TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026 set a new attendance record for the second consecutive year, hosting 8,011 visitors from 185 countries in Cannes between September 27 and October 1. The event attracted a significant proportion of duty-free and travel retail operators, agents, and distributors, who accounted for 65% of attendees. Visitors originated predominantly from Europe (56%), followed by Asia-Oceania (17%), the Middle East (12%), the Americas (11%), and Africa (4%).
Exhibition Scale and Business Engagement
The exhibition featured 482 companies occupying 26,266 square meters of space, including 54 new exhibitors making their debut in Cannes. The ONE2ONE meeting service facilitated nearly 2,000 business discussions
over the course of the event, highlighting the focus on strengthening industry relationships and exploring new commercial opportunities.
Conference Attendance and Innovation Spotlight
The opening session of the TFWA World Conference attracted 1,517 attendees and included a keynote State of the Industry address by TFWA President Sarah Branquinho. Four workshops convened 278 participants who engaged in in-depth discussions on industry challenges and opportunities. The event also hosted Start-Up Day, supported by Mondelēz, featuring 10 emerging companies that gained international exposure and networking opportunities within the travel retail community.
Industry Leadership and Networking
TFWA elected a new Management Committee and Board for 2026–2028 during the event. The Board includes Vice-Presidents
Jean-Pierre Bombet (Finance, Spa Development / Be Relax), Priscilla Haibe de Walque (Corporate, Payot), Irene Giatra (Commercial, Estée Lauder Companies), Alessio Crivelli (Marketing, EssilorLuxottica), and Sam Gerber (Conference & Research, WorldConnect). Networking events saw over 3,000 guests at the Opening Cocktail on Carlton Beach and more than 2,700 attendees at the TFWA Lounge on the final evening, providing informal settings for relationship building.
Social Impact Initiatives and Future Planning
The fourth edition of ‘Yes We Cannes!’ Handisport promoted inclusion and accessibility through adaptive sports in partnership with Stade Toulousain Handisport and m1nd-set. Delegates participated in the #KickCancerThon cycling event, covering 1,502 kilometers on stationary bikes and
raising €15,022 for cancer research at The Royal Marsden Hospital. Following the renewal of its partnership with SEMEC, TFWA confirmed Cannes as the venue for the event through at least 2030. The next TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is scheduled for October 3-7, 2027.
