2.0 & Partners

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The Chinese Excellence Academy: Meet the team helping to unlock travel retail’s frontline potential

Marco Passoni

In the modern  dynamic travel retail landscape, cultural nuances can make all the difference. This is why we at 2.0 & Partners are proud to have introduced the Chinese Excellence Academy (CEA), a groundbreaking learning tool to help travel retail teams unlock the next level of service.

But what truly set CEA apart was the exceptional team behind it — a group of experts dedicated to delivering an authentic and insightful learning experience. Transparency and expertise are the foundations of excellence and in this blog, it is my pleasure to introduce the individuals who brought the Academy to life, leveraging their unique skills and commitment to bridging cultures in the retail space.

A Collaborative Effort of Vision and Precision

At the helm of this ambitious project was 2.0 & Partners CEO Fabio Bernardini, our Project Manager and IT Lead. Fabio ensured that every technical detail aligned with our high standards, providing a user-friendly, efficient platform that offered a smooth experience to learners worldwide.

Shaping the academic framework of the course was Erika Giannini, the Course Supervisor. Erika coordinated content creation with care, structuring each module to engage and educate retail professionals effectively, with a focus on real-world applications for the travel retail sector.

Cultural and Luxury Retail Expertise at the Core

The heart of CEA’s content was crafted with Content Developer Zhiyang Li, who brought deep-rooted expertise in luxury frontline retail, combined with an authentic understanding of Chinese culture and consumer expectations. Years of experience with luxury customers is infused each module with cultural sensitivity and practical insights, ensuring that every case study, example, and scenario resonated with real-world applications and prepared learners to connect meaningfully with Chinese travellers.

Quality Assurance for Uncompromised Standards

To ensure CEA’s content met the highest standards, 2.0 & Partners’ Roberta Coletta and Sergei Bozhok served as Content Controllers. Their meticulous review process guaranteed the accuracy, clarity, and relevance of each component, making sure learners received high-quality, impactful training that aligned with the Academy’s mission.

Supported by the Best in Learning Technology

Built on Moodle, the world’s most popular Learning Management System, the Chinese Excellence Academy offers an intuitive, interactive experience. At 2.0 & Partners, we are proud to be a registered provider with the internationally-recognised CPD Certification Service, who asses our courses to ensure the highest standards of education and training..

The Chinese Excellence Academy represented a union of skill, insight, and cultural respect, equipping travel retail professionals with the tools to connect with Chinese customers on a deeper level. It was crafted with expertise, precision, and a commitment to cultural authenticity, establishing a new standard of excellence in travel retail.

To discover more about the Chinese Excellence Academy, visit: academy.20partners.com

Marco Passoni has decades of experience in the travel retail sector. He has spent the majority of his career in senior leader positions throughout the market, including a 12-year tenure as CEO of a leading international Duty Free distribution company and a further 8 years running a retail firm that operated fashion mono-brand stores in several international airports.
Today, as Senior Executive VP and founding partner of 2.0 & Partners, he leads the company’s efforts in developing and innovating services which create new opportunities and partnerships for all members of the travel retail Trinity. A former elite-level sailor, with a World Championship to his name, Marco now spends much of his time airside, experiencing the changing travel retail industry first-hand, to better guide partners and clients on the best way to do business in this vibrant and unique market.
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