4,868 registrants (and rising); 124 exhibitors; big new names on Knowledge Hub programme as Virtual Travel Retail Expo

INTERNATIONAL. As of 14.30 UK time today, 4,868 people had registered to attend the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo next month with numbers rising by around 100 each day.

The pioneering event, organised by The Moodie Davitt Report in association with Singapore and London design agency FILTR, takes place on 12-16 October.

The Expo features 124 Virtual Stands, embracing brands, retailers (airline, airport, cruise and omnichannel) in the Exhibition Hub.

The Knowledge Hub features a star-studded programme spread across five days. Some of the latest additions to the programme include:

  • Eduardo Barp, Managing Director Global Travel, Diageo (who will lead a strong Diageo Global Travel session that will explore growing the key liquor category)
  • Han Shengjian, Director General, Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development;
  • Kevin Chiang, President, Ever Rich Duty Free, who will join Sandeep Seth, Chief Executive Officer, Global SK-II, Procter & Gamble in a fascinating session about business transformation and sustainability;
  • Kevin Zajax, CEO Ground Control (who will talk about the greater integration of retail and F&B in the post-COVID airport world)
  • Craig Johnson, Global Vice President Marketing, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail
  • Cameron Worth, Founder & CEO, SharpEnd
  • Charlie Merrells, Chief Strategy Officer, Molzi
  • Mudit Jaju, Global Head of Ecommerce, Wavemaker
  • And more, click here for the latest line-up

KOL Sphere brings big names to the Expo

A stellar line-up of influencers will be participating in the KOL Ambassador Campaign at the Expo.

The KOL Ambassadors include top influencers, such as Yurina below, from the world of perfumes and cosmetics, wines and spirits and fashion and lifestyle. The KOLs come from all over the globe, embracing key travel regions such as Asia Pacific (and in particular China), Australia, the Americas and Europe.

Yurina is a leading Singapore-based beauty KOL who also spent time living in China and Canada. With 2.95 million followers on Weibo, Yurina’s demographic embraces a core Chinese audience and also overseas Chinese travellers. Her areas of interest are beauty, cosmetics, fashion and food.

The Engagement Lounge in the Experience Hub features four platforms to launch, promote and educate through virtual masterclasses, tastings and demonstrations, all streamed to a global audience.

Click here for the fascinating programme, which includes:

  • Schlumberger: Best of Mozart Chocolate Liqueur CHOCtails and Mamont Siberian Vodka Signature Drinks
  • Pernod Ricard: Discover the world of Chivas Regal with Master Blender Sandy Hyslop
  • Duty Free Global: Presents… Cognac back to its (pre-phylloxera) roots
  • Mast Jägermeister: Jägermeister LIVE Masterclass
  • Ian Macleod Distillers: Live Edinburgh Gin Tasting
  • William Grant & Sons: Glenfiddich Grand Series Range
  • Bacardi: The Experts Talk Next Generation Whisky
  • Proximo Spirits: Introducing Bushmills 10yr Old Sherry Cask Finish & Cristalino Tequila
  • Camus Cognac: The Virtual Cognac Lab
  • Campari Group: Enjoy a Live Virtual Tasting with Global Brand Ambassador Davide Fornasiero
  • Bacardi: The Rise of Super Premium Tequila
  • Camus: Kweichow Moutai – Spirit of China
  • Duty Free Global: End of Show Cocktails & Quiz

The QDF finalists revealed… and then the big finish

On Monday 12 October, the finalists in The QDF Factor will be revealed by Thabet Musleh, Vice President Operations, Qatar Duty Free.

Time: 15:05 (UK)/ 22:05 Beijing/Singapore/ 17:05 (AST) & 10:05 (EST)

In a thrilling conclusion to the week, the winner will be revealed on the final day, 16 October.

Time: 14:00 (UK)/ 21:00 Beijing/Singapore/ 16:00 (AST) & 02:00 (EST)

Exhibitors go into show preview mode

[Diamond Partner The SEVA Group previews its exciting Expo presence]

Virtual becomes reality for  science-driven skincare brand Filorga as it invites retail partners to visit its Virtual Stand. “The entire travel retail team will be proud to share the amazing path achieved by Filorga over the last ten years, and we look forward to presenting to all the retailers around the world our future cutting-edge retail experience and to showcasing our novelties on our amazing virtual stand,” says Filorga Global Travel Retail Director Nicolas Rimeau.

Three outstanding charities are benefiting from the success of the event. As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report is to fund a cleft operation through Smile Train for every paid exhibitor at the pioneering event. 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.

Additionally, for every visitor, a tree will be planted in support of The Trinity Forest Project. And ImpactHK, an NGO that addresses the pressing problem of the homeless in Hong Kong, will benefit via the donation of a proportion of revenues from The Moodie Davitt Report’s Stand Curation and event partner FILTR.

 To register for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo click here

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