By all accounts, this year’s IAADFS show was a positive experience, with attendance increasing by 13% over last year

Opening cocktail click here for photos

The exhibition click here for photos

Essence Corp. cocktail click here for photos

WiT breakfast click here for photos

Absolut cocktail click here for photos

Patrón cocktail click here for photos

Gala evening click here for photos

Attendance and feedback indicate
last week’s IAADFS show was a success

Americas Duty Free recently sat down with Michael Payne, Executive Director of the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS), to discuss last week’s show. Payne asserted that attendees were pleased with the exhibition and that the excitement surrounding the return to the Orlando World Center Marriot was palpable during the four-day event.

“The show went very well,” said Payne. “We have received very positive feedback from attendees. Also, I had a breakfast meeting the morning of the last day of the show with a number of exhibitors just to get some informal feedback and it’s all constructive and positive, which is great. From what I can see, people feel good about the show and I’m also very happy with how things have gone.”

Despite the above fact, Payne notes that there are some small changes that may take place between now and next year’s show: “Of course you can always improve, and we plan on taking some steps to make the show more user friendly next year, such as making food more accessible during the middle of the day and perhaps adjusting the hours a little as examples. On the whole, however, I think the response has been very positive; as far as the layout and the general structure of the show, people seem to be very pleased.”

Commenting on the return to the World Center Marriot in Orlando, Payne highlighted the increased networking capabilities available to attendees: “What we were looking for was a way to facilitate productive, efficient business-to-business communication, and I think we’ve accomplished that very successfully here in Orlando with everyone under one roof. Add to this the fact that social networking is much easier in the evening and I think it has made for a great show.”

Finally, when asked about attendance for this year’s show, Payne noted that he will have more detailed information later in the week. However, he did confirm that attendance was about 13% above last year, with the number of delegates reaching 2,710. Attendance in all categories has risen, but Payne noted the increase in the number of buyers at this year’s show was particularly significant.

Next year’s IAADFS show will go back to the dates of March 20–24. Many will also be pleased to note that the venue, the Orlando World Center Marriot, will remain the same.