MEADFA Conference moves to 2018

Originally scheduled to take place in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, during November, the Conference will now be held at a new venue in the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the current political uncertainty. MEADFA President Haitham al Majali described the decision to postpone as a difficult one but underlined that the MEADFA Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure delegate safety at the annual gathering. “We feel the current situation obliges us, with the greatest regret, to take this step”, he added.

The 2016 MEADFA Conference drew nearly 500 participants to Dubai, and the annual event plays a pivotal role in the region’s duty free and travel retail business. Around 400 people had already registered to attend the 2017 edition in Beirut. They can now choose between having their delegate fees refunded or asking the organisers to retain the fees for the rearranged Conference in the first quarter of 2018.

Thanking sponsors, partners and friends in Lebanon for their help and support in arranging the 2017 MEADFA Conference, the MEADFA President said the Association’s thoughts were with the Lebanese population for the stability and prosperity of the region. “We have the utmost faith in the resilience of our people, of our businesses and of our industry as we face this latest challenge.”

Details of the new Conference will be published on tfwa.com as soon as they are available.