AMERICAS. South American duty free association Asociacion Sudamericana de Tiendas Libres (ASUTIL) and the International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) today announced a new, collaborative partnership for their annual events. In a major development, the associations will fully integrate their existing annual events from March 2018.
During 2017, the respective organisations will finalise the changes to introduce a Summit of the Americas that will offer what the partners call “a revitalised business, educational and networking event for all attendees”.
“We have all reflected on the shifting industry environment and recognise the need to make efficiencies for doing business in the Americas,” said Gustavo Fagundes, ASUTIL President and COO of Dufry Brasil and Bolivia.
“From our viewpoints, there is an opportunity to achieve a more valuable and cost‐effective annual event for both suppliers and buyers on the exhibition side, and strengthen our educational offerings by combining our activities.”
“Everyone recognises that collaboration allows us to better adapt to changes within the industry,” added Erasmo Orillac, IAADFS Chairman of the Board and CEO of Motta Internacional, SA.
“In addition to the benefits that will be seen for our trade show, we want to bring together and enhance the educational conference aspects of what we each do.
“From the top of Canada to the tip of South America, the Americas offer a powerful growth opportunity for the duty free and travel retail industry. We want to help maximise that future for everyone.”
As previously reported, the Americas industry associations had been examining closer collaboration. Leaders from the organisations have also had preliminary conversations with the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) to explore synergies and mutual cooperation. The FDFA is undertaking a strategic review of its own annual show, which takes place in November.
IAADFS and ASUTIL noted their long history of mutual support, adding that they would “continue looking at ways to expand their work together on regulatory and advocacy issues impacting the industry, in addition to efforts directed toward combining their events”.
