Stand layouts are finalised, designers are signing off their creations, samples are en route and speakers are polishing their keynote presentations. The stage is set for the annual forum of the duty free and travel retail industry, TFWA World Exhibition, which opens in the Palais des Festivals et des Congres in Cannes, France on Monday 22nd October.

TFWA World Exhibition will open to reveal 443 exhibiting companies, including many of the most prestigious companies in the world. This year 26% are fragrances & cosmetics companies including newcomers Juicy Couture (Liz Claiborne), Annayake and Maurer & Wirtz perfumes. Wine & spirits exhibitors (24%) include debutants The Patron Spirits Company, Champagne Taittinger and Soyuz Victan. Fashion & accessories (17%) newcomers include Hello Kitty, Furla and Fabeks Silk & Cashmere. Le Jacquard Francais joins Lladro in home decoration and a new tobacco exhibitor Menendez Amerino joins the ‘big boys’ (5%). Majorica and Reflecta join the jewellery & watch suppliers (12%); new confectionery & fine food exhibitors (10%) include Duc D’O, Caviar Petrossian and Cafe Tasse; Nici and History & Heraldry join the gift & toys category (4%).

Setting the scene before the exhibition opens, the TFWA World Exhibition Conference on Monday 22nd takes a tough line. TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen will summarise how the industry stands as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. ETRC President Frank O’Connell will follow with a wake-up call to the industry and an update on the campaign to find solutions to the current situation regarding onboard carriage of liquids and gels.

Neil Armstrong, former astronaut and first man on the moon, experienced traveller and intrepid explorer, will present his perceptions of the way forward for civil aviation. Retail guru Mary Portas, dubbed TV’s ‘Mary Queen of Shops’, will then apply her down to earth experience to the duty free and travel retail arena.

There will be two workshops during the week focused on areas of special interest to certain delegates: the Airline Workshop on Tuesday morning and the TFWA Asia Pacific Breakfast Workshop on Wednesday.