A landmark event
The TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition and conference have long been a cornerstone of the region’s travel retail industry, and this year the organisers are ringing the changes. David Davies finds out more and speaks to three first-time exhibitors
It’s that time again – time to descend on Singapore’s Suntec Centre for the annual gathering in the Asia Pacific travel-retail industry. While the TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition has essentially the same format that has stood it in good stead for many years, the accompany Gate ONE2ONE conference has this year adopted a new framework that will see it take place over one day and comprise a series of eight specialist workshops, running concurrently, from which delegates can choose to attend three.
Subjects to be addressed at Gate ONE2ONE – which takes place on Monday May 12th, immediately prior to the opening of the three-day exhibition – include the assessment of customer needs in the airport environment, tourism and travel trends in Asia Pacific, simple strategies for increasing commercial revenues, terminal design, and the evolution of the low-cost carrier market in Asia Pacific. The strong pre-registration figures for the conference and exhibition – 1045 trade visitors from 291 companies confirmed their attendance during the first three weeks – suggest that the changes have already been embraced by the trade.
“TFWA Asia Pacific and Gate ONE2ONE in the new format clearly appeal to the industry in the region,” said TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen. “Over the past decade the exhibition has become established as the unique opportunity to meet brands, review product developments and discuss business with Asia Pacific contacts. The conference programme this year promises to lay the foundations for an excellent week with stimulating debate and essential information. We are confident that the list of key stakeholders signing up to the event will continue to grow and we look forward to a landmark event.”
Among those for whom this will undoubtedly be a ‘landmark event’ are the companies preparing to make their TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition debuts. Frontier caught up with three of them to hear
their plans and expectations for this vital regional industry showcase…
Tateossian
Established in 1990, jewellery and accessories brand Tateossian has long pursued an approach that seeks to fuse luxury with a distinctive design signature. The company’s debut appearance at the TFWA World exhibition this year coincides with a period of expansion across the travel-retail channel, particularly within the inflight market.
“We felt it was the right time to explore further our market in the Far East and develop the immense potential of duty-free shopping in that part of the world,” says managing director Robert Tateossian. “We are clearly aiming at opening new accounts, consolidating our existing ones and knowing more about the logistics and operations in the airline business in the Asia Pacific areas. Many businesses are realising the importance of inflight business, as well as the on-ground one.”
Products set to be highlighted in Singapore include watch offers such as Gulliver Sport, along with the company’s extensive range of cufflinks and, for women, some miniature or more straightforward versions of Tateossian’s best-selling jewellery.
Looking forward, Tateossian makes it clear that he hopes to see considerable growth for the brand throughout travel-retail in the future. “So far, duty free has only been a marginal side of the business,” he admits. “But people are travelling more and more for work, so it makes sense that we shuld extend our knowledge and dedicate more energy to this ever-increasing trend, especially considering how successful and (gratefully) appreciated we are domestically.”
Stand No: C21
Cadbury-Schweppes
Such is the extent and longevity of Cadbury-Schweppes’ travel-retail presence that it comes as rather a surprise to discover that, in fact, the confectionery giant is exhibiting at TFWA Asia Pacific for the first time this year. The decision to appear now has been informed by the supplier’s increasingly robust business throughout the region.
“We have a strong and growing business in the APAC region, and have a lot of new initiatives
underway that we want to discuss with our retail partners in that part of the world,” reveals Steve Brock, general manager, Cadbury-Schweppes International Travel Retail (CSITR). “The TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition provides a perfect opportunity for that dialogue and to review our mutual business interests.”
While the emphasis is on dialogue and exchange of ideas with existing collaborators in the region, CSITR is also open to the possibility of new business. “We are already very happy with our presence within the region and see this as an opportunity to discuss new ideas and opportunities with our existing client base, as well as welcoming any new customers,” says Brock.
Product-wise, the focus will be on the acclaimed Cadbury Luxury Selection range and latest associated developments. The company will also be highlighting the Cadbury Dairy Milk and Bassett’s brands.
“Our customers will tell us if we have had a good exhibition or not,” replies Brock when asked by which criteria CSITR will assess the success of its appearance at TFWA Asia Pacific. “If they are happy with our meetings, then so shall we be.”
Stand No: P21
Alexandra Plata
Spanish purity silver accessories designer and manufacturer Alexandra Plata is also making its
TFWA Asia Pacific debut in 2008. While the company already has some presence in the international travel-retail channel – most prominently through Aldeasa and cruise operations such as Iberojet and The World – its management is hopeful that the show will assist it in securing further
listings elsewhere.
“In our internationalisation policy, the TFWA Asia Pacific show is for us the best way to meet directors and buyers from the most important duty-free retailers,” says Laure Nicolas, marketing & communications manager, Alexandra Plata. “We consider [this exhibition] as an opportunity to better present our brand – especially to the Middle East/Pacific/Asian markets – as visitors will see our products and talk to us directly. We are looking for new contacts and new opportunities for collaboration.”
In terms of the products on display, the focus will be on this year’s spring/summer collection. “All the creations of this new collection [incorporate] the fetish materials of our talented designer, Alejandra Yagüe – slick and braided leather, hammered and shiny sterling silver associated with linen and gemstones. The results are new fashionable necklaces, glamorous bracelets, elegant rings and earings, and fresh and fun cufflinks.”
Stand No: C2
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