The travel retail industry has no doubt faced its most challenging ever period over this past year, however, stakeholders across the travel retail world have taken swift action to pivot the way they operate. Likewise, we at DFNI have adapted the Americas Awards for travel retail excellence to focus on the positives to emerge from the past year.

In fact, there has never been a greater need for the celebration of positivity, perseverance, partnerships and community. We believe now is the time to enter the DFNI Americas Awards with companies standing to gain several benefits.

Recognition
First and foremost, winning an award sends a positive message to your employees. Just entering shows your belief in your team’s efforts and gives them a confidence boost.

This year DFNI is honouring the exceptional achievements by retailers operating across various travel retail channels against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020. You can enter any achievement, big or small – from sustainability initiatives and doing good for the community to winning new business or transforming your offer/stores despite the ongoing turbulence. Entering and winning an award can give your company validation and recognition for the work you are producing. Prove that your company is at the top of your game.

“We received a major boost and it reminds us to continue to always aim to be Jackie McDonagh the best we can be,” says Aer Rianta International North America General Manager, Jackie McDonagh of the company’s win as Americas Travel Retailer of the Year 2020.

“Since duty-free stores are closed, we have been promoting the win with our colleagues, suppliers, and airport partners through regular virtual meetings; it’s great to talk with colleagues across the globe and share learnings and best practice,” she adds.

Increased credibility
Importantly, being nominated and winning an award gives your company publicity and credibility for being excellent – within and outside of the industry. Prospective partners will look at companies doing well and will consider awards when awarding new tenders, contracts and product listings. Winning an Americas Travel Retailer of the Year award or Hero Product accolade can help you win new business and is a great tool for benchmarking to see how your company is performing against your competitors. What’s more, DFNI will provide winners with awards logos, trophies and follow-up interviews across our network to showcase their achievements.

Peter Zehnder Peter Zehnder, Head of the Global Duty Free Division at Lindt & Sprüngli, winner of the Americas Best New Product Confectionery and of Duty Free Experience of the Year in 2020, certainly thinks so: “We are honoured and delighted to have won two awards. As soon as airports re-open, we plan to use the award logo with our point-of-sale communication, as well as displaying it on our brand-new, soon to be re-launched Lindt travel retail B2B website as an excellent selling point for our brand.”

Building partnerships
Awards are also a great way to build and celebrate partnerships. Putting forward your latest activation or trinity partnership for a Duty Free Experience of the Year or Best New Shop Opening accolade is a reminder of why you and your partners work together and what you can achieve. It is also a powerful message having your collaboration recognised by the industry.

Last year, 3Sixty Duty Free & More won The Inflight Retailer Of The Year and the Best New Store Opening In The Americas with Dallas Fort Worth and Estee Lauder Companies. Alexander Anson-Esparza, Chief Operations Officer comments: “Amid the global impact the Covid-19 crisis is having across travel retail, these awards have been a great opportunity to re-emphasise and celebrate the great work of our team members together with our partners, in making a difference for passengers and customers.”

Esteemed judges
Another reason to enter is get your brand and products in front of our influential judges. The DFNI Americas Awards will be judged by a panel of some the most experienced and respected individuals in the industry, and forming the panel for 2021 are:

• Alexander Anson-Esparza, COO, 3Sixty Duty Free & More
• Lisa Bauer, President & CEO, Starboard Cruise Services
• Geoff Biggs, Regional Director, Bacardi Global Travel Retail Americas
• Nicholas Dobry, CEO, Duty Free Dynamics
• Felipe Cogorno, owner, Grupo Cogorno/Shopping China
• Felipe Grant Lopes, General Manager for Travel Retail Americas, Puig
• Jim Pearce, General Manager, Peace Bridge Duty Free

Attracting talent
Finally, picking up an award means you can also attract the interest of new talent. If people are at the heart of your business, there is no better advertisement than to work at an award-winning company.

Enter now
Entries are now open. The full list of awards follows, and you can find out more about our new categories including their criteria here. The 2021 DFNI Americas Awards will close on Friday 26 February.