The presentation was made at the IAADFS (International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores) Duty Free Show of the Americas exhibition, which is taking place this week in Orlando, Florida.

“Halpern has been a pioneer, an innovator and constant contributor to the Americas travel retail industry over many decades,” said Andrew Carter, managing director, Bacardi Global Travel Retail.

“His commitment to developing the spirits business at International Shoppes and dedication to growing it into the success it is today makes him a deserving recipient of the Spirit For Life award.”

After working in several facets of International Shoppes (IS), Halpern saw an opportunity to develop the spirits side of the business and in 1977 this became a reality when they began servicing National Airlines with two flights a day. From that beginning, IS went on to win the contracts at TWA and the Port Authority's international arrivals building where spirits became a significant portion of the business.

In the last 30 years, IS has grown into a power-house in the spirits business growiong both its airport and diplomatic division, servicing that trade through the Diplomatic Duty Free Shoppes of New York. IS has the duty free facilities in terminals and airports such as terminal one, Jet Blue, and American Airlines in New York, and all the duty free facilities at Philadelphia International Airport.