AMERICAS. Regional travel retail associations ASUTIL and IAADFS have revealed speaker names for the Executive Conference sessions at the 2018 Summit of the Americas, which takes place from 18-21 March in Orlando.
In a high-profile addition to the programme, Dufry Group CEO Julián Díaz will be the closing keynote speaker on Wednesday 21 March.
In other news, Kian Gould, Founder and CEO of AOE, a pioneer of airport omnichannel retail activities, will address the theme, ‘Digitally Disrupted or Digitally Involved’. (As reported in recent days, Gould was named one of The Moodie Davitt Report’s Positive Disruptors of 2017)
In addition, Lewis Allen, Director of Environments at Portland Design, will address the topic: ‘When Different isn’t Good Enough: Better Shopping for Tomorrow’s Airports’. Other speakers will be confirmed soon. The Executive Conference Sessions take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings at the event.
In related news, organisers have said that 90% of exhibition space for the event is sold. Exhibitors returning after an absence include Bodegas Williams and Humbert SAU, Grupo Penaflor SA, Haribo / RIGO Trading SA, KT&G, L’Occitane Americas Export & Travel Retail, Misaki, Philip Morris Duty Free Inc., Rodenstock, SCOJO New York, and Tortuga Rum Cake Company.
New exhibitors requesting space for 2018 include Allocacoc, APM Monaco, ARA Food Corp, Bravo Handbags, Destiladora Del Valle de Tequila, Diyacell, Dulzura Borincana, Flux Design Products / iclip, House of Sillage, OM Liqueurs, The Edrington Group, Valrhona, World Wishes, Worlds Best Brands LLC. and Zimpex Marketing International.
The boards of IAADFS and ASUTIL said that they “have committed to the 2018 Summit of the Americas and plan to send their key buyers to the event”.
New for 2018 will be La Movida Club, which replaces the former Club Americas. La Movida Club will be open on Monday and Tuesday nights from 10:00pm until 2:00am, offering cocktails and the opportunity to network in a casual atmosphere.
