DFNI Asia Pacific Awards to hail success in time of crisis

Back DFNI Asia Pacific Awards to hail success in time of crisis

The DFNI Asia Pacific Awards have been reinvented for 2021 as part of a special edition of the DFNI travel retail awards programme, focusing on the positives to emerge from the past tumultuous year.

Taking place as a virtual award ceremony in June 2021, the awards feature special categories to reflect the achievements the industry has accomplished during these most difficult times.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the travel retail world with international borders closing, retailers shutting their doors and businesses scaling down. But many in the industry have taken swift action to pivot the way they operate.

Airports, retailers and suppliers are thinking outside of the box and as such we are pleased to announce special categories for 2021 to recognise and celebrate how travel retail stakeholders have transformed through the crisis and their initiatives to support the community and do good. Perhaps your business has stepped up its commitments to sustainability, provided the community with PPE or medical supplies or maybe you have adapted in a way that prevented job losses or even win new business. We feel these initiatives should be applauded in light of the special circumstances.

First to recover
Moreover, Asia has been touted as the first location set to recover as travel sanctions and lockdown restrictions ease up at a faster pace than the rest of the world – allowing for more opportunities for travel retailers and brands to re-energise their businesses.  

In fact, Hainan, China is one bright spot and currently a huge centre of activity for the travel retail industry with numerous exciting retailer and brand developments taking place in spite of the crisis, as covered extensively in the latest edition of DFNI.

High-profile judges
As is tradition, judges for the DFNI Awards are handpicked from the most experienced and knowledgeable names in the industry and this year’s panel does not disappoint. Several high profile executives from stakeholders in Asia Pacific travel retail have joined the panel including:

  • Krisshop CEO Chris Pok Foreo Global Travel Retail Director
  • Gary Leong
  • Dr.Ci:Labo (Johnson & Johnson) Head of Marketing, Media & Digital for Travel Retail
  • Sandrine Tesniere Beam Suntory General Manager of Travel Retail Phil Restall

More judges will be announced shortly.

Enter now
The DFNI Asia Pacific Awards are now open for entry. Please find more information on categories and criteria here. Entries will close on Friday 30 April.