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IAADFS Cover Letter (1)
Past IAADFS SOTA 2
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Past IAADFS SOTA 1

 

The IAADFS Summit of the Americas is the leading annual event for the duty free and travel retail industry across North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean.

 

Who attends:



IAADFS Who Attends 1
  • Duty free and travel retail operators of all types:
    • Airport
    • Airline inflight
    • Border
    • Caribbean
    • Cruise line
    • Diplomatic
    • Downtown
    • Free Zone

IAADFS Who Attends 2
  • Global and regional companies in categories like:
    • Alcohol
    • Tobacco
    • Fragrances, cosmetics, and beauty
    • Jewelry and watches
    • Electronics
    • Writing instruments
    • Luggage
    • Fashion
    • Gifts
    • Apparel
    • Confections and gourmet foods

IAADFS Who Attends 3
  • Firms that connect brands with local operators across the Americas
    • Distributors
    • Agents
    • Wholesalers
    • Import/export companies

IAADFS Who Attends 4 (2)
  • Airport authorities
  • Commercial developers
  • Logistics providers
  • Store design firms
  • Software and POS companies
  • Consultants

IAADFS Who Attends 5-1
  • Organizations and publications that support or report on duty free and travel retail trends

Breakdown by Category:


At the 2025 Summit, buyer attendees self-reported as representing the following types of stores and products purchased for their stores:


IAADFS Type of Store Chart

IAADFS Type of Products Purchased Chart

Exhibiting at the IAADFS Summit of the Americas is one of the most direct and efficient ways to reach the decision-makers who drive the duty free and travel retail business across the Americas and Caribbean. Key reasons for this include:

  • Access to Buyers: Retailers, operators, and distributors attend specifically to source new products and explore partnerships. Exhibitors get face time with the people who make purchasing decisions.
  • Brand Visibility: Exhibiting puts products and innovations in front of a highly targeted audience of travel retail professionals who are actively looking for new offerings.
  • Market Expansion: The Summit covers a wide geographic scope (the Americas and Caribbean), giving brands an entry point to new regional markets in one place.
  • Networking & Relationships: Beyond sales, it’s an opportunity to build long-term relationships.

Exhibit Space Rental Fee

The 2026 space rental fee is $30 per square foot and includes:

  • Rental of floor space
  • All onsite freight handling for shipments received through our official contractor, Fern 
  • Daily cleaning of the space (vacuuming of the floor space and trash removal)
  • An allotment of complimentary registrations based on the amount of space reserved
  • Complimentary wireless internet
  • Listings in the mobile app, online floorplan, and list of participating suppliers emailed to buyers in advance of the Summit
  • Access to lists of registered buyers to use in setting appointments and promoting your brands

The space rental fee does not include: an actual booth, exhibit structures, walls, displays, or furniture, electrical service, or carpet. Note that the exhibit area is carpeted, though exhibitors are welcome to add carpet or flooring on top of the facility's carpet if desired.

There will be a $750 non-member assessment charged to any non-member exhibitor, in additional to the exhibit fee. This $750 will be applied toward your yearly dues when you join IAADFS. Note that a non-member company may only exhibit for one year by paying this non-member assessment, after which they are required to join before being confirmed as an exhibitor for a future edition of the Summit 

Exhibit Space Requests and Assignments

Space for the 2026 Summit will be assigned taking into consideration past exhibit history, space availability, space needs of exhibitors, and timing of requests. Companies must submit their completed Space Application for their space requests to be considered. The deadline to submit your online contract in order to participate in our Online Space Selection process is Friday, October 31. Online Space Selection will be hosted November 17 and 18. Companies will be notified of their date and time to call in and reserve their space.

IAADFS SOTA 2026 Floor Plan

Payment of Fees

Exhibitors & Sponsors must remit 50% percent of their total fees by December 5, 2025. Contracts received after December 5, 2025, must be paid in full (100%) upon receipt of invoice. Full payment must be received on or before January 23, 2026, regardless of Applications & Contract submission date unless payment arrangements were made with the IAADFS Sales Team. IAADFS reserves the right to reassign an exhibit booth space if the Exhibitor fails to remit 100% payment by January 23, 2026. IAADFS reserves the right to hold or revoke Exhibitor badges for any Exhibitor with an unpaid balance and to instruct all official contractors to deny goods and services.

Credit card payments can be made online using American Express, MasterCard or Visa. Make all checks payable to IAADFS and remit to the following address via the U.S. Postal Service:

IAADFS
Lockbox 778630
350 East Devon Avenue
Itasca, IL 60143 USA

Exhibitors who wish to pay by ACH/wire will receive information upon receipt of invoice. 

Private Meeting Rooms

Take your business conversations to the next level with an exclusive Private Meeting Room at the 2026 Summit of the Americas. Perfect for exhibitors looking to host high-value client meetings, product previews, or strategic negotiations away from the busy show floor, these rooms offer a professional, distraction-free environment to maximize ROI. Located on Level 2 of the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, each room provides premium visibility and convenience while positioning your brand as a serious player in the duty free and travel retail industry.

With only 10 rooms available, space is limited and demand is high. Each room is priced at just $30 per square foot, offering flexibility to match your needs and budget. Options include: 

IAADFS Meeting Rooms Table

These spaces give you the privacy, comfort, and flexibility to host back-to-back meetings, impress key buyers, and close deals on your own schedule—all while keeping your brand front and center. Act now to secure your ideal space before they sell out!

 

The 2026 Summit of the Americas offers numerous ways for you to raise the profile of your company and brands before, during, and after the Summit through valuable sponsorship opportunities. Below are some of the great ways to increase your visibility with the many buyers and other industry stakeholders that participate. All sponsorships are paid opportunities; contact Sarah Appleton at sappleton@iaadfs.org to learn more.

Prime Summit Sponsor | Qty: 1 | $15,000

(Exclusive) This sponsorship provides prime exposure for your company and/or brands in conjunction with the 2026 Summit. Sponsorship includes: free Summit registration for up to six (6) of your company staff (or to use for customers if you are an exhibitor already using complimentary exhibitor registrations), top-listed sponsor with logo as prime Summit sponsor on all directional signs onsite at 2026 Summit, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Hotel Key Cards | Qty: 1 | $10,000

(Exclusive) Be the first brand attendees see when they arrive and the one they carry with them throughout their stay. Customized hotel key cards showcase your logo daily, providing repeated exposure every time participants access their rooms. sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Mobile App Sponsor | Qty: 1 | $10,000

(Exclusive) Gain valuable exposure for your company and/or brands as the exclusive sponsor of the 2026 Summit mobile app – the sole source of information onsite for attendees about the Summit, which features the schedule, list of exhibiting companies, attendee list with contact details, and other important information about the Summit. Sponsorship includes: a full-screen ad that appears whenever someone opens up the app, a banner ad permanently located on the footer of the home screen, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

WiFi Sponsor | Qty: 1 | $10,000

(Exclusive) Be seen when attendees connect to the wi-fi network onsite at the 2026 Summit – sponsor the Summit's wi-fi! Sponsorship includes: custom SSID name and password that can feature all or part of company or brand name (subject to approval for length and content), sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Lanyard Sponsor | Qty: 1 | $7,500

(Exclusive) Co-brand with IAADFS for the lanyards provided to all attendees. Ensure your brand is worn by every attendee throughout the Summit. Branded lanyards prominently display your logo alongside each participant’s badge, guaranteeing continuous visibility during all event activities. Sponsorship includes: sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Plenary Session Sponsor | Qty: 1 | $7,500

(Exclusive) Gain the attention of attendees and get great exposure before, during, and after Sunday morning's opening plenary session. Sponsorship includes: opportunity to address the audience for three minutes for marketing purposes, opportunity to provide giveaways, invitations, or literature to be placed on session room seats, sponsor acknowledgement on prominent signage at the session, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Charging Station Sponsor | Qty: 2 | $5,000

(2 available) Build goodwill with the attendees by providing them with a place to charge their devices. Placed strategically in the event space, this is a great opportunity for exposure for your company or brands. Sponsorship Includes: sponsor branding on the charging station, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists, sponsor ribbons for staff and opportunity to provide literature to be featured at the charging station.

Networking Reception Bar Sponsor | Qty: 6 (2 per evening) | $5,000

(2 available each evening, total of 6 sponsorships) This bar sponsorship for alcohol companies gives your company a dedicated bar at one of the networking receptions to feature your company’s brands and increase your exposure in conjunction with the reception. Sponsorship includes: dedicated bar at the reception to feature your company's brands, option to position a brand ambassador at the sponsored bar to answer questions and engage with attendees, Sponsor acknowledgement on prominent signage at the reception, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Networking Overall Reception Sponsor | Qty: 6 (2 per evening) | $4,000

(2 available each evening, total of 6 sponsorships) This sponsorship for non-alcohol companies provides your company with the opportunity to boost your exposure in conjunction with one of the three networking receptions at the 2026 Summit. Sponsorship includes: sponsor acknowledgement on prominent signage at the reception, option to have a dedicated welcome table at the reception where you can feature brands/products and can position a brand ambassador to answer questions and engage with attendees, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Coffee Break Sponsorship | Qty: 3 | $3,000

(3 available) Make attendees happy and associate that happiness with your company – sponsor one of the coffee breaks during the 2026 Summit! Sponsorship includes: opportunity to provide giveaways, invitations, or literature to be featured on the coffee break during your sponsorship, sponsor acknowledgement on prominent signage at the coffee break, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Sweet Treat Sponsor | Qty: 3 | $3,000

(3 available) Promote your company's confections in conjunction with one of the coffee breaks on Sunday or Monday. Sponsorship Includes: opportunity to provide giveaways, invitations, or literature to be featured with your company's confections during your snack break sponsorship, opportunity to place a brand ambassador at the break to answer questions and engage with attendees during the break, sponsor acknowledgement on prominent signage at the break, sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

Networking Lounge Sponsor | Qty: 1 | $7,500

(Exclusive) Position your brand at the center of attendee connections. The Networking Lounge offers a comfortable space for meetings and conversations, with your branding integrated throughout to reinforce your presence as a facilitator of valuable industry relationships. Include your branding by providing collateral or a giveaway in our Networking Lounge, station (1) member of your team as a brand ambassador (1 table and 2 chairs provided) and onsite signage recognition. sponsor acknowledgement with logo in the mobile app, on the Summit website, and on slides at the conference sessions, pre and post Summit buyer lists and sponsor ribbons for staff.

 

Preliminary Program

Friday, March 27, 2026

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Registration Open

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration Open

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Exhibitor Setup

8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Exhibitor Setup

8:00 am - 8:00 pm



Welcome Cocktail

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm


Sunday, March 29, 2026

Monday, March 30, 2026

Registration Open

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Registration Open

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Conference Sessions

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Conference Sessions

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Exhibits and Meeting Rooms Open

10:00 am - 6:30 pm

Exhibits and Meeting Rooms Open

9:00 am - 6:30 pm

Networking Cocktail

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Networking Cocktail

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm


Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Registration Open

8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Exhibitor Dismantling

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Exhibits and Meeting Rooms Open

9:00 am - 12:00 pm


Exhibits and Meeting Rooms Close

12:00 pm


Exhibitor Dismantling

12:00 pm - 11:59 pm


Venue and Dates

The 2026 Summit of the Americas will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek, a large resort-style convention hotel with robust event facilities and many amenities: multiple food and beverage outlets, a full-service spa and fitness center, an on-property championship golf course, four swimming pools, and many other features.  It is a short 15-minute drive from Orlando International Airport and is convenient to many Orlando-area attractions.  Our negotiated room rate at the Rosen Shingle Creek is $239 per night plus tax, a significant savings compared to the 2025 room rate.

Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando

Seasoned Summit attendees will notice that the March 28-31 dates mark a slight pattern shift from previous years. The 2026 Summit will kick off on Saturday, March 28 with a welcoming cocktail, with conference sessions on Sunday and Monday, and the exhibits open Sunday 10:00 am – 6:30 pm, Monday 9:00 am – 6:30 pm, and Tuesday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Rosen Shingle Creek Indoor
Rosen Shingle Creek Indoor 2

Exhibitor Conditions, Rules, and Regulations

If you need additional information or require assistance, email Sarah Appleton at sappleton@iaadfs.org.

International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores
2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North | Washington, DC 20006 | USA
P: 1.202.367.1184 | F: 1.202.429.5154 | E: iaadfs@iaadfs.org