The 2015 edition of the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, which was held on 18-23 October at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, closed on a slight reduction in the total number of visitors compared with last year’s record figure.

A total of 6,558 visitors from 3,026 companies attended the event, compared with 6,701 visitors (-2%) from 3,105 companies (-3%) last year.

However, of the total, 2,183 people (33%) were key buyers - duty free & travel retail operators and landlords of airports, airlines, ferry, cruise, border and downtown concerns - up +2% on the previous year’s figure of 2,132, from 643 companies vs 618 in 2014 (+4%). Adding the 2,401 agents and distributors (1,145 companies) to this figure produces a total of 4,584 (1,788 companies) of influential trade executives in the industry who were present at this year’s event.

Our key visitor category - landlords, duty free & travel retail operators - was extremely well represented with a 2% increase in delegates and 4% rise in the number of companies over 2014. Agents and distributors also arrived in greater numbers than last year, which is very pleasing,” commented Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President.

On the 21,500 m2 trade floor were 482 exhibitors (475 in 2014), including eight luxury yachts in the Harbour Village

The 31st TFWA World Exhibition & Conference has been completed successfully. Initial feedback from visitors and exhibitors has been very positive and we will endeavour to rectify any issues which have come to light in time for next year. We look forward to meeting colleagues at our next industry event, the MEADFA Conference in Jordan, on 23 and 24 November,” concluded Erik Juul-Mortensen.

The next edition of the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will take place in Cannes, France, on 2-7 October 2016.