New-look Americas show attracts strong interest

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Bookings are well underway for next year's Duty Free Show of the Americas, with over half the available space already requested.

0The International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) is gearing up for next year's Duty Free Show of the Americas, scheduled to take place from April 17-21 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
 
To date, IAADFS said it has received booking requests from more than 110 companies worldwide requesting 51% of the available space at the upcoming show. Also, 22% of the returning booth exhibitors have indicated a desire for additional space, with some companies planning on doubling their booth size.

IAADFS president Alberto Motta Jr said: ?We are delighted with the high level of interest from returning floor and suite exhibitors from the Orlando show and we are extremely pleased to be welcoming companies that have not participated in the show in recent years. Exhibitors are already taking advantage of the larger exhibit hall, higher ceilings and open spaces to plan new, creative layouts and designs for their display areas.?

IAADFS added in a statement: ?The 2005 Duty Free Show's new location and amenities in Fort Lauderdale will allow for greater flexibility, higher traffic volume and new booth design possibilities for exhibitors, including two-level booths. In addition to the increased size of the exhibit hall and height of ceilings, exhibitors will be able to create private meeting space and less confined, non-linear floor plans.?

In past years, IAADFS has sent the first exhibitor mailing to association supplier members in early September. But bookings for the 2005 Show are already well underway, it said.

IAADFS executive director Michael Payne said: ?Our goal is to keep exhibitor costs as low as possible. We have designed a space rental fee structure that is very competitive and the expansion of the exhibit portion of the show has allowed us to keep the cost of space in line with past years, while including additional complimentary exhibitor registrations, as well as all inbound and outbound freight handling fees. These freight fees were previously charged separately to exhibitors and had become quite a burden.?

Details for hotel booking arrangements and other logistical requirements will be sent to all association members in early September, and additional information about the 2005 show may be found at www.iaadfs.org under Duty Free Show of the Americas.