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resh from addressing delegates at his first China’s Century Conference (5-7 March) as TFWA
President, Alain Maingreaud is preparing to take centre-stage once again, this time in Singapore at the upcoming Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition. Having been with the association
since 1995, Maingreaud was elected President on Friday 14 December 2018. After becoming TFWA Managing Director in 2010, he adopted the part-time position of Associate Director on 1 October 2017. Reflecting on his first few months
in the role, he tells TRBusiness: “It’s a new role for me, but enjoyable in the sense I am able to learn a lot of new things. Being TFWA President is very interesting, but completely different from any of my previous roles within the organisation.” Becoming President certainly
wasn’t the plan when he stepped down as TFWA Managing director around a year-and-a-half ago, before being replaced by John Rimmer. “I had no plan to become
President, but life is full of surprises,” he enthuses. Last year, the largest ever number
of visitors attended the 23rd TFWA Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition. The event welcomed 3,194 industry visitors, an increase of +3% on the 3,087 attending in 2017. As this year’s event approaches,
As this year’s Asia Pacific Conference and Exhibition draws closer, Alain Maingreaud believes the event will continue to go from strength to strength. Speaking candidly to Andrew Pentol, Maingreaud reveals he did not plan to become TFWA President and that he is trying to let his predecessor enjoy his retirement.
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outside of Asia, namely the Americas, which prompted TRBusiness to ask for Maingreaud’s opinion on the recent Summit of the Americas exhibition he attended in Orlando. “The new hotel is in a better
Maingreaud remains positive as DF&TR sales in the region continue to grow well above the global average; particularly in China: “The event is developing year after year and the response from brands and buyers is extremely positive. It is not only increasing in size, but also in quality. Obviously, our show reflects the health of the market generally, with Asia the ‘engine room’ of the industry. “The investment we are seeing
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location than the previous one and most participants seem pleased with the change,” Maingreaud remarks.
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Friends in the Americas Despite the challenging nature of the Americas market due to currency fluctuations and other external influences, Maingreaud says he thought there was a positive atmosphere at the event. “We value the relationships we
from brands in Singapore suggests the show is giving value to business which is important moving forward.” Conversation turned to regions
MAY 2019
have with IAADFS and ASUTIL,” he says. “From the discussions we’ve had, they are very positive. It’s in the industry’s interest to have a strong event.” The opportunity to attend the
Duty Free World Council meeting in Orlando, alongside representatives
“The investment we are seeing from brands in Singapore suggests the show is giving value to the business which is important moving forward.”
Alain Maingreaud, TFWA President
TRBUSINESS 29
from IAADFS, ASUTIL and other associations was another reason for his presence. “This [was] a good opportunity to learn more about the market in the region because we have extensive communication with the relevant parties.” Maingreaud also takes the
opportunity to reflect on the tenure of former TFWA President Erik Juul- Mortensen. “Erik came from the industry
having worked with the likes of Absolut and Maxxium. I have
MEET THE PRESIDENT
TFWA President revels in ‘new and enjoyable role’ ahead of Singapore exhibition
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