Bernard Schlafstein is the CEO of Heinemann Middle East Africa, the regional headquarters of Gebr. Heinemann, a global leader in travel retail.

With nearly two decades at Gebr. Heinemann, he manages the retail and distribution business across the whole MEA region, including 100% entities as well as joint ventures like JR Heinemann, JAH Arabia International Duty Free and Big Five Duty Free. His responsibilities span over more than 40 countries. Previously, Bernard served as Director Sales Middle East Africa, including Turkey. Prior to that, he was responsible for the EECA region, where he played a pivotal role in establishing joint ventures and nurturing long-term distribution partnerships.

His deep regional expertise and strategic leadership continue to shape Heinemann’s growth in emerging markets. Bernard studied International Business Studies and Management at the Regent’s University London.

John Rimmer has worked in the duty free and travel retail industry since 2000, when he joined trade journal Duty-Free News International as a reporter. Within three years he had been appointed editor of sister publication Travel Retailer International, before becoming editor of DFNI a year later.

In 2006 he relocated to Paris, where he joined retailer Aelia (part of the Lagardère group) as Deputy Director of Business Development, helping the company to develop its presence at airports beyond France. Four years later he returned to the UK to become Executive Director Business Development at leading trade publisher The Moodie Report. In October 2012 John returned to Paris to join Tax Free World Association as Conference, Research and Corporate Affairs Director, tasked with strengthening the Association’s services to its members across the world.

In October 2017 John was appointed Managing Director of TFWA, responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association and its two major exhibitions, TFWA World Exhibition & Conference and TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference. John left TFWA in late 2023 to establish his own consultancy, and currently works with a number of clients in the travel retail sector.

John has moderated several industry conferences around the world, including TFWA China’s Century Conference, the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference, the World Travel Market, the MEADFA Conference and the Trinity Forum.

John holds an MA in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge.

With nearly two decades of experience in the tourism industry, Marina Giuliano has dedicated over ten years to refining the intersection of retail and travel. She now leads Retail, Brands, and Media at Amadeus, where she leverages travel analytics to enhance global retail strategies and foster sustainable growth within global brands.

As an advocate for introducing innovative data-driven approaches in retail and travel retail to drive strategic decisions, her work includes helping companies anticipate market trends and transform how international travelers are targeted by integrating real-time travel data and insights. Marina’s tenure includes collaborations with top-tier consultancies and industry giants like L’Oréal and LVMH.

Educationally enriched with a specialization in “Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies” from the University of Cambridge, Marina is passionate about pioneering positive change in the tourism and retail landscapes. Her motivation lies in reinventing decision-making processes within global brands and collaborating with industry leaders to set new benchmarks in travel retail.

Chichi Maponya is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairperson of Africa Travel Retail, a dynamic company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company specializes in travel retail, including distribution and retail operations, airport customer experience advisory, “sense of place” advisory and implementation, and non-aeronautical commercial services.

Her extensive experience and accomplishments as a business leader earned her the prestigious South African Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2008.

She currently serves as the Board Chairperson of the Maponya Group, a diversified family-owned enterprise founded in 1952 by her late parents, Dr. Richard and Marina Maponya. In addition to this role, she is a Trustee of the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation, established by the former President of South Africa. She also sits on the Board of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) and is a Trustee of the Dr. Richard Maponya Institute for Skills and Entrepreneurship. Furthermore, she serves on the boards of Boxer, one of South Africa’s largest discount grocery retailers, and Africa Realty Trust (ART), a citrus export company.

Chichi’s leadership also extends internationally through her active participation in the Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA). She serves on MEADFA’s Advocacy Committee and as Vice President of the association, further strengthening her global influence.5

She is a member of the ACI Africa Economics Committee and ACI Africa World Business Partners, and contributes to the Airports Council International (ACI) World Economics Standing Committee, where she serves on the Non-Aeronautical Revenues and Activities (ANARA) subcommittee.

Chichi previously served as Deputy Chairperson of the South African Council on International Relations (SACOIR), which advises the Minister of International Relations. She is also a former Chairperson of Brand South Africa, the agency responsible for promoting the country as an international investment destination. Additionally, she has served as a board member of South African Tourism and 4 Africa Exchange (4AX), an alternative stock exchange.

Luis Marin is the President and CEO of Europe, Middle East and Africa for Avolta AG, the global travel experience company.

Responsible for overseeing all facets of the organization, Luis has also held other senior executive roles with Avolta AG as Global Chief Corporate Officer and Business Control Director where he also oversaw its Mergers and Acquisitions and Strategy areas. Luis served also as Head of Finance and Administration for Areas. Previous experience was acquired in Derbi Motorcycles and Coopers & Lybrand.

A graduate of the University of Barcelona, Luis earned his degree in economics sciences and business administration.

With a natural curiosity and passion for compelling content, Michele is Conference Director responsible for developing and producing cutting-edge content for TFWA.

Previously, Michele spent several years with the think tanks East West Institute and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in charge of organizing high-level diplomatic events around the world. From Washington DC to Moscow, Brussels to Beijing, Michele completed impossible missions of getting heads of foreign ministries and multinational corporations talking about how to make the world a safer place. She has contributed to the New York Times and also worked as a foreign affairs columnist for the International Tribune, an Asian-American newspaper published in the United States.

Michele is a proud New Yorker who is passionate about rock climbing, running marathons, and traveling (to do both). She is aiming to visit every country in the world and is halfway there.

Abdeslam Agzoul is the CEO of the Middle East and Africa for Avolta AG.  Abdeslam is also the President of the Middle East Africa Duty Free Association. With more than 20 years of experience in travel, food, beverage, and retail, he began his career in Grupo Areas before joining Dufry in 2006 where he served as Head of Controlling and Deputy COO for Africa and Deputy CFO EMEA.  Previously, Abdeslam held executive positions with Servair and Gategroup.

Abdeslam has a bachelor’s degree in finance and a postgraduate degree in international commerce.  He also earned a PMD from IESE Business School.