Gate One exhibition postponed but conference proceeds

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Tax Free World Association and Airports Council International have postponed the Gate One exhibition, scheduled for May 2003

The inaugural Gate One conference will proceed however. It takes place during the TFWA Asia Pacific show on May 22 and 23.

TFWA insisted the exhibition would take place in 2004. TFWA chief executive Andrew Ford told DFNI: "We had interest from over 70 potential exhibitors but given the political and economic challenges facing the industry, it's not the right climate to launch a new venture. But we've laid the groundwork for next year's event and both TFWA and ACI as well as the government of Singapore are all fully committed to it."

He added that bookings for this year's TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition were around the same as at this stage last year, with Dolce & Gabbana among the new names taking part.

The Gate One conference programme will feature regional, economic and commercial experts addressing a wide range of subjects including:

Managing in a new business environment
Airport commercial case studies
Focus on Asia Pacific's airport development
Airport economics - an overview
Airport retailing - designing for maximum impact
Brand advertising in the airport
Car rental and parking
Airport food and beverage services

"Non-aeronautical revenue is of crucial importance to the successful expansion and development of airport infrastructure the world over," said ACI secretary-general Alexander Strahl. "The Gate One Conference will be stimulating, pertinent and extremely informative; we want to get relevant issues aired and addressed so that together we can prepare for the future. We are strongly encouraging our members, particularly those interested in the fast-growing Asia/Oceania region, to attend this key event in the ACI calendar."