TFWA has finalised the line-up of speakers for the thought-provoking conference on the theme "A brand new world", which will open at TFWA World Exhibition in the Palais des Festivals, Cannes on Monday, 19 September 2011.
In a fast-changing world, where political unrest, conflict and natural disasters affect many economies and industries, not least travel and tourism, it is imperative to understand the implications for landlords, operators, retailers and for brands themselves. As already announced, the headline speaker will be former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, who will present his perception of today’s world where economic, political and climatic events have radical impacts on travel, tourism and trade. TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen will sum up the current state of the global duty free and travel retail industry and highlight some of the ways in which the industry might adapt to the evolving commercial scenario. Michele Norsa, CEO Salvatore Ferragamo and a veteran of the world of prestige brands, will look at how a traditional luxury brand with age-old family values can adapt to this evolving trading environment. He will reflect on how brands must adapt to accommodate the influx of Asian consumers to the luxury goods market in this "brand new world" and assess the importance of digital technology in the retail space.
Stephane Garelli, professor at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) and at the University of Lausanne, will provide a refreshing perspective on the global economic situation. He will look at the factors which will influence economic growth region by region, where the potential may really lie and why. He will also look at how brands and businesses can adapt business models to become more innovative and competitive. TFWA World Exhibition, the biggest and most important exhibition of duty free and travel retail products in the calendar, will open immediately after the Conference and will run until midday on Friday, 23 September.
For further details and pre-registration, visit TFWA.