MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA. The Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) and event partner TFWA have announced a strong line-up of industry speakers for the MEADFA Conference, which takes place in Dubai on 21-23 November. The conference is hosted by Dubai Duty Free and will be held at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel (owned by the leading travel retailer) close to The Irish Village.
The conference will open on Monday 22 November with welcome addresses from MEADFA President Sherif Toulan and Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin.
A morning panel session will include Ray Hernan, CEO of Aer Rianta International; Ramesh Cidambi, COO of Dubai Duty Free; Frédéric Chevalier, Chief Operating Officer – Europe, Middle East and Africa at Lagardère Travel Retail; Isabel Zarza, Chief Operating Officer – Central and North Europe, Russia and Africa at Dufry; and François Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports.
In the afternoon session, IATA Regional Vice President Africa and Middle East Kamil Al Awadhi and Airports Council International Africa Director General Ali Tounsi will offer insights into the shape of the travel recovery in the Middle East and Africa. Day one will conclude with a presentation from Bassam Al Wardi, Chief Executive Officer & Board Director of Bahrain Duty Free, who will discuss the retail offer at Bahrain International Airport’s new terminal.
Day two of the conference will assess what lies ahead for tourism in the Middle East through United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Middle East Regional Director Basmah Al-Mayman. Delta Air Lines Regional Director Manoj Kuriakose will then address the lessons the airline has learned during the global crisis.
A panel session to discuss facing African aviation and related industries will feature Africa Airlines Association Secretary General Abderahmane Berthe; Chief Executive Officer of Abidjan International Airport Aka Manouan; Africa Tourism Association CEO Naledi Khabo and Dufry General Manager Africa Isaias Diaz.
The final conference sessions will see Rita Chidiac, Chair of the MEADFA Advocacy Working Group, and Sandra Uwera, COMESA Business Council CEO, highlight the latest advocacy work being done on behalf of the duty free and travel retail industry in the Middle East and Africa. In addition, Dr Jennifer Cords, Director Corporate Affairs, Business Compliance & Corporate Responsibility at Gebr Heinemann, and Richard Gray, CEO of ARI Middle East, will examine how brands and retailers can meet growing consumer demand for sustainability and digitalisation.
The event will be co-moderated by TFWA Managing Director John Rimmer and The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt.
MEADFA President Sherif Toulan said: “With many prominent industry leaders joining us in Dubai, this year’s MEADFA Conference is shaping up to be a vital event that will help reconnect the duty free and travel retail market during these extraordinary times. We’re looking forward to much lively debate and discussion during the conference, which will present the latest trends and solutions that will help the regional industry in Africa and the Middle East prepare for a brighter future ahead.”
TFWA President Jaya Singh said: “We’re proud to once again lend our support to the MEADFA Conference, which serves as an important forum for debate and exchange in the dynamic Middle East and Africa travel market. With interest expected to be high, we’ll be streaming the entire conference live on TFWA 365 to ensure no-one misses out on the ideas and insights shared by this impressive line-up of speakers.”
Networking opportunities will include Sunday’s Welcome Cocktail and Monday’s Gala Dinner, plus coffee breaks and lunches.
Delegates wishing to visit the MEADFA Conference in person are advised to book early as physical attendance will be limited due to capacity restrictions in line with health & safety measures. More information on these health & safety measures can be found at https://www.tfwa.com/the-meadfa-conference/covid-19-safety-guidelines-100012076. Those unable to travel to Dubai can follow the conference through a paid livestream service hosted on the TFWA 365 digital platform.
Sponsors of this year’s MEADFA Conference include Dubai Duty Free, Pernod Ricard, Nestlé, Imperial Brands, Swedish Match, Japan Tobacco International, Mazaya and Beam Suntory.
For more information and to register, please visit https://www.tfwa.com/the-meadfa-conference/book-your-place-100006094.
The event will be followed by the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup on 24-25 November.
