 41 sessions, hosted by exhibitors themselves, with 9,140 views.

The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA delivered on their commitments to corporate social responsibility at the 2020 event. Proceeds funded 112 cleft operations through cleft charity The Smile Train; saw 4,250 trees planted via The Trinity Forest Project; and donated US$16,000 to ImpactHK, the 2020 designated charity year for Women in Travel Retail.

INTERNATIONAL. Following extensive consultation with travel retail and aviation sector stakeholders, The Moodie Davitt Report is pleased to announce that the 2021 Virtual Travel Retail Experience will take place from 11-15 October 2021, followed by a six-week complimentary ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors.

The Moodie Davitt Report has retained integrated creative agency FILTR.QINGWA as its Virtual Expo Stand and Experience Partner, supporting participants through the company’s operations in China, France, Singapore and the UK.

The 2021 Virtual Travel Retail Expo will build on the success of the October 2020 event, with several breakthrough improvements planned around the areas of buyer-seller interaction, a streamlined conference programme and an enhanced platform for Chinese visitors.

[Click on the YouTube icon to view highlights from last year’s successful Virtual Travel Retail Expo]

The Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021 will see the return of Qatar Duty Free as a Diamond Event Partner (confirmed this morning by Qatar Duty Free), including an enhanced version of The QDF Factor – a unique competition to incentivise innovation with a grand prize of a six-month listing with the acclaimed travel retailer in 2022 and a complimentary six-month US$50,000 advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report. Full details soon.

Additionally, The Moodie Davitt Report is in talks with other key industry partners to become involved in the event – more to follow in coming days, along with news about our landmark 2021 exhibitors.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder and Chairman Martin Moodie commented, “We are delighted to release details of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, which has been formulated in line with a fast-evolving and deeply uncertain industry landscape. Our chosen dates deliberately avoid conflict with physical events such as TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes in September – which we are fully supportive of – and steer clear of any major national and religious holidays.”

Other key elements of the October event include:

• • A unique Loyalty Scheme for returning exhibitors from 2020, who will receive a -10% discount on 2020 fees if they maintain the same stand tier as last year;
  • -10% Early Bird incentive for new and returning exhibitors and sponsors booking by 1 May;
  • A dedicated Retailer Pavilion for airport, downtown, cruise, airline, rail and omnichannel retailers;
  • An Experiential Arena, allowing companies which do not wish to exhibit, high-impact visibility opportunities;
  • An enhanced Knowledge Hub programme over five days, featuring many of the sector’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators;
  • A strong CSR element, which will see one tree planted for each visitor via The Trinity Forest Project and other charitable causes supported;
  • The addition of the long-established Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards, making a return after one year’s absence due to the pandemic;
  • The integration of The Moodies – travel retail and aviation’s only social and digital media awards and workshop – which becomes part of the programme, together with a dedicated digital, communications and advertising workshop. The Moodies this year will be extended to cover the whole travel ecosystem.

SCENES FROM THE VIRTUAL TRAVEL RETAIL EXPO 2020

Moodie added, “All participants – exhibitors, sponsors, visitors and media – have the commitment of my team, and our outstanding partners at FILTR.QINGWA, that this event will be inspirational, memorable and productive in equal parts, providing excellent return on investment.

“We are harnessing all the unique learnings and best practice from our 2020 show to create even more diverse and enriching content, engagement and showcasing platforms, while responding to the budgetary pressures faced by all sector stakeholders with cost-conscious and highly-accessible pricing structures.”

For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com).

BUILDING ON THE VIRTUAL TRAVEL RETAIL EXPO 2020

The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks. The conference and workshop agenda was packed with 42 sessions and received over 30,000 session views. Elsewhere in the event, the Experience Hub hosted 41 sessions, hosted by exhibitors themselves, with 9,140 views.

The post-event survey revealed that 86% of exhibitors and 89% of visitors would return to Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, with around 50% of the respondents suggesting October was the best timing for a virtual event of this kind.

Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA delivered on their commitments to corporate social responsibility at the 2020 event. Proceeds funded 112 cleft operations through cleft charity The Smile Train; saw 4,250 trees planted via The Trinity Forest Project; and donated US$16,000 to ImpactHK, the 2020 designated charity year for Women in Travel Retail.

INTERNATIONAL. Three more senior travel retail executives, from 3Sixty Duty Free, Gebr Heinemann and King Power International Co (Thailand) are in with a chance to win US$1 million or a luxury car following the latest Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo prize draws in association with Dubai Duty Free.

Melica Monti, Director of Fragrance & Cosmetics at 3Sixty Duty Free, has won a ticket for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw and could now capture the US$1 million prize.

Gebr Heinemann Head of Buying Wine, Sparkling Wine & Champagne, Beer & Soft Drinks Sven Thiele goes into the Finest Surprise draw with the opportunity of winning a luxury car.

As one of our recent winners has left their company, and cannot take their place in the draw, this week we are awarding a third ticket to one of our Virtual Expo retailer delegates. King Power International Senior Officer, Merchandising Kingkanok Pipatsomran was randomly chosen and now goes forward to Dubai Duty Free’s next Finest Surprise prize draw.

With less than three weeks to go until the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, there is still time for retailers and airports to register for free, and be in with a chance of winning US$1 million or a luxury car courtesy of Dubai Duty Free

Dubai Duty Free, the world’s biggest single airport travel retail business, is offering registered Expo visitors multiple opportunities to win grand prizes in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws. As reported, all registered retailers, buyers and airport executives will have the chance to win a ticket for the two immensely popular draws every Friday between now and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, which is due to commence on 12 October.

To register and qualify for each prize draw in the run-up to the event, please click here.

Our weekly draws are conducted through an online random name generator. In the event of any individual winning an ultimate grand prize, it can be donated to charity if a company policy precludes accepting individual benefits.

Over the past 20 years, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion has changed the lives of 332 winners and their families. Seven lucky individual winners have won twice. The Finest Surprise Promotion is now in its 30th year, making it the longest-running duty free promotion in the world.

The SEVA Group – one of just three Diamond Partners at the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo (12-16 October) alongside China Duty Free Group and Qatar Duty Free – is leveraging the event to make an emphatic statement about its heady ambitions in the channel.

In a compelling interview with Martin Moodie to be published in coming days, Founder & Chairman Severino Pušić spells out those ambitions, while today we present a sneak preview of the group’s presence at the event and meet The SEVA Group Virtual Travel Retail Expo team.

Here’s a taster of the Severino Pušić interview:

Martin Moodie: Severino, for those in travel retail who don’t know you or your company, they might have been surprised to see The SEVA Group up there as a Diamond Partner alongside industry heavyweights China Duty Free Group and Qatar Duty Free at the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo. That is quite some statement. They might be a little less surprised, of course, when they read that your intention is to be an industry top 20 retailer within five years. That’s a lofty ambition. How serious are you about it?

Severino Pušić: “I think you know us as a group long enough and well enough to know that we always are serious about our intentions. To have a vision, an idea and a goal is one thing but achieving it is another. There are many things that have to pull in the right place at the right time to achieve something. But, yes, we are ambitious and very serious.”

In the interview, Pušić talks about the values and the people that drive the business. Today The SEVA Group embraces travel retail (supply, distribution and retail), local market distribution and real estate. Founded in 1997 from origins as a liquor and tobacco wholesaler in the Balkans, The SEVA Group has emerged as a powerful international force, with operations in Panama, Australia and Dubai, and a global distribution centre in Croatia.

Its first duty free store, which opened in 2018 in Metković, on the Croatian road border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of many planned through both organic growth and acquisitions.

The SEVA Group is also a brand owner, producing 200,000 cases of fine wine per year through the Rubis winery in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also has the exclusive distribution rights to Samsonite brands in Middle East travel retail through specialist subsidiary Organico Travel Retail (Organico Solutions), led by The SEVA Group IMEA Managing Director Roger Jackson.

[The SEVA Group invites delegates to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo to visit the Rubis winery, virtually of course]

SEVA IBP Managing Director Laura Klingeman

The Moodie Davitt Report: We have seen SEVA IBP growing strongly in the last few years. Tell us about the business and the strategy that has driven this success.

SEVA IBP was established to offer brand owners the best possible route to market for their products and to deliver solid execution at the point of purchase.

Laura Klingeman: We operate every day with a commitment to creating value for brand owners, shoppers and retailers

We are true to The SEVA Group values of partnership and trust, and it’s this way of working that really has driven the growth. Fundamentally we operate every day with a commitment to creating value for brand owners, shoppers and retailers.

Most recently that value has come from a real back to basics approach, stripping out complexity and being ultra-responsive to the rapidly changing demands of each of these groups, and of course innovating were needed.

What are you most looking forward to at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo?

After such a prolonged period of instability, our priority is to connect and support, in order to build the much-needed momentum for the recovery period we are now in.

We are excited to see the elements of travel retail that have at times been overlooked recently. For example, beautiful brand plans, engaging innovation and a raft of new ideas that will accelerate us all into the next generation of travel retail.

Organico Travel Retail General Manager Natalie Jackson

Natalie Jackson: Massive commitment and unwavering belief in the future of travel retail

As the creative lead on the Virtual Expo, tell us about The SEVA Group’s commitment to travel retail. What drives this?

Consumers have shifted their behaviour in so many ways during the last seven months, but the key trends we have observed only cement our belief that travel retail is a critical platform for brands to engage and excite shoppers.

We will of course, all need to innovate to make this a continued reality, and for Organico and The SEVA Group, part of this innovation is showing just how disruptive we can be in the virtual world with our trade show presence.

What is your major focus at the event? 

Primarily to show our massive commitment and unwavering belief in the future of travel retail.

We know brand owners are considering how they operate in our new reality so, for me, really demonstrating how we have got the tools and capability to build brands and create meaningful and sustainable value is essential.

For sure, we will be sharing case studies where we have doubled revenue and share for our partners by totally re-thinking the traditional model.

We look forward to meeting brand owners and retailers alike, who are interested in our proven approach to brand building and distribution.

Vina Rubis General Manager Oliver Mandarić

Oliver Mandarić: World-class wines with a regional twist

Oliver, you are in charge of a fascinating side of The SEVA Group’s business. Tell us about the Vina Rubis winery, which has won numerous awards but might not be known to a wider travel retail audience.

The story begins with the Mandarić family in Vionica, a small Herzegovian village between Mostar and Medjugorje.

The Mandarićs have a deep history of winemaking and viticulture. Their quest for winemaking perfection was embodied in my uncle, Mate Mandarić, who founded the origial winery. Sadly Mate passed away but his dreams of creating world-class wines with a regional twist lived on.

In 2014, The SEVA Group took ownership of the winery, appointing me as a key part of the leadership team, to ensure that the legacy and craft of my uncle was preserved. They brought a passion for innovation and huge ambition to accelerate the winery into the future. They invested heavily in our equipment and supported commitment to quality, meaning we were able to take our beautiful products to a much larger audience.

Today, the winery produces some of the region’s best vintages. We use oak barrels for ageing and still have our small cellar in which the Rubis story began.

Vina Rubis is regarded as the fastest-growing premium wine in the region. What are the keys to that success?

As an authentic regional brand steeped in history, locals, visitors and international consumers enjoy our crafted products.

We work tirelessly to deliver superlative production standards, owning every step of the wine making process. We blend traditional methods and state-of-the-art technology; we own the vineyards, grapes and winery and literally leave nothing to chance. We are meticulous in our pursuit of excellence every day.

SEVA Travel Retail General Manager Nikolas Brkić

Nikolas Brkić: The real success of the store is how we retail and service the customers

The SEVA Group moved into direct retail in 2018 and has made a big impact within the travel retail industry as a result. What are the key factors behind that success? 

We have a great location on the border of Croatia, close to a UNESCO World Heritage site. This area has massively accelerated its popularity with tourists from across the globe.

However, location is only one part. The real success of the store is how we retail and service the customers. And that includes curated ranges of international and local products, expertly merchandised. Everything we do is centred on world-class customer service and ease of shop.

What’s next for SEVA Travel Retail?

Expansion is the next logical step for our business. We believe the team has built significant capability in this area and this concept is now ready to be rolled out to more locations.

As we expand our footprint, we are really keen to partner with more brand owners as we know every location will have its unique requirements – we intend to use the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo to catalyse new relationships.