MEADFA Conference program announced

The Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) has revealed the full agenda for its 2025 Conference, taking place from November 9–11 at InterContinental Dubai Festival City.

The event begins with the Opening Cocktail on Sunday evening, followed by two days of debate, insights and networking. Moderators Dermot Davitt and Michele Mirandawill open proceedings alongside MEADFA President Abdeslam Agzoul.

Day one will feature a high-level panel with Abdeslam Agzoul (Avolta), Nuno Amaral (ARI),Chichi Maponya (Africa Travel Retail), Vincent Romet (Lagardère Travel Retail), and Bernard Schlafstein (Gebr. Heinemann) on “Leading through change.” Sessions will also include “Safeguarding tomorrow’s travel retail” with members of the MEADFA Advocacy Committee and partners including MEADFA Advocacy Committee Chair Nuno Amaral, Roger Jackson, Chichi Maponya, DFWC President Sarah Branquinho and COMESA Secretary General Teddy Soobramaniem. Following, Ilia Lioutov (ACI World) will discuss economic trends, and Stephen Hillam (Pi Insight) will speak on evolving consumer preferences in “Luxury, local, and lifestyle.”

Day two begins with “Risk & resilience: navigating MEA’s business landscape,” presented by Trevor McFarlane (EMIR). Other highlights include “Destination Saudi: growth & opportunity,” a sustainability update from Dr. Munif Mohammed, a discussion on African travel retail with Ali Tounsi (ACI Africa), Harald Suenner (Gebr. Heinemann) and Claudio Ferreira (JTI), and “The India Effect,” exploring the impact of Indian travelers with Pooja Padmanabhan Bommidala (BBM Travel Retail), Renat Rozpravka (Muscat Duty Free), and Mudit Srivastava (Cococart). The conference closes with IATA’s Martina Bednarikova presenting the latest aviation trends.

The Gala Dinner will be hosted by Avolta, with sponsors including Heinemann MEA, Lagardère Travel Retail, Mazaya, Chkoudra, JT International, ARMAF, Al Haramain, ARI Middle East, Gulf Beverages, Imperial Brands and MMI, with many others.

“As this year’s event draws closer, it gives me great pleasure to be able to share details on the packed programme we’ve crafted for delegates joining us in Dubai,” said Abdeslam Agzoul, MEADFA President. “Each session will be of great value, and we have worked hard to ensure that the learnings offered throughout the week will be both comprehensive and relevant to all professionals attending.”

Philippe Margueritte, TFWA President, added: “Looking at the program that has been put together for this year’s event fills me with confidence that this edition will be both enjoyable and productive, leaving delegates with many valuable learnings to take back to their business.”

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