TFWA set to break visitor number record

TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes is set to experience record numbers of visitors this year as it debuts its ‘Digital Village’.

This year, 515 companies have signed up to exhibit at the show, up 4.7% from 492 companies last year. They will be working across 491 stands, up 4% from 472 in 2016. Visitor numbers include 61 companies who are either new or returning after a short absence including Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Cartier Parfums, skincare brand Payot Paris, jewellery brand APM Monaco and fashion brand Pourchet.

This year marks the launch of the TFWA Digital Village occupying 840 square metres at the Gare Maritime from Wednesday 4 October to Friday 6 October. Attendees have the chance to meet with over 30 exhibitors to discover more about new technology and its uses in travel retail. Make-up and skincare brand Shiseido will be sponsoring the wifi at the event.

TFWA Digital Village’s Ideas Lab workshop will run from 9am to 10am on Friday 6 October at Gare Maritime, offering delegates the chance to learn “about the most important forces shaping the digital retail revolution”. Curated by Portland Design, the workshop will feature snippets from TFWA’s upcoming researching study entitled The Digital Journey.

Representatives from a selection of TFWA Digital Village exhibitors will also discuss the opportunities that technological advances have created in the industry. All those with a TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2017 badge will have complimentary access to the Digital Village.

A range of tools are on offer at the exhibition including a new geo-localisation app which allows visitors “to geo-locate themselves on a 3D interactive floor plan and be guided along a route to a stand of their choice”. Attendees can also pre-select the exhibitors that they want to visit and record them them in a ‘visit folder’ that they can access at the show.

TFWA has also opened its Product Showcase that permits exhibitors to profile and promote their products online.

TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will take place at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, between 1 and 6 October 2017. While pre-registration has now closed, guests are welcome to register on site at the registration pavilion in Cannes.