“The show will go on” – TFWA President Jaya Singh sounds upbeat note on Cannes as event planning proceeds

FRANCE/INTERNATIONAL. TFWA World Exhibition will proceed from 24-28 October, with around 250 exhibitors signed up, or around 50% of 2019 levels, according to Tax Free World Association (TFWA).

Speaking at an online press conference today, TFWA President Jaya Singh said: “The over-arching message is that the show will go on. We have had unanimous support from the Management Committee, a lot of hard work from the permanent team at TFWA, and pledges to attend from retailers large and small. We look forward to joining hands once more in Cannes and to bringing our industry together physically.”

Jaya Singh: “It will be more like a mini-Cannes. But we will still have sufficient scale of content to deliver on everyone’s needs.”

Singh noted that Cannes 2021 would be a very different show to previous years. “We won’t have the numbers of exhibitors or visitors we had before of course. It will be more like a mini-Cannes. But we will still have sufficient scale of content to deliver on everyone’s needs, and to host a great event, where people can plan ahead for 2022. Attendance will be strong and this year’s event will ensure quality time can be spent together by industry partners.”

TFWA Vice President Commercial Donatienne de Fontaines-Guillaume said that exhibitor numbers were running at around 50% of 2019, with 11,000sq m of floor space booked to date.

“Of course we are in a very special situation with COVID. We will have many big, medium and small names not exhibiting this year but we also have confirmations from many others. It will be a smaller Cannes, but we are convinced it will be a fantastic platform for the industry to reconvene and rebound.”

Donatienne de Fontaines-Guillaume: Visitor bookings a “work in progress” but said that TFWA had strong commitments from many leading travel retailers

Asked by The Moodie Davitt Report about visitor bookings and the likely regional spread of retailer guests, de Fontaines-Guillaume said it was a “work in progress” but that TFWA had strong commitments from many leading travel retailers about their attendance.

She said: “We brand owners have many meetings already confirmed so activity will be strong. In terms of overall participants the Hosted Buyer Programme has been well received and we are working with the companies that have applied. It’s addressed to buyers and category managers specifically but we have interest from different parts of the world.

“To be clear, as of today, confirmed visitors are mainly coming from Europe, Middle East and Africa but we want to be flexible and agile to encourage maximum participation.

“We know that for Asian partners it will be difficult to attend, though some might decide to come if travel restrictions ease at the last minute. We have strong interest from the Americas too. But we are aware of the constraints COVID has created but are trying to find solutions, whether people take part virtually or physically.”

TFWA was asked about the (non-binding) recommendation by the EU that member states impose COVID-19-related travel restrictions and stop non-essential travel from six countries including the USA. Currently, France has not taken the US off its green list, said TFWA Managing Director John Rimmer, with all vaccinated travellers permitted to enter, regardless of origin. “But we are monitoring the situation closely,” he added.

TFWA insists that it and the city of Cannes are well-prepared to manage an event of this scale safely, with a range of health measures in place

Rimmer said that visitor registrations were growing daily and that it was difficult to give a final figure as bookings continue to be made. “It’s not going to be the same as other years obviously, and it will be tougher for Asian companies we understand. But the vast majority of the top 20 retailers have committed to sending delegations, including those in the Americas with whom we have had positive conversations. The leading buyers are very enthusiastic about attending. We will see a good cross-section of buyers, agents and distributors.”

TFWA said that entrants to the show would be checked for vaccination certification or proof of a negative test – with rapid testing facilities available on-site for unvaccinated delegates. Other health measures will include mask-wearing inside the Palais, control of customer flows and sanitisation points. A 24-hour medical concierge service is available in the case that any visitor falls ill. Delegates will be updated on health guidelines before the show.

Rimmer noted: “We know the situation is volatile and that national guidelines can change quickly. We are tracking these daily. But the City of Cannes, which relies heavily on tourism and on trade shows, has been very proactive and is doing everything it can, alongside us, to ensure the safest possible environment.

“To enter many establishments in France, you are asked for a health certificate (pass sanitaire). It’s not possible to police the entire city but the Mayor of Cannes have been extremely proactive and takes this issue very seriously. It’s so important for the City of Cannes that business rebounds and they will do what they can do make this event happen safely for everyone.”

Visitors should take note of France’s green, amber and red lists for visitors, each of which impose different requirements on travellers. Currently, anyone who is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by European health agencies can enter France without any restrictions, from any country. Restrictions apply to non-vaccinated travellers or those from amber or red states.

Singh concluded: “Business is in recovery, opportunities are arising and that is what we aim to take advantage of. At a time of extraordinary circumstances we need to engage together more than ever.”

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