Announcing ‘The MEADFA Challenge’: Regional association to showcase innovation at Beirut conference

MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA. The Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) is pledging to showcase the best in travel retail innovation from across the region at its annual conference in Beirut on 20-21 November – and is calling for input from brands, retailers and airports.

Haitham al-Majali: “We are excited about this initiative and looking forward to receiving submissions from our friends and partners across the region”

‘The MEADFA Challenge’ is a new initiative created by MEADFA, which seeks to highlight ground-breaking industry activity in Middle East and Africa duty free & travel retail.

It aims to champion excellence and best practice, and encourage new ideas that will enable the regional industry to grow sustainably in the future.

Companies are invited to submit to MEADFA examples of marketing campaigns, product launches, innovation in new technology and partnerships that they believe take the business forward in the region. Submissions should explain how these break new ground, move the industry forward and how they have helped to engage travellers.

Entries should be supported by images, video and other relevant material. Events, activations and launches should have taken place during the 12 months in the run-up to this year’s MEADFA Conference.

A MEADFA judges’ panel will assess the entries, with the highest rated invited to present at a special session during the Beirut event.

MEADFA President and CEO of Jordanian Duty Free Shops Haitham al-Majali encouraged all companies with a presence in the Middle East and Africa – airports, retailers and brands – to take part in the initiative.

“We want the MEADFA Conference to be an opportunity to showcase, explore and celebrate new ideas and fresh thinking. Landlords, retailers and brands are already doing great things together to excite travellers and drive higher spend, and we want to learn from examples of best practice in the Middle East and Africa. We are excited about this initiative and looking forward to receiving submissions from our friends and partners across the region.”

Submissions and supporting material can be addressed to MEADFA Operations Manager Micheline Enkiri at micheline@meadfa.com

*As a key media partner of the association, and publisher of the annual MEADFA Guide, The Moodie Davitt Report will provide regular updates about The MEADFA Challenge during the months ahead.

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