Summit of the Americas
Going virtual at the Summit of the Americas
With the Summit of the Americas – A Virtual Experience set to go live next week (5-9 April), we bring you a guide to this pioneering all-digital event.
The stage is set for the first major travel retail industry gathering of the year, the Summit of the Americas – A Virtual Experience, which takes place from 5 to 9 April. Initially planned for West Palm Beach, Florida, the continuing challenges presented by COVID-19 meant that a physical event could not be held this year. Regional associations IAADFS and ASUTIL moved quickly to examine the virtual option, partnering with The Moodie Davitt Report, which hosted the successful Virtual Travel Retail Expo last October. IAADFS Chairman René Riedi says that the virtual platform will still offer superb value for exhibitors and visitors. “The main goal remains unaltered and is to deliver much needed content and industry information as well as provide exhibition and networking opportunities for our members and industry colleagues with a clear regional focus. This becomes evident if you consult this year’s educational programme as part of the Knowledge Hub.
René Riedi: The virtual event will offer superb value
Visitors will enter a virtual world that offers a premium exhibitor showcase and networking opportunities
“Our ambition has always been to create an event that is indispensable for everyone no matter their size in the market or someone who wishes to become engaged in the Americas. Many smaller industry players do not have the means to cultivate the relationship with their client base or expand their network on a regular basis. “The Summit of the Americas is the ideal platform to interact with your counterparts or seek new brands and products or additional sales and distribution markets. “We believe in the success of this year’s virtual Summit of the Americas and plan to continue offering an annual event in the future. If COVID-19 is under control it will be again in person in West Palm Beach [in 2022] with a format that meets the demands and expectations of our industry.” The Summit of the Americas is a premium virtual trade show and symposium, complete with Main Atrium, Exhibition Hub, Knowledge Hub and Engagement Lounge. It features a variety of stands where exhibitors can showcase products and services. Online visitors (buyers and other retail management) can view videos, read and download literature and chat with exhibitors in real time (with real-time chat translation), as well as attending keynote presentations and panel discussions, and networking with other visiting delegates in the virtual auditorium. After the live event, all exhibitor stands will remain open and active for a 30-day ‘encore’ and will be available online 24 hours per day.
Added value: Exhibitor stands will remain open and active for a 30-day ‘encore’ post-event
So far the event has attracted teams from over 65 retail and F&B companies and over 20 airports and airlines, plus trade association representatives. The Summit is supported by more than 35 Gold, Silver and Bronze partners (exhibitors and sponsors). These include Al Tounbak, Altria, Anatomie, Arterra Wines, B&D, Casa AGP, Delaviuda Confectionery Group, Duty Free Global, El Almendro, Essence Corp, Ferrero Travel Market, Flor de Caña, Haleybrooke International, JTI, Lego, Loacker, Mazaya, McCormick Distilling, Monarq Group, Mondelez World Travel Retail, Oribe, Proximo Global Travel Retail, SaniGo, Seva Group, Servy, Somrus, Spark Group, Stoli Group and Zimpex. The Summit of the Americas features a powerful and diverse set of speakers in the Knowledge Hub, for which the line-up and agenda can be found here. Views on the shape and rhythm of recovery in the Americas market will be a central focus of the sessions. Themes to be explored include the reshaping of the airport experience (via a series of airport CEO interviews), changing consumer demand, digitalisation, the business model, alongside sessions that analyse travel prospects for the region and on the economic outlook. The event will also host the DFNI Americas Awards, as well as a Sustainability Session led by TRBusiness.
Exhibitor partners will showcase their goods and services in two virtual halls
The Summit also includes an engaging and dynamic programme of Engagement Lounge sessions, used by partners to launch, promote and educate through virtual masterclasses, tastings and demonstrations. The agenda is available here. The Summit of the Americas – A Virtual Experience is open to airports and all other landlords from travel-related sectors; retailers, food & beverage operators and other commercial service providers; brands, agents & distributors; media and other relevant parties. More information on the Exhibition Hub, Knowledge Hub, Engagement Lounge and the full agenda plus registration is available at this link.
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The Moodie Davitt eZine Issue 293 | 29 March 2021
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 15 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (Moodie International Ltd). © All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the Publisher. To find out more visit www.moodiedavittreport.com and to subscribe, please e-mail sinead@moodiedavittreport.com