An impressive line-up of speakers will challenge, inform and stimulate debate among delegates at the 2008 MEDFA Conference organised by the Middle East Duty Free Association and TFWA.

The MEDFA Conference will take place in the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th November with an Opening Cocktail on the eve of the Conference, a Gala Dinner on Tuesday evening and ample opportunity to network and socialise.

Abu Dhabi is a significant emerging centre of economic power and the MEDFA Conference is aptly titled ‘Investing in the Future’. The programme will highlight existing investments by the duty free and travel retail industry stakeholders within the region, but also illustrate new ideas for investment to further the industry’s dynamic growth.

After a welcome from Anthony Chalhoub, MEDFA President, the keynote address will be delivered by His Excellency Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, who will outline how his company is responding and contributing to economic development.

Rohit Talwar, CEO Fast Future, will focus on the future of travel and tourism in the Middle East, in light of the global financial crisis and the implications for the duty free and travel retail sector. This will end with a panel discussion with industry stakeholders. A Marshall Arts video ‘Investing in the future’ will provide evidence of best practice in the region.

Maureen Johnson, Head of Insights at Portland will analyse the ‘Media Mix’ and suggest techniques for using the in-store environment to its full potential.

Bright and early on the second day a panel session ‘Capital Gains’ will focus on Abu Dhabi itself with speakers Dan Cappell, Vice President Non-aeronautical Revenue for ADAC, Henrik Andersen, Managing Director Gulf and India for SSP, Peter Baumgartner, Executive Vice President Marketing for Etihad Airways and Craig McKenna, Managing Director South East Asia and the Middle East, DFS.

Original consumer research conducted on behalf of TFWA into Middle East & African Outbound Travellers will be presented by Dr. Ian Cesa President & CEO, Horizon Research.

Barbara Wold, Business Strategist, will give her perspective on prudent and strategic investment in human resources and Bob Pritchard, International Marketer, will look at the technological route to market in ‘Digital retailing: Investing in new channels to communicate with consumers’.

John Sime, Vice President Duty Free Services for Emirates Airline, James Prescott, General Manager Operations at, ARI-ME, Inge de Groot, Head of Travel Retail for Hugo Boss and Stuart Bull, Consultant, Mars International Travel Retail will form a panel to lead discussion on ‘Investing in closer collaboration: How can brands & retailers work more closely together to grow product categories?’.
 
This Conference will be moderated by Doug Newhouse, Managing Editor of The Travel Retail Business and Dermot Davitt, Deputy Publisher of The Moodie Report.