With the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2019 just days away, visitors attending this year’s event can expect another spectacular showing from the biggest brands in duty free and travel retail.

Over 500 exhibitors will be in attendance, among which 65 exhibitors are making their debut in Cannes or returning after a short period, including Shanghai Tang and Havaianas (fashion), Korea Ginseng Corporation (confectionery), La Colline and Ren Clean Skincare (fragrances & cosmetics), RHA (electronics), Zino Davidoff (jewellery & watches), Champagne Lanson and Hunter Laing (wines & spirits).

Other names making their first appearance at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference include confectionery brand Cloetta, e-cigarette brand Juul and wine brand Vina Concha y Toro. They will all be among those highlighting their latest developments on the elegant quayside at the Harbour Village.

TFWA World Conference has a history of attracting high-profile speakers, and this year’s event continues that trend. The Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997-2007, will be in Cannes to share his thoughts on the current state of global affairs. A major player on the geopolitical stage, he’ll offer delegates some fascinating insights on today’s key issues.

The Exhibition will host TFWA Innovation Lab (1-4 October) in a tented space opposite the Majestic Beach. This new initiative brings together around 30 specialists in digital solutions and mobile technology, sustainability and CSR, traveller services, in-store design and research. A workshop entitled ‘Innovation in Action’ at 9am on 1 October gets things underway.

The TFWA Innovation Lab, held in partnership with Alibaba’s Fliggy, the e-commerce and retail specialist’s travel brand, will also welcome 28 forward-facing companies to showcase their latest ideas and products. Exhibitors include creative companies in digital and mobile technology, sustainability, CSR and more such as Ion8, Yanu, Inflyter, Blynk, Concourse, JCDecaux, SKYdeals, Airfree and others. A number of global brands including Cartier, Diageo and Breo will also present their own innovations.

Prior to this official opening, the “Innovation in Action” workshop will take place at 08:00 at the Majestic Hotel, Salon Croisette on Tuesday 1st October.

TFWA would like to thank all sponsors of the TFWA Innovation Lab, including Munich Airport as Airport Partner, Shiseido as ONE2ONE Partner, and BW Confidential, TRBusiness and DFNI/Frontier as Media Partners. Cartier, Diageo, Ion8, Breo and NPD Travel Retail are Innovation in Action sponsors, while the Press Breakfast is sponsored by Ren Clean Skincare.

Alain Maingreaud, TFWA President, said; “From the growth of digital technology to increasing demand for more sustainable practices, the duty free and travel retail industry is undergoing a number of significant changes that will greatly impact our business in the coming years. Exhibitors joining us at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference and TFWA Innovation Lab will offer a window into the trends, tools and services that will enable all industry stakeholders to prepare for this transformation and help them better serve the future needs of the international traveller.”