Final adjustments are being made to the programme for the two-day Middle East Duty Free Conference…
Final adjustments are being made to the programme for the two-day Middle East Duty Free Conference which opens in Le Meridien Dubai on 4th December under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group.
The number of registered delegates for the event has reached over 200, well ahead of bookings at the same stage last year.
With a strong line-up of industry speakers and a theme of ‘Understanding a Complex Market’, the conference will be one of the best yet, according to MEDFA President and Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Colm McLoughlin.
“The Middle East Duty Free Conference will highlight the double-digit growth in duty-free sales in this region and provide some tangible information on Middle East-based consumers,” said Mr McLoughlin. “We are delighted by the calibre of speakers this year, which include Mark Riches of World Duty Free and Richard Burrows of Pernod Ricard.”
The Middle East Duty Free Association and Tax Free World Association, who are organising the event with the assistance of Martin Moodie of The Moodie Report, have confirmed an excellent programme which will be set in context by TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen with ‘A Global Perspective on Travel Retail’.
A key element will be a new focus on improving customer service, a theme to be developed by keynote speaker on day one Mark Riches, MD World Duty Free and BAA Global Airport Retail in ‘The great consumer obsession’.
Exclusive film footage will show examples of best practice in travel retail in the Middle East, and later Dan Cappell, Deputy Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Duty Free will outline MEDFA’s new training programme aimed at improving standards in customer service.
Gwyneth Olosson, author of ‘When in Rome, Rio or Riyadh’ and Rachel Green, Recruitment and Employee Development Manager at Dubai Duty Free will discuss ‘Developing intercultural competency in the workplace’.
Consumer data on the diverse economies of the region will be presented by American Express VP/GM Europe & MENA Dr. Michael Edwards in his address on ‘The Middle East Traveller: Spending and Travel Behaviour’.
Richard Burrows, Director General, Pernod Ricard will set the scene on day two with a supplier’s perspective on ‘Travel Retail: Challenges & Opportunities for Global Suppliers’.
Delegates will be presented with two detailed case studies to consider during the comference. The first on ‘Jordan – Adapting Retail to the Region’ will be led by Pedro Castro, Chief Operating Officer, Aldeasa Jordan and Haitham Al Majali, General Manager, Jordanian Duty Free Shops Co. The second on ‘Qatar – a stirring tale of ambition’ will be led by Krishna Kumari, Assistant General Manager of Qatar Duty Free.
A panel discussion on ‘Developments shaping the future of the regional industry’ including new aircraft, low cost carriers and regulatory threats will involve local experts such as Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive VP Commercial Operations Worldwide at Emirates Airlines, Jan Baljet, Deputy COO Dufry Sharjah and Frank O’Connell, Director Aer Rianta Retail.
The technical theme, and specifically state of the art systems for stock control, merchandising and payments, will be addressed by Barbara Anderson, Director Retail Technology Group in ‘Taking retail to the next level’.
Thanks to generous sponsorship by a host of companies there will be ample opportunity to discuss issues further and network in a convivial atmosphere during the refreshment breaks, luncheons and the gala dinner. There will also be a hospitality area hosted by Diageo on both afternoons.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
