TFWA agrees five more years at Cannes

Dermot Davitt

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Long-term agreement reached with local authorities

Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has signed an agreement with the City of Cannes to keep the show there until 2009. The news emerged today as the association held its annual general meeting in the city. Erik Juul-Mortensen was returned as president of the association for another year, and Zilli's Alexandra Schimel was named vice-president of corporate affairs, replacing Richard Ferne. The members of the management committee were also re-elected.

In other show news, TFWA announced that visitor numbers were "slightly up" on last year. Growth has come from the Americas, Asia/Pacific and Middle East, while numbers from Europe are have fallen slightly. Juul-Mortensen said: "I have sensed a great deal of optimism this year. People are putting the difficult times behind them and moving forward."

TFWA said that the Monday meeting attracted more than 600 people, and that the Asia/Pacific breakfast drew over 200. TFWA CEO Andrew Ford said: "We'll see more and more focus on Asia in the future, especially as China develops."