DFNI to gather industry for first travel-retail cruise & ferry event

A stellar line-up of industry experts from the maritime retail channel will travel to Rome next week for the inaugural DFNI Cruise Ferry Conference.

The event, which marks the travel retail and duty-free industry’s very first gathering dedicated to the fast-growing cruise and ferry channel, has generated huge interest from the industry and has now sold out.  It will take place at the Mercure Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport Hotel on 11-13th June.

The ocean cruise passenger market surpassed 2017 projections to reach 26.7 million globally – a staggering 20.5% year-on-year increase, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

CLIA predicts another positive year-over-year growth for the industry with a passenger forecast of 28 million in 2018. These figures are based on the astounding numbers of new vessels and regional deployment scheduled to launch this year alone – 27 this year and at least seven new launches are planned annually from 2019 to 2022.

“In addition to the many places cruise ships visit, they have become destinations themselves,” says CLIA Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships Bo Larsen ahead of his keynote speech at the conference next week.

“Our guests expect a full onboard experience including entertainment, dining and of course, great retail. With the growth of cruising comes an opportunity for retailers to address a wider, more diverse audience.”

Joining CLIA’s Larsen on the speaker roster for next week’s DFNI Cruise Ferry Conference, are:

Travel, consumer and regulatory trends experts

Julie Lassaigne,
Deputy Secretary General,
European Travel Retail Confederation

Peter Mohn,
CEO,
m1nd-set

Sally Alington,
Founder and CEO,
Ethos Farm

Clara Perez Perucchi,
Travel Retail Research Director,
m1nd-set

Bo Larsen,
Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships,
Cruise Lines International Association

Retailers and Operators

Adrian Pittaway, Corporate Head of Retail, MSC Cruises

Silvia Mazzuccato
Head of Business Development – Italy, Lagardère Travel Retail

Kaj Takolander

Magnus Skjörshammer, Business Development Director, Tallink Duty Free

Lynette Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Experience Officer, Starboard Cruise Services

Mark Birnie,
Director of Retail Strategy Business Development, Harding Retail

Rene Riedi, Divisional Chief Executive Officer, Dufry Group

Francesco Lancia,
Head of Commercial Development,
Aeroporti di Roma

Verman Wong,
Consultant,
Cruise Line Retail

Brand Perspective

Alessandro Pozzi, Head of Global Channels, Luxottica Group

Anja Zwygart,
Key Account Manager Travel Retail, Swarovski AG

Gemma Bateson,
Corporate Affairs Communications Director WWDF, Japan Tobacco International

John McDonnell,
Managing Director International, Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Mark Edington,
Regional Director Europe North America, William Grant Sons Brands Ltd

Neil Ebbutt,
Director Global Travel Retail, Rituals Cosmetics

Stéphanie Lefebvre,
Travel Retail Director EMEA, Lacoste

Digital and design viewpoints

Rob Penn,
CEO and Co-Founder,
Concourse Display Management

Clark Gu,
General Manager,
CNPay Global Limited

Eric Yin, Citcon USA LLC

Topics range from how to drive sales onboard from today’s evolving cruise and ferry customer, challenges and opportunities to the business such as Brexit, and the latest consumer insight research.

Furthermore, we look at future trends in the cruise and ferry market, how digital and design can impact the shopping experience and strategies to building brands at sea.

In addition, the event includes excellent networking opportunities including a welcoming cocktail sponsored by William Grant Sons and gala dinner sponsored by Masi and Laurent Perrier. Lanyards and badges are provided by JTI and m1nd-set is DFNI exclusive research partner for the event.

Supporting partners include Bravo Handbags, Crafter’s Gin, 4 Cruise Supply, Infinity Co, Lambretta Watches, Oliver Weber, Pasco, Perfetti Van Melle, Rituals and Wild Tiger Rum.