Luxperience CEO Rosemarie Sama with major sponsor Virgin Australia's Alexandra O'Connor

Closing the inaugural showcase yesterday, Luxperience chief executive Rosemarie Sama told attendees the showcase will return next year, with Sydney named the host-city in 2013.

Speaking to e-Travel Blackboard, Ms Sama said she was “confident” the exhibition had been a “great success” and was keen to bring the showcase back to Overseas Passenger Terminal at Sydney’s Circular Quay from 2-4 September next year.

“We definitely made out mark in the first year of the show and that is exciting,” she said.

“We have made our place in the world and a lot of the feedback we’ve been getting is people saying this is fantastic and much needed.”

Ms Sama noted that there would be “room for improvement”, with 2013 expected to see changes in the exhibition’s networking design, with the removal of exhibition stands in favour of creating a business class airport lounge-type setup for buyers and sellers to converse.

Next year there will also “be more unique venues and experiential operators”, the CEO added.