The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce that fast-growing wines & spirits agency brand partner Duty Free Global has become a Platinum Partner at the pioneering Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.
The Expo – which takes the form of a ‘live’ 5-day event followed by a 30-day showcase – begins on 12 October, just after the conclusion of the Chinese Golden Week holidays. It features a star-studded series of events across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and a new consumer research initiative. Early bird rates for exhibitor bookings expire on 1 June.
Duty Free Global Founder Barry Geoghegan expressed his delight at taking part, saying the Virtual Expo “will encourage us all to develop new tools of passenger engagement in a changing world. Our brand partners are 100% behind this innovative approach to exhibitions and conferencing. Well done and thank you to the Moodie Davitt team.”
The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are thrilled that Duty Free Global, such a champion of the wine category in particular, is joining us on this journey, as we enter a new world of opportunity for brands to connect with their retail partners.”
Duty Free Global joins a growing list of names from the world of wines & spirits at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Already announced as Platinum Partners are Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, Beam Suntory Global Travel Retail and Whyte & Mackay. The SEVA Group, which is prominent in wines & spirits brand distribution and brand ownership (and is also a travel retailer), is a Diamond Partner.
In wines & spirits, other partners include Stoli Group (Gold), Loch Lomond, Barton & Guestier-Patriarche-Listel and Wild Tiger Beverages (Silver), with further announcements of sector leaders, craft distillers and others imminent.
Stoli Group Global DF/TR Director Jean-Philippe Aucher said: “While the whole industry has been collecting bad news over the past months, we all know that there will be a before COVID-19 and an after COVID-19, characterised by new ways of thinking, buying or even travelling. But in any case innovation and capacity to quickly adapt to such changes remain key.
“The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo is the perfect illustration of innovative initiatives and game changers for our industry. Stoli Group is delighted to participate in this exciting event, allowing us to showcase our novelties with the latest technological tools to buyers from all around the world.”
Loch Lomond Global Travel Retail Managing Director André de Almeida said: “In these unprecedented times, the Loch Lomond Group remains committed to global travel retail. Our range of Scotch whiskies have performed strongly since their introduction to the channel three years ago and we are confident that travellers will continue to look for innovation and diversity of offer once they start travelling again.
“We look forward to engaging with retailers worldwide as part of the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Expo. I personally believe that this type of initiative will lead to a future where we continue to meet in person during conferences and exhibitions, with the added facilities and services provided virtually, creating a new hybrid format for the channel.”
Barton & Guestier – Patriarche – Listel Sales & Marketing Director Philippe Marion said: “We are thrilled to be part of this new way of showcasing our products and meeting our customers and prospects online. In these troubled times, we are very happy to support our travel retail community and help find solutions together. Virtual Fairs and meetings are key for keeping on building our 300-year old brand and we are looking forward to this first Virtual Travel Retail Expo.”
Wild Tiger Beverages Founder Gautom Menon said: “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and the call has been answered by the progressive Moodie Davitt team. We at Wild Tiger Beverages are thrilled to take a leap into the inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo. We believe this initiative to be a much needed one, that would benefit suppliers, regardless of their geographies or size. It will be a true ‘homecoming’ of the travel retail industry.”
Note: To discover more about the Moodie Davitt Travel Retail Virtual Expo, please email Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com or Gemma Aldridge at Gemma@MoodieDavittReport.com.
Notes on Duty Free Global
Duty Free Global (DFG) is a specialised wines and spirits agency brand partner that offers expertise and resources. It has developed a diversified, carefully selected portfolio of outstanding brands for clients in the duty free and travel retail market. The company has extensive route to market knowledge, an expert understanding of the needs of duty free retailers in this highly specialised channel, and is a flexible and long term partner.
DFG is currently working with Beau Joie Champagne, Grande Chais de France (wines), Paul Sapin (wines), Taylors (wines), BABCO (multiple brands), The East India Company (gin), Drumshanbo Gunpowder (gin), Gold Bar (whiskey), Hunter Laing (whisky), Neptune (rum), Sazerac (multiple brands) and Samrus (cream liqueurs).
More reaction from wines & spirits partners about the Virtual Travel Retail Expo
