Security workshop date set for Cannes

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Tax Free World Association has agreed to sponsor a special security workshop during the TFWA World Exhibition, designed to help members to combat theft in the travel-retail environment

Airport operators and retailers have been invited to attend the Airport Retail Security Workshop early on Tuesday October 22 in Auditorium J, level 4 of the Palais des Festivals. Security expert Rinus Meelis of Meelis Security Management will suggest ways in which airports and retailers worldwide can work together to combat crime, applying methods of theft prevention used successfully in domestic stores.

The incidence of theft from shops at major airports has increased dramatically in the last two years according to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol security expert Bart Moss. "Investigations and subsequent arrests show that a large proportion of these incidents can be related directly to professional theft," explained Moss.

"A small group of individuals travelling from western and eastern European airports, often flying on low cost airlines, are visiting the See Buy Fly shopping centre in Amsterdam. In most cases these groups never leave the airport and in a short time they manage to steal a considerable amount of valuable merchandise and leave on the return flight."

TFWA vice president business development Thom Rankin commented, "We are very fortunate that Rinus Meelis is able to join us in Cannes to give us some pointers on ways to tackle an international problem which impacts directly on the bottom line. I would strongly urge all airport representatives and retailers to attend."

The workshop will follow a Gate One breakfast meeting which starts at 8.00am on October 22, also in Auditorium J. 

• To attend these events contact Francoise Parigi at TFWA on email: f.parigi@tfwa.com before October 11.
  
• All attendees must be registered for the TFWA World Exhibition and must wear their official badge.