IAADFS hails rise in quality of Florida show

John Rimmer

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The Duty Free Show of the Americas came to an end yesterday (March 28) after an event marked by improvements in the quality of delegates and stands, although timing concerns remain

The Duty Free Show of the Americas came to an end in Fort Lauderdale yesterday (March 28), with organiser International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) hailing a big increase in the quality of stands on the exhibition's tradefloor. Executive director Michael Payne admitted that the show's timing over a weekend had had a detrimental effect, but said that IAADFS expected visitor numbers to be similar to last year's figure.
 
"We think visitor numbers have held up well, although there will not be a huge advance on last year," he said. "We knew the weekend situation would hurt us. It's not as convenient, not preferable and not a pattern for the future. There are some advantages in terms of the cost of setting up during the week instead of at the weekend, but it would be naïve to say that staging the show at the weekend hasn't hurt us a little."
 
Payne paid tribute to the efforts of exhibitors in improving the quality of their stands for this year's show. "People have been very impressed by the quality of the stands, such as the Bvlgari and Pernod Ricard booths. Exhibitors tell me that they have been booked heavily, particularly on Monday because of the weekend issue. We're already talking to some exhibitors about next year's event and we feel good about the way the whole show has gone."
 
Payne expressed confidence that some of the big suppliers that have until now stayed away from Fort Lauderdale will be lured back by the improved quality of the tradefloor.
 
Next year's Duty Free Show of the Americas will be held on April 22-26 and will return to the regular Monday to Thursday slot, with the sports day taking place on the preceding Sunday.

For a free view of RavenFox.com sister publication The Florida Daily, distributed at the Duty Free Show of the Americas, click here.