TFWA World Exhibition 2025. Key Questions For Your Reference – Some Serious, Some Not-So-Serious. PLUS a competition, a first from TRunblocked.com
Introduction by: Peter Marshall
By the time you read this, the industry will mostly be in Cannes. I hope everyone has travelled safely – it promises to be a very busy week indeed. So, here’s a list of the key things to watch out for during the week. Some are industry issues, others are a guide on how best to survive the week.
Your List of Key Questions For Cannes:
- Will the number of buyers attending increase?
- Will TFWA decide to reinstate their press conference and take questions?
- Will brands continue to accept the ever-escalating stand spaces?
- Will buyers still request a start on Monday morning?
- Will the biggest news be: who has won the Dubai Duty Free tender?
- Will Innovation Square (I-Lab Version 2.0?) succeed?
- Will there be any more Awards ceremonies? Do retailers actually take any notice of brand winners?
- Did you choose the right shoes and clothes? (trainers during the working day are de rigueur).
- Do drink responsibly. Optional. Your choice, your hangover.
- Monitor how much sleep you get. It’s important.
- Measure the steps you take – it’s always more than you think. And check out the linked competition below.
- Stay hydrated and always take a break for fresh air (the Med Village air quality is not special)
- Will you give your gift bags to worthy local charities?
- When will you lose your voice?
- Remember to phone home.
AND HERE’S THE COMPETITION: Whoever takes the most number of steps covered between Monday 1200 and Thursday 1800 gets a very special prize (Note: immediate disqualification if you add in gym treadmill numbers – we will know!).
Just email me with your result by Sunday October 5 : Peter@trunblocked.com and have a great and successful week!
And the prize? It’s the multi-award-winning Tamdhu Gran Reserva from Ian Macleod Distillers, which only uses the finest First Fill European Oak Sherry Casks (the best of the very best) to deliver a wonderful rich and complex sherried whisky. If you know, you know!

Founder: trunblocked.com/Marshall Arts
Read Next
April 21, 2026
Parfums de Marly: Scaling a Niche Fragrance Powerhouse Through Travel Retail
April 15, 2026
Do travel retailers fully appreciate the smoke-free dynamic? By: Peter Marshall
April 13, 2026
Anora Targets Global Breakthrough for Aquavit with World Aquavit Day Makeover
April 9, 2026
Food Accademia: Putting Italian Excellence on the Travel Retail Menu. Fabrizio Canal Interviewed.