Women In Travel Retail+

Next Gen Customer Engagement in Travel Retail
2022-11-15 | Zoom

Women in the Workplace from an HR perspective
2022-10-18 | Zoom

Join us at the WiTR networking event at TFWA in Cannes – Tuesday October 4th 1730 – 1900!
2022-10-04 16:30 - 18:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Palais des Festivals
It’s fast approaching the time when many of us will converge on Cannes for the TFWA World Conference and Exhibition.
It’s also time for Women inTravel Retail to meet at its biggest annual networking event. This is the place to be to meet old friends, make new friends and to chat with women at all stages of their careers across the broad spectrum of travel retail from cruise lines to airports, from brands to retailers, our media friends and many more.
This year we return to our usual venue in the foyer of the Palais des Festivals – but with a slightly different focus.
On arrival you will be welcomed with a glass of delicious Chandon Garden Spritz courtesy of Moet Hennessy to start off what we hope will be an enjoyable networking session where you will also hear about WiTR’s 2022 charity – the Hope Foundation.
Since 1999, the Hope Foundation has been committed to ensuring the protection of children living on the streets and in the slums of Kolkata (India). WiTR is specifically raising funds to buy a bus to safely transport women and children from HOPE’s five homes in the city housing 100 children, and a Mother and Childcare unit. Costing in the region of €15,000, the bus will replace the currently used vehicle which is 15 years old and needs to be replaced to comply with Government environmental guidelines to allow it to operate in the city.
This video illustrates the need far more eloquently than I can….
https://youtu.be/QnuNRMhpboI
This year, instead of the past raffle format, participants will be invited to contribute €20 and a business card to be entered into a draw for three prizes which will take place around 1830. Please bring cash! We are a small charity and we can’t accept online payments!!!

We would also be very grateful for any corporate or individual donations; please contact Gerry Munday, Vice Chair of WiTR at gerrymunday2811@gmail.com
Above all, this is your event. We look forward to welcoming you!

From the WiTR team:
Sarah Branquinho (Chair), Gerry Munday (Vice chair), Caroline Buisson, Myriem Chalabi, Sinead El-Sibai, Amanda Felix, Lucy Hillyard, Rowena Holland, Mona Lebrasseur, Erin Lillis, Chandra Mahtani, Lois Pasternak, Nina Semprecht, Joanne Willey

Women in Travel (WiTR) was created in 2006 to recognise the contribution of women to the travel retail industry, past, present and future and as a forum for the women in the travel retail industry. It allows us a privileged medium to exchange ideas, and just as importantly to support people in need who we believe would benefit from our help. From year to year we help different groups or communities (from Haiti to India to Sichuan) to help themselves, with a strong focus on children.

From farm to table: Wisdom of a farm girl turned international executive: from rural Germany to vibrant Miami
2022-09-13 | Zoom

When guests and shoppers blur how MeTime staycationers are the next travel retail bullseye
2022-07-18 | Zoom
Download the presentation here

How to launch a different category & brand in difficult times
2022-07-11 | Zoom

Lessons from the leadership journey
2022-05-24 | Zoom

WiTR organizes workshop for Summit of the Americas that looks at the Future of Work
2022-04-16 | Summit of the Americas
The IAADFS (International Association of Airport & Duty Free Stores) invited WiTR to be one of the content providers at the conference sessions during the 2022 Summit of the Americas, by organizing a workshop session that would have broad and relevant appeal.
The session, entitled Are you ready for the future of work? featured Noella Vincent, a well-known executive coach based in Miami, who discussed some of the biggest trends happening in the workforce today – from the impact of technology to the social function of work and human productivity – all of which have been accelerating under COVID.
Vincent was joined by Jackie McDonagh, General Manager and Director of ARI North America, who discussed the changes that have taken place in ARI’s Canadian stores over the course of the pandemic, and which changes she expects will continue into the future, and Patricia Bona, Vice President of beauty distribution company Essence Corp, who approached the topic from a Human Resources perspective, and talked about some of the hidden challenges within the new work trends. Travel Markets Insider Editor & Publisher Lois Pasternak moderated the session.
Apropos for the audience, Vincent divided her talk into five “borders” to introduce ways one can pro-actively face the new workplace reality, and these borders provided a framework for the discussion.
The WiTR program was the last one on Day One of the Summit, and was attended by a surprisingly large audience. It was quite dynamic with the four of us holding a give-and-take discussion. In a very satisfying result, it seems to have generated quite a bit of discussion afterwards, with several audience members coming up throughout the next two days to say how relevant and valuable they found it. The session also received high praise from IAADFS’ Michael Payne and Rene Riedi, who is Chairman of IAADFS.
In our introduction, we explained that the session topic was an outgrowth of the WiTR webinars that began running during the pandemic.

WiTR Breakfast Meeting in Dubai
2022-04-07 | Vida Creek Harbour Hotel,Dubai
To kick start the return of in-person meetings, a mini- WiTR breakfast meeting was arranged last week at the newly opened Vida Creek Harbour Hotel in Dubai, which was attended by several WiTR members. The breakfast coincided with the visit by UK-based Jennifer Dixon, VP – HR, Pernod Ricard who was joined by her colleague Neha Jabber, Marketing Manager – Gulf & India. With Jennifer in attendance, along with Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Dubai Duty Free, the discussion inevitably turned to HR issues for women in general and those in the industry in particular. Topics discussed included the challenges of Emiratization, maternity benefits and the need for a reintroduction into the workforce for new mums, as well as recent corporate directives that put women at the centre.
Commenting on the morning, Sinead El Sibai, SVP-Marketing at Dubai Duty Free and WiTR Middle East representative said :”It was great to have an in-person gathering again after such a long period of time. The meeting was triggered by the visit by Jennifer from Pernod Ricard who wanted to meet up with some women in senior positions in the region and to get some insights into their working lives. I certainly learnt a lot by the lively discussions that entailed and am keen to keep the conversation going.”
The WiTR breakfast was hosted by Pernod Ricard. “Thanks to Pernod Ricard for giving us the impetus to meet in person again and In the coming weeks I will be reaching out to the regional database and will plan a series of further gatherings for WiTR members,” added Sinead.
Pictured at the breakfast from left to right: Leila Ben Kacem, Customer Marketing Manager – Middle East and Asia/Pacific, Mondelez, Sharon Beecham, SVP – Purchasing, DDF, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, DDF, Jennifer Dixon, VP – HR, Pernod-Ricard, Carla Lewis, Area Sales Manager GCC, JTI, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, DDF and Neha Jabber, Marketing Manager – Gulf & India, Pernod Ricard

Ethos Farm Visit – Tudor Dynasty
2022-04-05 | Hampton Court Palace
On April 5th WiTR members braved some inclement weather to visit Hampton Court Palace, courtesy of Ethos Farm, and learn more about the Tudor dynasty and it’s (in)famous king – Henry VIII. The Palace had been transformed from a country house to a magnificent palace by Henry’s Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
The stunning Ethos Farm premises is just outside the Palace Walls. We met there and enjoyed a convivial glass of bubbly and a light lunch while Josie Barton, co-founder of Ethos Farm along with Sally Alington, regaled us with the history of the Palace, and the story of Henry VIII and his six wives. This was no simple story-telling. Josie is passionate about history, and in particular with Tudor dynasty, and we were blown away by her talk, illustrated with beautiful artwork images from the era. Her ability to entrance us partly explains Ethos Farm’s success in telling brand and customer stories, and we concluded that Josie has a future career presenting documentaries on TV!
Inspired by Josie, we set off for the Palace, visiting the vast kitchens where state banquets were prepared as well as fare for the hundreds of staff who worked at the Palace, followed by the State Apartments before leaving trough the magnificent gardens. We didn’t have time to explore fully the Georgian part of the palace but all felt that we would want to return to explore further – perhaps on a less blustery day!
A huge thank you to our Ethos Farm friends and hosts!

Finding your purpose, Leading with purpose
2022-03-08 | Zoom

Sustainability
2021-09-15

Refocus on You & Making the Most of Your Skills
2021-07-14 | Zoom

Conducting business in China – Hainan 1 year on how to successfully adapt to change
2021-06-07 | Zoom

Career progression female leadership in the Spirits industry
2021-05-25 | Zoom

TFWA Cannes – Annual Fundraising Event
2019-10-01 17:30 (Europe/London) | By the Business Centre and Hotels desk on Level 1 at the Palais des Festivals
All WiTR member and ladies of the travel retail and duty free industry are invited to join us at our annual fundraising event. Join us for a glass of prosecco, thanks to Follador. There will be a silent auction, business card draw and other surprises on the evening. Please remember to bring €20 for the business card draw! See you there!

Hong Kong Mandarin Salon event
2019-09-09 | Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
On 10 September, a group of travel retail professionals met at the stunning salon on the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong for a fun networking event!
The ladies arrived to beautifully prepared canapes & aperitifs which set the mood for the us to get to know each other before moving to seats for hair & make up tutorials including easy ‘hair up’ & day to night make up techniques. We had the exclusive trial of a new iPedicure treatment & also a discount on all products to buy & take away.
Looking ahead we’ll be planning more events in HK & excited to grow our WiTR family in the region!

Hong Kong Pink Drinks
2019-05-30 11:00 - 15:00 (Asia/Hong_Kong) | Bobby’s Rabble Wyndham at 46 Wyndham Street
Networking over a glass of ‘something pink’. Selected drinks (GH Mumm Champagne, Beefeater Pink Gin, Whispering Angel Rose Wine and Chase Vodka Cocktails) are available at HK$50 per glass, with HK$5 per glass going to WiTR’s charity of the year.

Jewel Tour, Singapore
2019-05-11
On Sunday, 12 May 2019, WiTR members who attended TFWA in Singapore were treated to a tour of the spectacular new tourist destination – Jewel Changi.

WiTR celebrates International Women’s Day in Singapore
2019-03-11 | Changi Airport
On the 12th of March 2019, WiTR organised an intimate networking and insight-sharing event at Changi Airport to celebrate International Women’s Day.
In line with International Women’s Day 2019 theme of ‘Balance for Better’, this year’s event focused on the balance between inner and outer beauty, illustrated in sharing sessions by co-sponsors beauty company Shiseido and traditional Chinese medicine specialist Eu Yan Sang, along with WiTR Steering Committee Member Chandra Mahtani (Changi Airport Group).
Hosted in Singapore at Changi Airport Recreation Club’s Altitude Lounge, the event attracted nearly 50 female executives from the travel retail industry, as well as local brands and operators.
Chandra kicked off the evening’s programme with a welcome address that detailed WiTR’s efforts to bring together female peers from different segments of travel retail – not just in terms of networking, but also in making a meaningful difference to people in need. Chandra shared the outcome of WiTR’s fundraising efforts last year for the charity organisation Hand in Hand for Haiti, as well as WiTR’s current fundraising plans for Friends International. The funds will be used for beauty salon training for young women to enable them to provide for their children and siblings.
The event continued with an insightful sharing session on Japanese beauty by Ms. Kristina Strunz, Global Brand Director Skincare Shiseido & Cle de Peau.
Mr. Ng Pu Jue, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialist Trainer, concluded the session with an informative discussion on health and wellness.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner buffet and donated generously to WiTR’s appointed charity, Friends International. An exciting lucky draw with prizes sponsored by Shiseido, Eu Yan Sang, Shilla, DFS, FNA, Pashma, WHSmith and Sprint-Cass marked the end of a wonderful evening for women in travel retail. All guests went home with door gifts generously sponsored by Shiseido, Eu Yan Sang and WHSmith.
Ms. Elisabeth Jouguelet, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation, Shiseido Travel Retail, commented: “As a beauty company, women are the core of who we are. We are proud to celebrate International Women’s Day with WiTR and Changi Airport Group and we believe that bringing women in the travel retail industry together is empowering and provides networking opportunities that will foster creativity, collaboration and partnership.”
Ms. Serene Seow, Managing Director, Eu Yan Sang Singapore, was delighted with the event’s turnout and said,
“Eu Yan Sang is privileged and honoured to celebrate International Women’s Day with WiTR and Changi Airport Group. Caring for generations of women since 1879, we believe in building women’s confidence through health and wellness – a healthier mind, body and skin. By connecting through health and wellness, we hope to provide women in the travel retail industry with a better networking platform that will foster more collaboration and partnership.”
