INTERNATIONAL. Interest continues to build in the second Virtual Travel Retail Experience (11-15 October), with new and returning exhibitors signing up, and more confirmations to follow soon.
Potential partners are reminded that the -10% Early Bird incentive for exhibitor and sponsor bookings ends this Friday on 4 June. Under a unique Loyalty Scheme, returning exhibitors from 2020 receive a -10% discount on 2020 fees if they maintain the same stand tier as last year.
In related news, The Moodie Davitt Report is pleased to name Jess Howells as Events & Marketing Manager for the Virtual Travel Retail Experience. She brings a wealth of experience in marketing, communications and project management to the role, in which she will help build the Knowledge Hub programme and drive event marketing.
Recent exhibitor sign-ups include Shiseido Travel Retail; Duty Free Global; Ferrero Travel Market; Nestlé International Travel Retail; AuCoeurDuLuxe; International Beverage Group; Ahmad Tea; 2.0 & Partners and KT International.
As reported, Qatar Duty Free is returning as a Diamond Partner (and co-host with The Moodie Davitt Report of The QDF Factor, see below), while Philip Morris International (PMI), Diageo and Nasdaq-listed iClick Interactive Asia Group are once again Platinum Partners.
One Red Kite, Peuch & Besse, Stoli, Shannon Retail Innovation, Whyte & Mackay and Zegna are all returning after successful Expo debuts last year and Dubai Duty Free, Lotte Duty Free and Harding are among those companies that will exhibit in the spectacular new Retailer Emporium. Many more exhibitor agreements are at an advanced negotiation stage.
In a statement about its return as an exhibitor, KT International said: “In a time of continued travel and meeting restrictions we are excited to have a chance to once again contact and greet our clients and partners. Long-term partnerships and business relationships are what will ultimately drive the recovery of the industry and we see this online expo as a key opportunity to do this.
“Moreover, global travel retail remains one of the few channels where our products can be properly showcased to adult consumers and in light of that fact, The Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Experience has proved to be a successful platform. We are also looking forward to sharing our latest portfolio developments and innovations with our customers and partners.”
KEY IMPROVEMENTS TO VIRTUAL FORMAT
The inaugural Virtual Travel Retail Expo was the key trade event of the 2020 travel retail calendar, attracting over 4,370 unique visitors, who paid over 20,000 visits to the platform. 124 exhibition stands received more than 183,600 impressions and generated 179,700 content clicks.
As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR. QINGWA are making several enhancements to the virtual platform used in 2020.
New features and settings including:
- A single integrated platform
- Mobile-responsiveness
- China-friendly configuration
- Personalised event agenda
- Upgraded chat function, with video calling and screen-sharing features
- Integrated webcasting and live-streaming
- Real-time performance analysis
- 360 Virtual Reality environment capabilities
- Real-time suite access control for Platinum exhibitors
- Private stand set-up previewing
Other key elements of the 2021 programme include:
- A six-week ‘encore’ access for exhibitors and visitors at no additional cost;
- A dedicated Retailer Pavilion for airport, downtown, airline, rail and omnichannel retailers;
- A dedicated Cruise Jetty for cruise and ferry retailers
- An Experiential Arena, allowing companies which do not wish to exhibit, high-impact visibility opportunities;
- An enhanced Knowledge Hub programme over five days, featuring many of the sector’s key decision makers, disruptors and innovators; and a dedicated Food & Beverage (FAB) component.
THE QDF FACTOR IS BACK – BIGGER AND BETTER
In what promises to be one of the big highlights of the 2021 event, The QDF Factor sees a repeat of last year’s acclaimed competition to drive and reward industry innovation through a six-month listing with Qatar Duty Free and a complimentary US$50,000 advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.
All entrants this year will also receive a complimentary advertisement and related editorial in a special QDF Factor eZine. More details of the 2021 programme including nomination details will be released soon.
The Virtual Travel Retail Experience will also feature the first-ever Travel Retail Superstars Awards & Knowledge Programme, championing frontline staff in our sector who have helped keep a stricken sector going throughout the pandemic.
The event, combining an awards ceremony and a people-centric Knowledge Hub programme focused on the vital role of staff, will be a core element at the event. Categories and nomination procedure will be revealed soon.
Dubai Duty Free is offering two prize draws each week in the run-up to the event, offering the chance for registrants to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire draw or a luxury car in the Finest Surprise draw.
For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo 2021, please contact Irene Revilla, Publisher, The Moodie Davitt Report (Irene@moodiedavittreport.com) or Sarah Genest, Vice President Sales & Events (Sarah@MoodieDavittReport.com).
