Program for 2023 ASUTIL Conference unveiled
The 2023 ASUTIL Conference, which is managed by ASUTIL and TFWA, will feature a series of informative sessions on the region’s duty free and travel retail business. The event will take place at the Hotel Hilton in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires on June 7 and 8.
According to the organization, "ASUTIL President, Gustavo Fagundes and ASUTIL General Secretary, José Luis Donagaray will open the conference, while the opening keynote address from Xavier Rossinyol will outline the Dufry CEO’s vision for the future of travel retail and duty free in Latin America. This session will be moderated by The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman, Martin Moodie."
The morning will continue with m1nd-set Founder & CEO, Dr Peter Mohn, detailing the findings of a new study conducted exclusively for ASUTIL on the behavior of the Latin American shopper. A panel session on the importance of border stores and their growing share of the Latin American duty free market as foreign travel becomes more frequent will feature speakers including Neutral CEO, Marcelo Montico; BAH Free Shop CEO, Paulo Pavin; Director of Trade Policy at the Uruguayan Ministry of Economy and Finance, Juan Alfonso Labraga Brea; Federal Revenue of Brazil Regional Superintendent, Altemir Linhares de Melo and moderated by CEFSU General Secretary, Carlos Loaiza.
Day Two of the conference will explore economic challenges facing the industry, current traffic patterns in the region, the role of travel retail in Latin America’s travel ecosystem, utilizing technology effectively in duty free, and emerging digital trends. Attendees will hear from one of the region’s leading economists and Vice President of Macroview S.A, Carlos Melconian; Corporacion America CEO, Martin Eurnekian; Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) Executive Director & CEO, José Ricardo Botelho; Meta’s PanLatam Regional Director, Daniella Valeriano; and Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Americas General Manager, Gregory Ford. Dufry Latin America CEO and ASUTIL Vice President, Enrique Urioste, will close the event.
Alongside the learning opportunities, visitors to the conference will also benefit from a packed social program, which will include a Gala Dinner on June 7 and closing cocktail on June 8, as well as networking coffee and lunch breaks, and social activities and excursions on June 9.
“This year’s ASUTIL Conference will explore the factors that will define business in the post-pandemic world, from changing consumer behaviours to traffic patterns in the region. Our program of speakers features experts in their fields who will provide the latest information on the opportunities and challenges ahead. We are looking forward to the thought-provoking debates and discussions that will take place during the conference and welcoming you all to Buenos Aires," said Gustavo Fagundes, ASUTIL President & CEO Dufry Brazil.
“The ASUTIL Conference was and is a highlight of the duty free and travel retail industry calendar, and we at TFWA are proud to be lending our support this year. Visitors to the June event will have opportunities to both network and learn in the bustling Buenos Aires. The impressive line-up of speakers will explore economic forces shaping the business landscape in the region, the role of travel retail in Latin America’s travel ecosystem and travel trends. We look forward to seeing our members and business partners at this vital industry event,” added Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President.
