Yes we Cannes

With less than two weeks to go until this year’s Tax Free World Association World Exhibition gets underway in Cannes, organisers are confident that visitor numbers will return to levels last seen two years ago, before the recession hit attendance figures in 2009.

Pre-registered visitor statistics show an increase of 8% on 2009, with the number of companies attending also up 5% on the year.

The show, held at the Palais des Festivals from 17-22 October, is always one of the biggest gatherings of premium drinks brands anywhere in the world, providing a platform for the coming year in the global travel-retail and duty-free industries.

The big players on the world drinks stage will be out in force to showcase their latest products, while visitors can also take their pick from a packed schedule of seminars and networking events to ensure they get the most they can out of the event.

International pop star Mika will perform a private concert at Le Premium Evening – the finale to the week-long exhibition – in the grand auditorium on 22 October, while db’s sister title The Spirits Business is gearing up to host its annual, showstopping Cannes party to celebrate the Travel Retail Masters and the Vodka Masters.

The event, held in association with Tequila Corralejo and Vodka Boker, and supported by De Kuyper, will take place at The Carlton Beach Restaurant on Monday, 18 October from 5pm-8pm.

Guests will have the chance to enter the Tequila Corralejo raffle, where the first prize is a luxury leather jacket and a bottle of “99,000 hours” special edition Tequila Corralejo.

Second prize in the raffle is dinner with Miss Mexico 2007 and The Spirits Business team after the party.

To confirm your attendance, email daisy@thespiritsbusiness.com

For more information on the exhibition, visit www.tfwa.com

Alan Lodge, 06.10.2010