INTERNATIONAL. The Trinity spirit of partnership between industry stakeholders in order to benefit the consumer and grow the business for all parties appears to have been recharged by the success of this year’s Trinity Forum in Macau.
The event, held on 23-25 September, ranked alongside the first Forum in 2003 in terms of quality of debate and a real feeling of industry leaders championing the cause of collective progress.
Trinity reignited
And I pledge you this – the next Trinity Forum will be a whole step up again...
Although delegate numbers were down significantly (mainly brands and airports due to the economic crisis), some 180 high-level attendees heard two days of stimulating, and often provocative and controversial presentations and debate. [We will bring you a full Picture Gallery of the event soon].
"Despite the smaller numbers of airports, brand owners and retailers (there should have been more presence I believe... with the importance of non-aeronautical income) I think it was a great Forum," said Zürich Airport Chief Commercial Officer Peter Eriksson.
"We are already setting up follow-up meetings with Diageo and some other participants. I am confident that at least some stakeholders are taking a step in the right direction.”
Peter Eriksson was in engaging and eloquent mood at Trinity, arguing the need for an enhanced retail experience
As reported, the event was lit up on day two by a powerful speech from Diageo Global Travel & Middle East (GTME) Managing Director Phil Humphreys who challenged the audience to embrace Trinity principles. “Now is the time for the Trinity to step up like never before,” he said. “For airport authorities, for retailers, for suppliers to come together to collaborate like never before. This is our time.”
He said the combination of an economic downturn (and its related impact on the travel retail channel, low footfall (23% of passengers go into liquor stores) and limitations on many travel retail store environments provided the elements of “a perfect storm that could either transform our business model or sink us”.
“We as the leaders in this industry have failed to grasp the opportunity that has been put before us – that is right there in front of us today. And it’s not too late.”
Diageo Global Travel & Middle East Managing Director Phil Humphreys (top left) addressed the theme ‘Creating a grand consumer stage’, winning plaudits from airport companies and retailers alike – including The Nuance Group CEO Roberto Graziani (above left) and Abu Dhabi Airports Company Vice President of Commercial Revenues, Dan Cappell (above right)
Humphreys cited airports such as Heathrow T5, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Barcelona (T1) and Incheon which did provide “great” shopping environments and which could provide the vehicle for taking the business to a new level. He drew particular pleasure from Diageo GTME's partnership with DFS and Changi Airport Group (shown on The Moodie View below), which has seen the Terminal 3 concourse area used for a high-profile Johnnie Walker Black Label promotion using a full-size F1 racing car.
The Trinity at work as Diageo, DFS and Changi Airport Group bring the Singapore Grand Prix to life at T3
Equally he said some suppliers, notably in the confectionery category, had helped transform the offer and drive volumes. He saluted a number of retailers, such as King Power International in Thailand and DFS at Changi Airport, who were “really going after the game”.
Others, he said, simply came up with reasons for not instigating change rather than for implementing it. Nor did he think economic crisis was any justification for lack of activity.
Humphrey’s challenge to the industry to pursue Trinity principles was backed by an assurance that Diageo GTME would invest heavily with partners who committed themselves to change and to driving footfall. That struck a chord with progressive airport executives such as Peter Eriksson of Zurich Airport, Dan Cappell of Abu Dhabi International and Derek Larsen of Sydney, and retailers such as Susan Whelan of King Power International and Roberto Graziani of The Nuance Group.
We’ll bring you an extensive report on The Trinity Forum in the October issue of The Moodie Report Digital Print Edition.
FOOTNOTE: At the conclusion of the event, the organisers (ACI and The Moodie Report) announced they would be making a US$7,500 donation to cleft charity The Smile Train China – enough to fund 30 life-transforming operations That was swiftly complemented when Stuart Bull of Mars International Travel Retail, who had been the lucky winner of a replica F1 helmet set signed by Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton, asked for it to be auctioned on the spot.
Generosity of spirit: Dan Cappell and Stuart Bull helped drive a whirlwind US$11,000 fund-raiser for The Smile Train
That raised another US$1,000 from Abu Dhabi Airports Company’s Dan Cappell, bringing the total to US$8,500. King Power Group (Hong Kong) Managing Director Antares Cheng then pledged a donation of US$1,500 to bring the total to US$10,000.
But matters didn’t end there. Dan Cappell announced he was donating his prize back to be re-bid, drawing a US$1,000 offer from well-known UK retailer and consultant David King of The David King Partnership. That meant a total of US$11,000 – funding for 44 children’s cleft operations in China. The Trinity Forum 2009 had concluded as it began – by returning the smiles to people’s faces.
EARLY REACTION TO THE 2009 TRINITY FORUM
I was impressed with the quality of the speakers you assembled and got excellent value out of the discussions in and around the event. - Scott Norris, General Manager Commercial Service, Perth Airport
I would like to thank you very much for the wonderful conference as well as the opportunity for me to participate in the same and I look forward to being a part of your programmes in the future. - Deepak Talwar, IDFS
I think (and it is the feedback from all I spoke to) that it was a great event. - Enrique Urioste, President, Duty Free Americas Airport Division
Congratulations to your great success of the Trinity Forum, it’s very informative and impressive! - Antonio Hao, Marketing Director, China Duty Free Group
Thanks very much for hosting one of the better conferences I have attended. The quality and content of this year’s event was extraordinary and comprehensive. - Devesh Kuwadekar, Marketing Manager, Qatar Duty Free
Thank you for organizing a great conference - despite the tough economic climate. I found the debate to be very valuable and, as someone relatively new to the industry, I established some great contacts. - Adrian Littlewood, General Manager - Retail & Commercial, Auckland Airport
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