The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026 set a new attendance record for the second year in a row, attracting 8,011 visitors from 185 countries to Cannes between September 27 and October 1.
The event featured 482 exhibiting companies across 26,266 square meters of exhibition space, including 54 new exhibitors making their debut at Cannes. Visitors represented a broad geographic footprint: 56% from Europe, 17% from Asia-Oceania, 12% from the Middle East, 11% from the Americas and 4% from Africa.
Business meetings and industry engagement
The ONE2ONE meeting service facilitated nearly 2,000 business meetings, supporting connections between exhibitors and travel retail professionals. Greg Ford, General
Manager Travel Retail Americas at Pernod Ricard and newly elected TFWA Management Committee member, emphasized the event’s role in strengthening relationships and creating new business opportunities.
Conference and workshops draw over 1,700 attendees
The TFWA World Conference attracted 1,517 attendees and included an industry overview presented by TFWA President Sarah Branquinho. Four workshops engaged 278 participants, focusing on critical sector challenges and knowledge exchange. Charlène Tourneaux, TFWA Managing Director, moderated sessions and highlighted the presentations’ practical value for delegates.
Innovation spotlight on Start-Up Day
The Start-Up Day, supported by Mondelēz, showcased 10 emerging companies and offered opportunities to present new ideas to industry professionals. Stéphanie Hourlay, Sales Director at Levita Magic, noted
positive interactions and interest in enhancing travel retail experiences via innovation during the event.
Governance and networking events
New TFWA Management Committee members were elected on September 30, followed by the appointment of the Board on October 1 for the 2026–2028 term. The Board includes Jean-Pierre Bombet (Spa Development / Be Relax) as Vice-President Finance, Priscilla Haibe de Walque (Payot) as newly elected Vice-President Corporate, Irene Giatra (Estée Lauder Companies) as newly elected Vice-President Commercial, Alessio Crivelli (EssilorLuxottica) as Vice-President Marketing, and Sam Gerber (WorldConnect) as Vice-President Conference & Research.
Networking events drew significant attendance with over 3,000 guests at the Opening Cocktail at
Carlton Beach and more than 2,700 visitors at the final evening of the TFWA Lounge, sponsored by Qatar Duty Free, Haribo, Heineken, and others. Irene Giatra underscored these venues as crucial for informal industry exchanges and relationship-building.
Social initiatives support inclusion and cancer research
TFWA’s social impact efforts included the fourth edition of ‘Yes We Cannes!’ Handisport, promoting adaptive sport and inclusion. Delegates also participated in the #KickCancerThon, cycling a total of 1,502 kilometers to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Hospital. TFWA donated €10 per kilometer cycled, totaling €15,022 for cancer research, with the top individual completing 150 kilometers.
Future dates and continued partnership with Cannes
TFWA announced its next World Exhibition &
Conference will take place in Cannes from October 3-7, 2027. The partnership with SEMEC was renewed on September 28 to keep the event in Cannes for at least three additional years starting in 2027. TFWA President Sarah Branquinho highlighted the event’s record attendance and called for collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable growth aligned with changing traveler expectations.
Sponsorship and support
Qatar Duty Free served as the main partner of the TFWA Lounge, with additional sponsorship from Haribo, Heineken, Lakrids by Bülow, Liviko Crafter’s, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, Pringles, Santa Margherita, Seeberger, Storck, Walker’s Shortbread, and Wonderful Pistachios contributing to the event’s atmosphere
and success.
