On the 12th of March 2019, WiTR organised an intimate networking and insight-sharing event at Changi Airport to celebrate International Women’s Day.
In line with International Women’s Day 2019 theme of ‘Balance for Better’, this year’s event focused on the balance between inner and outer beauty, illustrated in sharing sessions by co-sponsors beauty company Shiseido and traditional Chinese medicine specialist Eu Yan Sang, along with WiTR Steering Committee Member Chandra Mahtani (Changi Airport Group).
Hosted in Singapore at Changi Airport Recreation Club’s Altitude Lounge, the event attracted nearly 50 female executives from the travel retail industry, as well as local brands and operators.
Chandra kicked off the evening’s programme with a welcome address that detailed WiTR’s efforts to bring together female peers from different segments of travel retail – not just in terms of networking, but also in making a meaningful difference to people in need. Chandra shared the outcome of WiTR’s fundraising efforts last year for the charity organisation Hand in Hand for Haiti, as well as WiTR’s current fundraising plans for Friends International. The funds will be used for beauty salon training for young women to enable them to provide for their children and siblings.
The event continued with an insightful sharing session on Japanese beauty by Ms. Kristina Strunz, Global Brand Director Skincare Shiseido & Cle de Peau.
Mr. Ng Pu Jue, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialist Trainer, concluded the session with an informative discussion on health and wellness.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner buffet and donated generously to WiTR’s appointed charity, Friends International. An exciting lucky draw with prizes sponsored by Shiseido, Eu Yan Sang, Shilla, DFS, FNA, Pashma, WHSmith and Sprint-Cass marked the end of a wonderful evening for women in travel retail. All guests went home with door gifts generously sponsored by Shiseido, Eu Yan Sang and WHSmith.
Ms. Elisabeth Jouguelet, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation, Shiseido Travel Retail, commented: “As a beauty company, women are the core of who we are. We are proud to celebrate International Women’s Day with WiTR and Changi Airport Group and we believe that bringing women in the travel retail industry together is empowering and provides networking opportunities that will foster creativity, collaboration and partnership.”
Ms. Serene Seow, Managing Director, Eu Yan Sang Singapore, was delighted with the event’s turnout and said,
“Eu Yan Sang is privileged and honoured to celebrate International Women’s Day with WiTR and Changi Airport Group. Caring for generations of women since 1879, we believe in building women’s confidence through health and wellness – a healthier mind, body and skin. By connecting through health and wellness, we hope to provide women in the travel retail industry with a better networking platform that will foster more collaboration and partnership.”
