René Carayol specialises in leadership and culture, drawing from his experiences as a senior executive and board member of some of the biggest British and American organisations; from Pepsi (UK) and Marks & Spencer to IPC Media and the Inland Revenue. He is the best selling author of the leadership and culture bible, “Corporate Voodoo”, a regular television and radio broadcaster for the BBC and a Visiting Professor at Cass Business School. In 2004 he was awarded an MBE for outstanding service to the business community.
René is now CEO of the Inspired Leaders Network, with operations in London, Belfast and Johannesburg. He has provided leadership support to the likes of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, the Home Office and McKinsey and Co. and has worked closely with some of the world’s greatest leaders; from former US President Bill Clinton and the last Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and former US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Dermot Davitt, Editor, The Moodie Report
René Carayol, CEO, Inspired Leaders Network
What is the story behind the success of duty free in the Middle East? How have the retailers and airport authorities positioned the duty free offer in the region? What is influencing such rapid growth in the region? René Carayol will explore some of the secrets behind the industry’s rapid growth in the region, analysing some of elements which have lead to such a strong “duty free brand” in the Middle East and how retailers, airports and suppliers can help position the industry to travelling consumers to further enhance performance in the years to come.
With the arrival of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa this year, it’s no surprise that half year growth rates grew from 4,5% in 2009 to over 24% in the first six months of this year. This session will reveal how operators in South Africa coped with and have benefited from such a huge influx of international arrivals and how they plan to maintain growth in the post-World Cup era. The session will also feature a consumer focus, through a survey carried out at South African airports earlier this year. Peter Mohn of M1NDSET Research will share the results of a consumer survey at both Cape Town and Johannesburg airports, providing a greater understanding of the preferences and behaviour of shoppers in South African duty free shops.
Selwyn Grimsley, Managing Director, Tourvest Duty Free
Dr Peter Mohn, Partner, M1NDSET
Airports are increasingly getting tuned into the possibilities provided by technology. Integrating airport information systems with retailer POS systems to RFID tagging of passenger boarding or customer loyalty cards; these are just some of the topics which will be discussed to illustrate the untapped opportunities which could have a significant impact on the bottom line.
Michael Ibbitson, Vice President Information & Communication Systems, ADAC
Christina Cassotis, SH&E Vice President, Leader Airport Services
Anticipating crisis rather than dealing with it when it hits is paramount for an industry that is constantly at the mercy of health issues, security constraints and economic factors. Currency fluctuation is one economic factor which constantly affects both international travel and the cost of sale. This session will provide an insider financial analyst’s perspective on where the dollar and euro currencies may be heading to help understand how business could be affected.
Keith Spinks, Secretary General, ETRC
Soma Rao, CFA, Managing Director, Head of EMEA Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities, J.P. Morgan
Dermot Davitt, Executive Director, Deputy Publisher, The Moodie Report
René Carayol, CEO Inspired Leaders Network
