Now in its fourth year, the one-day conference unites thought leaders and decision makers from the entire product and service spectrum of the onboard services industry responsible for enhancing the passenger experience to discuss latest consumer insight and technology developments.
The Passenger Experience Conference, Europe’s premier conference and networking forum for travel sector professionals returns to Hamburg, Germany on 13 April 2015 to explore strategic issues around airline and rail cabin innovation, traveller experience and expectations, and strategies to maximise onboard revenue, ahead of The World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE).
Now in its fourth year, the one-day conference unites thought leaders and decision makers from the entire product and service spectrum of the onboard services industry responsible for enhancing the passenger experience to discuss latest consumer insight and technology developments.
Attendees have the opportunity to debate topical issues around the passenger experience, as well as meet and network with like-minded industry stakeholders and experts. Three breakout sessions will debate key topics, including the themes of hospitality and cabin. Morning and afternoon plenary sessions will give an overview of the industry as it currently stands and look at future trends. A new feature to this year’s conference will be three simultaneous keynote addresses, to be repeated after lunch, allowing delegates the chance to maximise their time at the conference.
Leading one of the keynote sessions, Stathis Kefallonitis, Founder & President, Branding.aero takes to the platform to talk delegates through sustainable aircraft and cabins interiors, asking how sustainability can be taken beyond individual initiatives. At the same time, David Cleaves, Creative Director at frog will look at travel retail to take a session on ‘reaching beyond basic passenger needs to create impact in “in-between” places’. David will outline two typical passenger archetypes along the travel journey and map their needs and aspirations, exploring how airlines and airports can – moment by moment – go beyond the basics to deliver something surprising and new.
One of the morning hospitality breakouts will focus on ‘a taste of things to come’, providing insights into flavours, ingredients and lifestyle trends shaping future dining experiences. Shortly after this, Ariane Van Mancius, Airline food & packaging consultant will be taking to the stage to discuss trends in packaging and food & drink service onboard. She’ll be focusing on six key trends to watch and regional approaches to packaging and delivery. Furthermore, Ariane will apply her industry experience to assess how canny airlines translate retail trends into onboard experiences.
After a networking lunch, one of the roundtable discussions will focus on ‘unbundling the future onboard ancillary revenue opportunities’, with panellists including Nikos Loukas, founder, Inflight Feed, Sue Walker, Managing Director, Emerging Business and Product Innovation, Gate Retail Onboard and Rodrigo Llaguno, Vice-President Customer Experience, Avianca. During the session, the panellists will look at what consumer trends, behaviours and experience demands are driving future revenue opportunities, as well as why onboard offers should be tailored to the passengers on frequent flyer demographics.
The conference will culminate in Virgin Atlantic’s Reuben Arnold, Brand and Customer Engagement Director leading a Plenary session on ‘leaders in innovation’. He will be discussing some of Virgin Atlantic’s recent initiatives, including trialling the use of Google Glass and transforming the meals service with low-tech tableware and advising on how to drive innovation onboard.
Archana Sharma, WTCE Event Manager commented: “Once again the Passenger Experience Conference brings the best of global thinking and foresight in the airline and rail industries under one roof. It provides an unrivalled opportunity for everyone to not only share best practice, but also examine future trends onboard and then use that insight to create the best possible experiences for customers.”
Following the close of the Conference, delegates will be invited to join the ‘who’s who’ of the industry at the Industry Networking Party, which is free to attend for all conference delegates and VIPs. The party is the perfect occasion to network with peers and other industry professionals in a sociable environment, whilst enjoying live music, cocktails and international cuisine.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
