INTERNATIONAL. As momentum builds behind the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, leading brands in the confectionery & food sector have confirmed their support as exhibitors.

The unique 5-day ‘live’ event, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October. It features a star-studded series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative.

Retailers and their buyers can visit The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo free of charge from anywhere in the world without having to leave their desks

The latest exhibitor bookings from the confectionery & food category include Mondelez World Travel Retail, Nestlé, Ferrero Travel Market and Loacker, with others to be named soon.

Mondelez World Travel Retail Managing Director Jaya Singh said: “Seeing the unfortunate constraints to the organisation of traditional physical spaces and key events, we need to find alternative ways to gather and bring people together. The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is an excellent alternative and, at Mondelez World Travel Retail, we are looking forward to our participation in such a purpose-driven digital event. We believe in its inspiring concept to bring our global community together and drive innovation as we continue down the road to recovery for the confectionery category with our partners.”

Nestlé International Travel Retail General Manager Stewart Dryburgh said: “At the Trinity Forum last October Nestlé advocated the power of virtual events to engage a wider audience across our global community; given the current business environment this is therefore a most timely initiative. As such, Nestlé is delighted to be once again partnering with The Moodie Davitt Report on another pioneering venture.

“Our industry has always proved to be resilient and so, even in these challenging times, Nestlé believes in its future and so retains the ambition to grow the food & confectionery category to US$10 billion by the end of the decade. In the Virtual Travel Retail Expo we will share our exciting plans with the aim of kickstarting category growth in 2021. We will achieve this by continuing to build on the very latest in consumer insights and executing in-store with our valuable retail partners, leveraging our SOUL framework.”

Ferrero Travel Market General Manager Sergio Salvagno said: “The Ferrero Travel Market team always looks forward to meeting friends, colleagues and partners at the annual trade shows where we can share experiences, thoughts, ideas about business and non-related business.

“Unfortunately the recent situation will not help the industry to organise a big short term live event, but the solution is to participate in the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo at which we will be able to host our partners in a new way: a digital experience. After having discussed for some time how to improve the digital experience for shoppers it is time for the entire industry to finally take this step. We thank Moodie Davitt for taking the initiative in these difficult times.”

Loacker Head of Duty Free & Travel Retail Juan Miguel Cabrera said: “COVID-19 has taught us that virtual encounters are a great way to continue engaging with our partners. This event will give us that opportunity. 2020 will be remembered for our missing social gatherings around the globe. For Loacker 2021 is a very important year; being present in this event will help us to show our colleagues in travel retail our exciting news for 2021.”

More confirmed names across all categories will be announced shortly.

As reported, many leading travel retailers have committed to attending the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, and to sending their management and buying teams.

These include Aer Rianta International, China Duty Free Group, CNSC, DFS Group, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, Duty Free Americas, Ever Rich Duty Free, Harding, Gebr Heinemann, King Power Group (HK), King Power International (Thailand), King Power Traveler, Lagardère Travel Retail, Landmark Management Services, Lotte Duty Free, Qatar Duty Free, Regent Travel Retail Group, Shenzhen Duty Free, Starboard Cruise Services and 3Sixty Duty Free.

Since registration opened late last week, they have already been joined by a host of independent retailers such as AWPL, DR Group (Malaysia), Focus Network Agencies, JR-Heinemann (Israel), Little Switzerland, Mauritius Duty Free Paradise, Montenegro Duty Free, Tourvest and others.

Among the numerous airport participants, many registered in the last few days, are AGS Airports (Aberdeen, Glasgow, Southampton), Aeroporti di Roma, Bangalore Airport, Cairns Airport, Dubai Airports, Edmonton Airport, Fraport Brazil, Fraport TAV Antalya, Heathrow Airport, Lima Airport Partners, Maldives Airports Co, Northern Capital Gateway (St. Petersburg Pulkovo), Ontario International Airport (California), Pittsburgh Airport, Rio Galeão Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Toronto Pearson International and others.

China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners. More support across all Partner levels will be announced shortly.

As reported this week, omnichannel retailer KrisShop has signed as a Platinum Partner, joining Beam Suntory; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; Parfums Christian Dior; Whyte & Mackay; Shiseido Travel Retail; Clarins and Duty Free Global. More will be announced shortly.

China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners of the event.

An Association Lounge, Help Centre and Press Centre are among the latest features to be added to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo list of services

COMMENTS FROM PLATINUM PARTNERS (MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY)

*For more information or to register, click here.

SINGAPORE. Omnichannel retailer KrisShop has signed as a Platinum Partner for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, one of the biggest names yet to sign up for the pioneering digital event.

KrisShop is a three-way joint venture between Singapore Airlines (70%), Miami-based travel retailer 3Sixty Duty Free (15%) and ground services provider SATS (15%), formed in March 2018. Last year KrisShop was relaunched as a fully-fledged omnichannel ecommerce and lifestyle portal – a capability that sees it particularly well positioned in a fast-evolving sector landscape.

The easily navigable Virtual Travel Retail Expo includes the Knowledge Hub, Exhibition Hub and Experience Hub. Buyers will be able to navigate the Exhibition Hub without leaving their desks. Note the newly created Association Lounge.

“KrisShop is excited to be part of such a transformational event. As we embark on an omnichannel journey in travel retail, we embrace the values of digitalisation and innovation that the Virtual Travel Retail Expo represents,” said Chris Pok, who heads KrisShop as Shopkeeper.

The unique 5-day ‘live’ event, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative. The hugely ambitious digital project is the culmination of over 3,000 man and woman hours from The Moodie Davitt and FILTR teams over the past three months. FILTR, an integrated design and communications agency, has conceived the virtual environment and easily navigable user experience. The company will be providing account management and stand curation services to every exhibitor.

The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie said: “Premium events attract premium partners while innovative breakthroughs require the support of innovation leaders. There are few if any players in our industry that have so shaped a high-quality omnichannel vision or seized the opportunity as KrisShop has. I had the honour of attending the KrisShop relaunch at Raffles Hotel in Singapore last August, when the company curated a pop-up exhibition divided into several experiential zones, each showcasing a different retail feature of KrisShop.com.

“It was an enthralling experience, including an immersive and experiential tour, and the unveiling of initiatives such as Project 60, which enables customers to order merchandise up to 60 minutes before departure out of Singapore with delivery to their seats. I can’t wait to see what Chris Pok and his team have got planned to show at our Virtual Travel Retail Expo.”

Early bird rates for exhibitor bookings expire on 1 June. The Moodie Davitt Report will be revealing a powerful and diverse line-up of confirmed exhibitors this week with many more agreements set to be finalised in coming days.

China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners of the event. Platinum Partners to date (more will be announced this week) include Beam Suntory; Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail; Parfums Christian Dior; Whyte & Mackay; Shiseido Travel Retail; Clarins; and Duty Free Global.

[Click on the YouTube icon to see how leading players are supporting the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo]

From left to right: KrisShop CEO and Shopkeeper Chris Pok; The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie; Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong; and KrisShop Chairman Campbell Wilson pose for a social media photoshoot during the relaunch of KrisShop last August

Click here to visit KrisShop@Home, whose latest concept store launched in April is curated with items to enhance #stayhome moments during the Singaporean lockdown

Click on the image above to read The Moodie Davitt eZine’s on location report of the KrisShop relaunch in 2019

About KrisShop

KrisShop is an omnichannel retailer. Starting out as Singapore Airlines’ inflight duty free shop, it has since evolved beyond the inflight catalogue with a flagship ecommerce and lifestyle portal, following a joint venture between Singapore Airlines, ground handler SATS, and duty-free retailer 3Sixty (previously DFASS Group) created in November 2018. Anchored by its DNA of service excellence, KrisShop is committed to deliver “impeccable experiences with unrivalled quality and value”.

[Click on the YouTube icon to view the relaunch of KrisShop last year]

INTERNATIONAL. Impressive new exhibitor and visitor facilities and an extension of the event’s extensive Corporate Social Responsibility Programme have been unveiled for the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

The unique 5-day ‘live’ event, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of activities across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative. Early bird rates for exhibitor bookings expire on 1 June.

The event has been created by The Moodie Davitt Report together with its official Virtual Stand & Experience partner FILTR. The integrated design and communications agency has conceived the virtual environment and user experience, and will be providing account management and stand curation services to every exhibitor.

New additions created this month include a Help Centre to talk all visitors through the Virtual Experience and to provide around-the-clock assistance; and the Association Lounge, including extensive facilities made available free of charge to key trade associations to enable them to promote their events, services, policies and membership drives and chat live with industry members.

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) and South American Duty Free Association ASUTIL have already embraced the initiative and all key trade associations such as TFWA, ACI, the Duty Free World Council, ETRC, IAADFS and others are welcome.

In related news, FILTR has pledged to donate 5% of all design fees from the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020 to ImpactHK (link to https://impacthk.org/) – the 2020 nominated charity of Women in Travel Retail (WiTR). ImpactHK (scroll down for full details) joins cleft charity Smile Train and Moodie Davitt sustainability initiative The Trinity Forest Project as beneficiaries of the event.

Additionally, a multi-dimensional Press Centre has also been introduced. The Moodie Davitt Report is inviting selected, high-quality B2B and B2C media houses and journalists to become Preferred Media Partners, while also encouraging (through a soon to be appointed official agency) leading KOLs.

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020 Press Centre is hosted and managed by FILTR. This is a complimentary service for all exhibitors and their representatives, as well as registered press on a pre-approved basis. The Moodie Davitt Report is working closely with selected B2B and B2C titles as preferred media partners; together with a specialist agency to bring selected KOLs to the event.

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020 Press Centre is hosted and managed by FILTR. This is a complimentary service for all exhibitors and their representatives, as well as (approved) registered press. FILTR Account Manager (and former Moodie Davitt Senior Editor Helen Pawson) has been appointed Press Office Manager.

Silver, Gold and Platinum exhibitors will benefit from the following services:

• Press Resource Library: Each exhibitor may display up to 200MB of press material (releases, images, videos etc.) for access by the registered press.
• Press Database: Each exhibitor will have access to the press database to make contact and schedule on-stand meetings, including notifications of which members of the press are online at any moment during the Expo.
• Media Rack: Virtual Travel Retail Expo preferred media partners will be displaying their show issue e-magazines inside the Press Centre. Exhibitors can view and download these free of charge.
• Live Updates: Push messages will be sent out to notify delegates of activities taking place in the Expo. Exhibitors can utilise this service to make a wider audience aware of their live activities.
• Live Chat: Instant messaging with a dedicated Press Centre Manager for any media queries, questions or issues.
• Social Media Live: A live stream of conference hashtags across LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram (hosted within the Press Centre environment).
• Reporting: Each exhibitor will receive a post-event report of which members of the press downloaded their material from the Press Resource Library.

Preferred Media Partners will also benefit from complimentary services, including:

• Expo Press Materials: Frequent and timely pre-, during and post-event press releases and communication.
• Press Conferences: Opening and closing Expo virtual press conference and individual exhibitor’s events.
• Press Resource Library: Unlimited downloads of the exhibitor press material.
• Interview Rooms: Scheduling and facilitation of live interviews with non-exhibitor delegates, subject to agreement of all parties.
• Live Updates: Push messages will be sent out to notify press of activities taking place in the Expo. Exhibitors can utilise this service to make press aware of their live activities.
• Live Chat: Instant messaging with a dedicated Press Centre Manager for any media queries, questions or issues.
• Social Media Live: A live stream of conference hashtags across LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram (hosted within the Press Centre environment).

Preferred Media Partners to date include Jing Daily and Jing Travel, Larry Warsh’s acclaimed multi-lingual B2B and B2C titles for the Chinese luxury, shopping, travel retail and tourism sectors; popular Chinese WeChat consumer platform Globuy and Jason Cao’s Shanghai-based Duty Free Expert.

Among the travel retail specialists, Lois Pasternak’s Travel Market Insider; and Hibah Noor’s Americas, Asia & Gulf-Africa Duty Free & Travel Retailing Magazine have also signed as Preferred Media Partners, committed not only to help raise awareness of the Expo but also of the individual exhibitors’ activities.

Both Lois and Hibah devoted extensive coverage to the event in their most recent editions, highlighting the fact that they will now each be able to offer an October ‘Show issue’ to their readers, who will simply have to click on the respective front covers in a well signposted dedicated media area.

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is already generating extensive publicity in the travel retail B2B press. We will also be working closely with B2C partners, leading Chinese media houses, and KOLs.

Alex Smith’s highly rated Global Drinks Intel is the Preferred Partner in B2B drinks media. And Peter Marshall of Marshall Arts (and founder of popular, influential and sometimes irreverant travel retail website TRUnblocked) will be providing film services to exhibitors who require them at special Expo rates.

The much-respected Global Drinks Intel is a Preferred Media Partner for the key drinks sector

Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020 to support the WiTR 2020 charity: ImpactHK Official Virtual Stand & Experience Partner FILTR has pledged to donate 5% of all design fees from the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020 to ImpactHK (link to https://impacthk.org/) – the 2020 nominated charity of Women in Travel Retail (WiTR). ImpactHK supports homeless in Hong Kong with a particular focus on women and the aged. Females on the streets, as in many other cities, are particularly vulnerable and susceptible to abuse and attack. Alex Cook: In tough times like these the most vulnerable in society often become even more isolated” The charity aims to provide a rehabilitative support programme that is entirely holistic in its approach, offering: counselling, financial advice, mentorship, nutritional advice, physical activity, language learning and job opportunities. WiTR is raising funds this year to help create an emergency shelter where women can be housed in a safe place until more permanent housing can be found. Alex Cook, FILTR Co-Founder & Managing Director, said: “In tough times like these the most vulnerable in society often become even more isolated. FILTR is pleased to bring our support to some of those most in need, through the excellent work of ImpactHK.” Jeff Rotmeyer, Founder of ImpactHK, commented to WiTR: “We are truly grateful to the travel retail community for supporting our charity and the important work we do in ensuring that dozens of homeless females are given a safe place off the streets. Together with your support we will save more lives and give women a happy, healthy future.” Spirit of Hong Kong nominee Jeff Rotmeyer. Photo credit: Xiaomei Chen (Source: South China Morning Post)

Further strong CSR credentials

As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report is to fund a life-changing cleft operation performed by international charity Smile Train for every exhibitor at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

Smile Train has supported over 1.5 million cleft surgeries since 1999. Every five minutes Smile Train-supported cleft treatment helps a child in need. Some 200,000 babies are born every year with cleft lips and/or palates. US$250 funds the cost of the 45-minute cleft surgery that transforms the life of a child – and that of his or her family.

Underlining the Virtual Travel Retail Expo’s CSR and eco-friendly credentials (no travel involved, no shipping, no stand construction or breakdown, no product wastage etc), The Moodie Davitt Report will also be planting one tree for each registered buyer as part of The Trinity Forest Project – a tree-planting initiative we unveiled at The Trinity Forum in Doha last October.

The Trinity Forest Project: One tree will be planted for each registered buyer who attends the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo

INTERNATIONAL. More leading travel retailers and airport companies have joined the wave of industry support for the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, as registration opens.

The unique 5-day ‘live’ event, followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register) begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of events across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative. Early bird rates for exhibitor bookings expire on 1 June.

Retailers and their buyers can visit The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo free of charge from anywhere in the world without having to leave their desks. China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners of the event. Several further major announcements will be made this week.

Retailers and airports will not have to spend a single cent in attending – registration is free, and the virtual format means no travel & entertainment nor accommodation costs, and no time lost from the office.

Duty Free Americas (DFA) President Leon Falic said: “Our management team and buyers look forward to attending and visiting our valued brand partners at Virtual Travel Retail Expo, all without having to leave the office.”

Starboard Cruise Services President & CEO Lisa Bauer (who will also be a speaker at the Symposium) said: “Times like these spur innovation and creativity, and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo & Symposium is a great platform for industry engagement. We see great value in our participation.”

Starboard and DFA join other leading travel retailers that have recently committed to attending the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, and to sending their management and buying teams. These include Aer Rianta International, China Duty Free Group, CNSC, DFS Group, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, Ever Rich Duty Free, Harding, Gebr Heinemann, King Power Group (HK), King Power International (Thailand), King Power Traveler, Lagardère Travel Retail, Landmark Management Services, Lotte Duty Free, Qatar Duty Free, Regent Travel Retail Group, Shenzhen Duty Free and 3Sixty Duty Free.

They are bolstered by numerous airport participants including Heathrow, Dubai Airports, Fraport TAV Antalya, Heathrow, Ontario International Airport (California), Toronto Pearson International and many others.

INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Davitt Report is proud to officially launch the first-ever Virtual Expo in the travel retail sector.

Delegate registration has just opened for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, a unique 5-day ‘live’ event followed by a 30-day showcase (click here to register). It begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. Registration is free for buyers and exhibitors and preferred media partners. #VirtualTRExpo

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo features a star-studded series of events across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative. Early bird rates for exhibitor bookings expire on 1 June.

Welcome to a trade show like no other in industry history

The Moodie Davitt Report has partnered with Singapore and London-based FILTR, a travel retail specialist agency, providing design and communications services for a wide range of industry players. As official Virtual Stand & Experience Partner, FILTR has created an EXPO team to support all exhibitors in maximising the potential of the event.

FILTR’s large in-house creative department, consisting of 3D/interior, graphic and digital designers, will help bring each exhibitor’s vision for their digital stand to life. Within the Exhibitor Package, FILTR will be on hand to lead exhibitors through all aspects of preparing their stands.

The easily navigable Virtual Travel Retail Expo includes the Knowledge Hub, Exhibition Hub and Experience Hub. Buyers will be able to navigate the Exhibition Hub without leaving their desks. Note the newly created Association Lounge.

The Expo also features an outstanding programme in the Knowledge Hub, featuring some of the biggest names in the business. The programme will be spread across the full five days, and will include keynote presentations, live and pre-recorded interviews, workshops, motivational addresses and much more.

Fast-growing Seva Group is a landmark partner of the event

The Experience Hub will host several virtual lounges for networking and engagement with visitors beyond the Exhibition Hub.

Available to all exhibitors, the Engagement Lounge features four platforms to launch, promote and educate about products through virtual masterclasses, tastings and demonstrations. Either live or pre-recorded, these 30-minute segments will be streamed to a global audience, including the option to invite a number of KOLs and category influencers, plus B2B and B2C press.

For more information on participating in the Virtual Launch Pad, Virtual Bar, Virtual Foodie Corner and Virtual Beauty Studio platforms, please reach out to us at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com.

China Duty Free Group and The SEVA Group are Diamond Partners for the event. An outstanding array of Platinum, Gold and Silver Partners will be named over coming days with inquiries pouring in before the 1 June ‘Early bird’ rates expire.

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2020 Press Centre is hosted and managed by FILTR. This is a complimentary service for all exhibitors and their representatives, as well as registered press on a pre-approved basis. The Moodie Davitt Report is working closely with selected B2B and B2C titles as preferred media partners; together with a specialist agency to bring selected KOLs to the event.

“This is among the proudest days in our company’s 18-year history,” said The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie. “In the space of just two months we have gone from a conceptual notion to a cutting-edge yet easily navigable Virtual Expo that offers accessibility, cost efficiency, measurable ROI for exhibitors, outstanding lead generation and relationship building. It is a premium event for a premium audience.

“The FILTR and Moodie Davitt teams have moved mountains to make this all happen in such a short time. Now we can focus on working with our exhibitor partners to curate a high-quality Expo experience and to maximise awareness of the event among the retailer and airport community worldwide. Today, for once, Virtual became reality.”

For more details please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com or Gemma Aldridge at Gemma@MoodieDavittReport.com #VirtualTRExpo

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the first event to be created by the newly formed Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo Company. Click on the icon to view the latter’s launch.

MEET THE DEDICATED TEAMS BEHIND THE FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL TRAVEL RETAIL EXPO

The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce that fast-growing wines & spirits agency brand partner Duty Free Global has become a Platinum Partner at the pioneering Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

The Expo – which takes the form of a ‘live’ 5-day event followed by a 30-day showcase – begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of events across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative. Early bird rates for exhibitor bookings expire on 1 June.

Duty Free Global Founder Barry Geoghegan expressed his delight at taking part, saying the Virtual Expo “will encourage us all to develop new tools of passenger engagement in a changing world. Our brand partners are 100% behind this innovative approach to exhibitions and conferencing. Well done and thank you to the Moodie Davitt team.”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are thrilled that Duty Free Global, such a champion of the wine category in particular, is joining us on this journey, as we enter a new world of opportunity for brands to connect with their retail partners.”

The easily navigable Virtual Travel Retail Expo includes the Knowledge Hub, Exhibition Hub and Experience Hub. Buyers will be able to navigate the Exhibition Hub without leaving their desks. Note the newly created Association Lounge.

Duty Free Global joins a growing list of names from the world of wines & spirits at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Already announced as Platinum Partners are Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, Beam Suntory Global Travel Retail and Whyte & Mackay. The SEVA Group, which is prominent in wines & spirits brand distribution and brand ownership (and is also a travel retailer), is a Diamond Partner.

In wines & spirits, other partners include Stoli Group (Gold), Loch Lomond, Barton & Guestier-Patriarche-Listel and Wild Tiger Beverages (Silver), with further announcements of sector leaders, craft distillers and others imminent.

Stoli Group Global DF/TR Director Jean-Philippe Aucher said: “While the whole industry has been collecting bad news over the past months, we all know that there will be a before COVID-19 and an after COVID-19, characterised by new ways of thinking, buying or even travelling. But in any case innovation and capacity to quickly adapt to such changes remain key.

“The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the perfect illustration of innovative initiatives and game changers for our industry. Stoli Group is delighted to participate in this exciting event, allowing us to showcase our novelties with the latest technological tools to buyers from all around the world.”

Loch Lomond Global Travel Retail Managing Director André de Almeida said: “In these unprecedented times, the Loch Lomond Group remains committed to global travel retail. Our range of Scotch whiskies have performed strongly since their introduction to the channel three years ago and we are confident that travellers will continue to look for innovation and diversity of offer once they start travelling again.

“We look forward to engaging with retailers worldwide as part of the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo. I personally believe that this type of initiative will lead to a future where we continue to meet in person during conferences and exhibitions, with the added facilities and services provided virtually, creating a new hybrid format for the channel.”

Barton & Guestier – Patriarche – Listel Sales & Marketing Director Philippe Marion said: “We are thrilled to be part of this new way of showcasing our products and meeting our customers and prospects online. In these troubled times, we are very happy to support our travel retail community and help find solutions together. Virtual Fairs and meetings are key for keeping on building our 300-year old brand and we are looking forward to this first Virtual Travel Retail Expo.”

Wild Tiger Beverages Founder Gautom Menon said: “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and the call has been answered by the progressive Moodie Davitt team. We at Wild Tiger Beverages are thrilled to take a leap into the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo. We believe this initiative to be a much needed one, that would benefit suppliers, regardless of their geographies or size. It will be a true ‘homecoming’ of the travel retail industry.”

A Virtual Bar in the Experience Hub allows brands to offer curated experiences for buyers and/or press and KOLs

Note: To discover more about the Moodie Davitt Travel Retail Virtual Expo, please email Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com or Gemma Aldridge at Gemma@MoodieDavittReport.com.

Notes on Duty Free Global

Duty Free Global (DFG) is a specialised wines and spirits agency brand partner that offers expertise and resources. It has developed a diversified, carefully selected portfolio of outstanding brands for clients in the duty free and travel retail market. The company has extensive route to market knowledge, an expert understanding of the needs of duty free retailers in this highly specialised channel, and is a flexible and long term partner.

DFG is currently working with Beau Joie Champagne, Grande Chais de France (wines), Paul Sapin (wines), Taylors (wines), BABCO (multiple brands), The East India Company (gin), Drumshanbo Gunpowder (gin), Gold Bar (whiskey), Hunter Laing (whisky), Neptune (rum), Sazerac (multiple brands) and Samrus (cream liqueurs).

More reaction from wines & spirits partners about the Virtual Travel Retail Expo

The Diamond Partner status is a major statement of positioning and intent by Severino Pušić and The SEVA Group, which harbours ambitions to be in the top 20 travel retailers over the next five years.

While enjoying strong ecommerce, the Swedish brands has kept frontline COVID-19 doctors and nurses in bright socks and found its space in space.

“This is an opportunity to showcase our brand in a completely new way while continuing to advance a growing digitalised world,” says the French premium beauty house which becomes the latest powerful brand to support a breakthrough event.

The Moodie Davitt Report is seeking a Project Champion for its forthcoming Beauty Inclusive Virtual Expo. The event, scheduled for Q4 2020, is a ground-breaking initiative from the newly formed Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo Company.

“The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is an inspiring initiative, which is embracing the power of digitalisation to meet the evolving needs of our global industry,” says Shiseido Travel Retail President & CEO Philippe Lesné.

INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Davitt Report today unveils a new enterprise charged with driving the company’s diversification through a portfolio of Virtual Expos dedicated to both trade and consumer audiences.

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo Company stemmed from an internal programme called Project Aoraki, designed to explore new opportunities in the face of revenues (though neither demand nor traffic) being hit by the COVID-19 crisis.

Aoraki (3,754 metres or 12,360 feet above sea level) is the highest mountain in The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie’s homeland of New Zealand. In the Maori language the name means ‘Piercing through clouds’, perfect symbolism for an initiative designed to scale new heights and break through the dark clouds of COVID-19.

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo Company builds on the successful launch of the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo to be held in October. That pioneering event features three key platforms – the Knowledge Hub, the Exhibition Hub and the Experience Hub.

It has attracted hugely encouraging support from the travel retail community. China Duty Free Group last week became the first Diamond Partner (with another to be announced this week) while Shiseido Travel Retail, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail and Beam Suntory are the inaugural Platinum Partners revealed to date.

Further confirmed Platinum, Gold and Silver Partners will be named in coming days.

The subsequent events to be launched across Q4 2020 and Q1 2021 are:

• Wellbeing World Virtual Expo – a consumer and trade event dedicated to the burgeoning world of wellbeing products & services, from spas and leisure to food and drink; from nutraceuticals to traditional Chinese medicine; all related to themes of physical and mental health.

• Beauty Inclusive Virtual Expo – another consumer and trade first, covering the diverse world of beauty products and services from fragrance to makeup and skincare; from professional products to haircare.

• World of Spirits Virtual Expo – from whisk(e)y to Cognac; Armagnac to Aquavit; Gin to Grappa; and much more besides. Once more targeted at both consumer and trade audiences.

• Followed by a rolling programme of new and established Expos and Symposiums throughout 2021.

To underpin this ambitious roll-out, The Moodie Davitt Report has struck a partnership with Singapore headquartered integrated retail design, marketing, and communications agency FILTR for future Virtual Expos. FILTR, a best-in-class company across all aspects of retail design and brand communication, will provide individual account management for every exhibitors’ Virtual Stand & Experience, curating all Expo environments, installations, and activations to the highest order.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “This is a landmark day in our company’s 18-year history as we mark our rapid evolution from a pure play travel retail publisher, research and events company into a diversified virtual and physical events enterprise, supported by a growing business and consumer research arm, and of course our core publishing activities, both within (and in months to come) outside travel retail.

“It is our intention to be the world’s premier company in the Virtual Expo space, hosting a series of high-class global or regional Expos for trade and consumer audiences; as well as category- and company-specific events and symposiums.

“We’re very excited to have FILTR join us on this journey. Their work on the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo has been extraordinary, helping us take the initial concept of a Virtual Expo in under two months to a high-class yet easily navigable suite of environments, formats, and experiences.

“Despite the constraints of COVID-19 lockdown, they have worked day and night with us to overcome every obstacle, and to create a fantastically premium experience befitting the image of our industry. The joint knowledge we have gained together will prove priceless as we set out on our next hugely exciting development phase.”

FILTR Co-Founder and Managing Director Alex Cook said: “FILTR embarked on the virtual Expo journey with The Moodie Davitt Report as a necessary redefinition of our business in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

“We quickly discovered genuine and widespread appetite for virtual platforms, which are the perfect application of FILTR’s integrated design, digital, marketing and communications skillsets.

“Working with the Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo Company on a broader range of virtual expos will underpin our long-term growth within and beyond the travel retail channel.”

(Above and below) Strength in depth, strength in numbers and strength in complementary skill-sets. The Moodie Davitt and FILTR teams have forged a collective expertise in just two months that will underpin a new growth period for both companies.

Adele Wolstenhulme named World Wellbeing Expo Director

Adele Wolstenhulme: “Never has there been a more critical time to be health-empowered as people, and wellbeing-focused as companies”

Each of the new Expos will have a Project Director, working alongside the Moodie Davitt and FILTR teams. On World Wellbeing, The Moodie Davitt Report has appointed Adele Wolstenhulme, a practising clinical Psycho-neuro-immunologist, nutrition consultant and metabolic balance coach as Wellbeing Director.

Adele is regularly consulted by professional bodies and associations to run international and UK-based exhibitions and practitioner training events, and to consult on the development of ‘food as medicine’ menus. Partners have included The Institute for Functional Medicine, the Alliance for Natural Health International and The British Association of Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy.

Adele, who consulted for The Moodie Davitt Report in 2018, worked as Editor in Chief of Travel Retailer International at Euromoney from 1997 to 2007, where she was also Director of Events and Senior Vice President Business Development, RFH Consumer Insight. She has worked with the BBC and Sky Sports and in 1994 won the Barnett Janner Travel Scholarship in Politics to work as a reporter in post-apartheid South Africa.

She said: “I feel honoured to have been asked by Martin to lead the innovative inaugural Wellbeing World Virtual Expo. This is truly groundbreaking, and for me personally bridges the gap between my early career experience in aviation and international travel retail, and the past 16 years as a consultant and qualified practitioner in health & wellbeing and functional & lifestyle medicine, respectively.

“I’ve always believed that health is a birthright. But it’s clear we’re simply not designed to cope with the ‘weird’ environment we are now living in, as seen through the lens of human evolution. As if the chronic disease burden we’ve been grappling with for the past few decades wasn’t enough – throw in a global pandemic and healthcare systems around the world are visibly buckling under the strain. Never has there been a more critical time to be health-empowered as people, and wellbeing-focused as companies.”

“Besides her expertise and network within the wellbeing space, Adele is a dynamic individual with a tremendous ability to identify and realise new business opportunities,” said Martin Moodie. “I worked with her closely for several years at Euromoney. She is driven, passionate and offers a rare mix of ethics, entrepreneurialism and commercial pragmatism.”

Further associates to the company’s forthcoming events will be named soon.

For any enquiries please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com

INTERNATIONAL. Further top names have joined a powerful speakers line-up for the Symposium part of the inaugural Moodie Davitt Travel Retail Virtual Expo.

“Ours is a premium show featuring premium speakers as well as cutting-edge digital technology,” said The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie. “At a pivotal time for the aviation, tourism and travel retail sectors, we are honoured by the presence of some of our industry’s most influential voices.”

The Expo – which takes the form of a ‘live’ 5-day event followed by a 30-day showcase – begins on 12 October (dates chosen to avoid clashes with the key Chinese and Jewish holidays immediately preceding it). It features a star-studded series of events and experiences across the five days, including the Symposium, category workshops and new consumer research findings.

The easily navigable Virtual Travel Retail Expo includes the Knowledge Hub, Exhibition Hub and Experience Hub. Buyers will be able to navigate the entire Expo without leaving their desks.

The Symposium and Workshops will feature a variety of new and sometimes groundbreaking formats. They will be played out across all days and multiple time zones to maximise attendance and add vibrancy to the Expo. Attendance is free to exhibitors, retailers/buyers and preferred press partners.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, with Martin Moodie before the 2019 Trinity Forum in Doha

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and China Duty Free Group President Charles Chen will both be delivering presentations. Damazo Group Founder Oana Damian and Partner Muriel Zingraff (former Retail Concessions Director at Heathrow Airport), will deliver their view on where airport commercial services are headed in the post-COVID-19 era. That theme will be echoed in a compelling visual presentation from The Design Solution Founder & Director Robbie Gill on the airport of the future.

A dedicated cruise retail session with hear from Starboard Cruise Services President & CEO Lisa Bauer, Harding Managing Director James Prescott and other speakers to be named soon. A similar focus on inflight retail, both traditional and omnichannel will be led by the leader of KrisShop’s highly successful ecommerce-to-inflight business Chris Pok and Kian Gould, Founder of travel retail’s leading digital services provider AOE.

The event will also examine how retail promotions are likely to evolve in the new industry landscape through the expert eyes of Heidi Van Roon, Founder and CEO of Spark Business Services Group in Vancouver, a best-in-class staffing and recruitment firm for luxury retail, specialised in the airport environment.

The Expo is also working closely with most leading trade associations to help them in their efforts to drive industry recovery. Sunil Tuli, President of the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) and Group Chief Executive of King Power Group Hong Kong will draw on his decades of experience in travel retail to identify the key tenets that are needed to underpin any long-term recovery. ASUTIL Secretary General José Luis Donagaray will apply a similar lens to the South American market.

As previously reported, Philippe Schaus, CEO of Moët Hennessy, the Wines and Spirits division of LVMH (and former DFS Group CEO) will deliver a keynote presentation in the form of a filmed interview with Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail CEO Mohit Lal, one of the leading figures in the Trinity discussions of recent years and an arch advocate of digitalisation, premiumisation, channel exclusivity and enhanced stakeholder partnership.

Three of the most progressive airport retail executives, all well-advanced in their omnichannel thinking, will feature: Fraser Brown, Retail Director; Auckland Airport General Manager Retail & Commercial Richard Barker; and Eugene Barry, Executive Vice President – Commercial at Dubai Airports.

Damazo Group Founder Oana Damian (left) and Partner Muriel Zingraff (former Retail Concessions Director at Heathrow Airport), will deliver their view on where airport commercial services are headed in the post-COVID-19 era.

Lagardère Travel Retail CEO Dag Rasmussen, another progressive voice in the Trinity debate, will offer his view via a live interview of a changing landscape and how stakeholders can better partner to grow the pie.

A dedicated cruise retail session will hear from Starboard Cruise Services President & CEO Lisa Bauer (left) while delegates will also hear how retail promotions are likely to evolve in the new industry landscape through the expert eyes of Heidi Van Roon, Founder and CEO of Spark Business Services Group in Vancouver

These speakers will be joined by Bain & Company Italy Partner Mauro Anastasi and Jack MacGowan, Director at Castlepole Consulting in Ireland and former CEO of Irish state-owned Aer Rianta International, who together produced an important paper called ‘COVID-19: A New World for Airports’, which formed the original discussion points for the just-launched Trinity Initiative.

Virtual visitors from all over the world will be able to view the presentations at times to suit their own agendas while also visiting the show.

“What really excites us at Whyte & Mackay is the digital possibilities that the Expo will offer, giving us permission to break new creative boundaries,” says Whyte & Mackay Travel Retail Director Richard Trimby.

CHINA/INTERNATIONAL. In major breaking news, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has become the inaugural Diamond Partner of the first Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

The Expo – which takes the form of a ‘live’ 5-day event followed by a 30-day showcase, will now switch into October to follow the key Chinese Golden Week holidays. The live Expo, which features a star-studded series of events across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and new consumer research findings, begins on 12 October.

Charles Chen: “CDFG believes that more creativity, openness and collaboration is needed in the middle of crisis to share experiences and overcome the difficulties. It is the pioneering Virtual Expo in the industry and we look forward to meeting our friends virtually, and wish the Expo a great success”

CDFG President Charles Chen, who is also President of China International Travel Service, said: “Many thanks to Moodie Davitt’s efforts – it is they who give us the opportunity to reunite online during such special times.

“As a Diamond Partner of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo & Symposium, CDFG plans to bring our senior management and buying teams to visit the exhibitors and to attend the symposium sessions.

“CDFG believes that more creativity, openness and collaboration is needed in the middle of crisis to share experiences and overcome the difficulties. It is the pioneering Virtual Expo in the industry and we look forward to meeting our friends virtually, and wish the Expo a great success.”

Charles Chen will also deliver a major pre-recorded address at the Expo Symposium, outlining his vision for the bright future of CDFG and of travel retail in China.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are delighted and honoured to have China Duty Free Group as our inaugural Diamond Partner. Under Charles Chen’s outstanding leadership, China Duty Free Group has led the great travel retail development of recent times – the offshore duty free business in Hainan Province.

“Now, China Duty Free Group is also leading the global travel retail sector into recovery and giving our whole industry cause for hope and optimism. The world-renowned CDF Mall is already recording tremendously encouraging sales and prospects for Hainan are being boosted further by the building of the new and spectacular Haikou Duty-Free Shopping Complex.

“Our Virtual Expo is a premium event and in China Duty Free Group we have attracted a premium partner – the lighthouse for the recovery of the travel retail industry worldwide. We look forward to welcoming Charles and his full senior management team to our Virtual Expo, where many of the world’s leading brands will also be there to greet them.”

Commenting on the revised dates, Moodie said: “This week’s decision by TFWA to cancel the 2020 TFWA World Exhibition, a brave and correct decision which we applaud, means that an October timing is much more appropriate for our Virtual Expo. Along with all travel retailers, China Duty Free Group will be very busy in September in the lead-up to the critical Golden Week holidays, embracing the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day festivities. We thus avoid that clash and we were also keen to ensure that all retailers from the Jewish community would not see the event clash with Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.”

Note: In related news (click here for details) Parfums Christian Dior, which enjoys a thriving and innovative relationship with CDFG, has signed as a Platinum Partner for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Look out soon for a special Moodie Davitt Spotlight Series eZine dedicated to Dior’s resurgent business in China and its key partnership with CDFG.

More major announcements on the Symposium Programme and exhibitor partners will follow in coming days.

Charles Chen and Martin Moodie on stage together at The Trinity Forum 2019 in Shanghai

Charles Chen: “The Moodie Davitt event is the pioneering Virtual Expo in the industry and we look forward to meeting our friends virtually, and wish the Expo a great success”

INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Davitt Report is today launching a tender for a consumer research partner that can deliver high-quality insights about the travelling consumer worldwide in relation to shopping, food & beverage and other online to offline consumer services.

The initiative comes in response to industry requests for a new and highly rigorous level of consumer research, integral to the creation of The Trinity Institute (see below for details) and the Virtual Travel Retail Expo – both announced recently by The Moodie Davitt Report.

The partner will lead continuous research into the travelling consumer globally, reporting on their changing preferences, the drivers and motivations behind their spending, and crucially, analysis of what these developments mean for brand owners, retailers/food & beverage providers and landlords (from airports to airlines to cruise & ferry companies) and omnichannel providers. Particular emphasis will be placed on how travellers are reacting to the new world of travel post-COVID-19 and the implications for travel retail.

The research partner will help drive new insights into the traveller across markets and generations

The first major findings will be exclusively revealed during what promises to be a ground-breaking Symposium at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October. As reported, that event has gained further momentum with the naming of China Duty Free Group as Diamond Partner today, with a host of other leading travel retailers having committed to attending.

The research partner will also benefit from the powerful platform of The Trinity Institute, a newly created permanent seat of knowledge for the industry. This will become a home for quality research and a resource for the industry. As reported, it will also house expositions (global, national, company and sector-specific), workshops, seminars and B2B and B2C experiences. It will embrace all sectors of travel-related commercial services, including airports, airlines, cruise and ferry companies, omnichannel activities and much more across retail, food & beverage, hospitality, advertising, and other sectors.

The partner will also benefit from The Moodie Davitt Report’s multi-media platforms, unrivalled market penetration and global industry readership to showcase their work.

For further details contact Chairman Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com and Senior Retail & Commercial Analyst Min Yong Jung at MinYong@MoodieDavittReport.com

CHINA/INTERNATIONAL. Parfums Christian Dior today signed as a Platinum Partner of the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo, now set for October.

Parfums Christian Dior Senior Vice President Travel Retail Olivier Dubos said: “We are very pleased to be part of a revolution, a new digital journey, with the first Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo, to connect with our partners and to be able to share an immersive vision of Parfums Christian Dior innovations and development strategy, with contents never seen before.

“This rich, amazing opportunity will strengthen our close partnerships around the world and will bring a vision that we will be able to share and operationally execute at our best globally.

“We want to thank Martin Moodie for this very high standard Virtual exhibition that he is bringing to the travel retail industry.”

The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo takes the form of a ‘live’ 5-day event followed by a 30-day showcase. Following the cancellation of the TFWA World Exhibition yesterday, the Expo has now switched into October to respect the key Chinese Golden Week holidays and Jewish holidays. The live Expo, which features a star-studded series of events across the five days, includes a Symposium, category workshops and new consumer research findings, begins on 12 October.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are so excited to have a beauty maison of the stature of Parfums Christian Dior join us on our virtual journey. Dior is a byword for innovation and excellence and their participation adds immense lustre to a premium show. We thank Dior for their belief in the concept and look forward to bringing retailers and buyers from all around the world to experience their never been seen before content.”

As reported, earlier today, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) became the inaugural Diamond Partner of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Parfums Christian Dior enjoys a particularly close relationship with CDFG.

Note: Click here for a recent opinion piece by Olivier Dubus, in which he outlines the closeness and power of the partnership between Dior and CDFG. Look out in coming weeks for a special Moodie Davitt Spotlight Series eZine dedicated to that partnership and to Dior’s resurgent business in China.

Dior’s Ode to the Rose: In May 2019, CDF-Sunrise Duty Free celebrated the inauguration of a unique cluster of eight luxury concept stores from some of the most illustrious names in beauty at Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 2. One of the eight was Dior, a first of its kind store in the world for the brand, which offers a full immersion into premium skincare range, Prestige.

Thumbs up from CDFG, Beijing Capital International Airport and Dior management for an emphatic statement of Prestige

The Parfums Christian Dior boutique in the acclaimed CDF Mall in Haitang Bay

Parfums Christian Dior has launched numerous activations in the CDF Mall’s Main Atrium over the years. Pictured above is the Dior ‘Designer of Dreams’ pop-up held last October.

Dior’s ‘greatest discovery’ – the amazing story of Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy Click on the image to view the Dior Spotlight Series eZine In a landmark edition of The Moodie Davitt Spotlight Series eZine published in January, we told the story of how the new Capture Totale C.E.L.L. Energy launch embodied all the values of Dior skincare, while taking the science behind it to a new level. As the eZine story relates, Dior used artificial intelligence to go beyond visible signs. It was thus able to measure what, up until now, was considered immeasurable – the key to our perception of age: the face’s visible health and vitality. The result is what Dior calls a “major discovery about stem cells”, one “so incredible” that it has driven the creation of a new range focused on the restoration of cellular energy to reactivate the skin’s vital functions and youthful beauty.

 INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Davitt Report today sets out an exciting road map for the development of its inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo to be held in September and October.

As reported, travel retail’s first-ever Virtual Expo, which also features a Symposium led by some of the industry’s key thought leaders, takes place with a live event from 7-11 September with a 30-day follow-up showcase. Exhibitor bookings and buyer/retailer interest are now rising fast, with brand and service companies taking advantage of highly preferential ‘Early Bird’ rates before 1 June.

Ariel Gentzbourger: Looking forward to discovering new concepts in the virtual showrooms

DFS Group Executive Vice President Merchandising Ariel Gentzbourger said: “In an increasingly digital world, DFS applauds the Virtual Travel Retail Expo & Symposium initiative. Our merchandising and buying teams are looking forward to discovering new concepts in the virtual showrooms – all while staying close to our customers and teams.”

Ever Rich Duty Free President Kevin Chiang said that he and his management and buying teams will be out in force at the Expo.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he says. “Every exhibitor will kind of be like Elon Musk… able to showcase their products in a fun way and in a scheduled manner. And honestly, you can be better linked with who comes in to see your exhibition – they are better targeted and there’s better follow-up by themselves, so I think it is a wonderful idea.”

Kevin Chiang: Every exhibitor will be like Elon Musk

Other major retailers* that have just confirmed their participation in the Virtual Travel Retail Expo & Symposium include Duty Free Americas and Starboard Cruise Services.

The Trinity Institute is born

Excitingly, The Moodie Davitt Report plans to build on the learnings from this inaugural event and create a permanent year-round seat of knowledge, expos (global, national, company and sector-specific), workshops, seminars and B2B and B2C experiences, to be housed in the newly created Trinity Institute. This virtual entity will embrace all sectors of travel-related commercial services, including airports, airlines, cruise and ferry companies, omnichannel activities and much more across retail, food & beverage, hospitality, advertising, and other sectors.

“The Trinity Institute will be a community of networking, engagement and thought leadership,” said The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.  “It will host events big and small; become a haven for quality research; and be a one-stop shop for those wanting to discover more about our industry.

“Its creation has come about following discussions with key industry leaders. It will offer a never-ending journey of discovery; a chance to interact, learn online and to promote innovation. It will complement physical events through its own virtual Expos, workshops and symposiums; promote but simultaneously challenge our industry; showcase the work of critical trade associations; and be a limitless resource tool that all can draw on.”

More major announcements on the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo and The Trinity Institute to follow soon.

Some of the biggest names in the airline, airport, cruise retail and F&B communities, together with key executives from outside the channel, will speak at the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in September.

“The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo offers an exciting and innovative way to connect and unify the industry at a time when it is more important than ever before,” says Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail CEO Mohit Lal.