WTCE 2014 will offer a unique window for exhibiting companies to meet and network with an international audience of over 1,000 visitors including more than 350 buyers and specifiers from 130 airlines and rail operators.
The third edition of World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) continues to maintain its standing as the world’s largest travel catering event by attracting new companies from around the world to showcase the latest products in travel catering and onboard services. Organised by Reed Exhibitions, WTCE 2014 will take place at the Hamburg Messe in Germany from 8-10 April 2014.
WTCE 2014 will offer a unique window for exhibiting companies to meet and network with an international audience of over 1,000 visitors including more than 350 buyers and specifiers from 130 airlines and rail operators. With WTCE’s emphasis on enhancing the overall travel experience from economy to first-class, a growing number of new companies will be presenting their products and services in airline and transport catering as well as the international travel retail market.
DFMI, formerly known as D & F Marketing, Inc., is a premiere specialty sales and marketing company in the travel and transportation industry. After many years of attending WTCE as a visitor, WTCE 2014 will mark DFMI’s debut as an exhibitor. The company supplies a wide range of food, beverages and amenity products to support satisfied customers around the world. Having previously serviced the industry for 26 years, following a short break DFMI re-entered the European and Gulf regions in July 2013.
“Priding ourselves on innovation and custom solutions, we believe that WTCE 2014 will provide a great opportunity to showcase our unique capabilities to high-calibre visitors and distinguished exhibitors in the European market,” said Graham Felton, Chief Executive Officer at DFMI. “We look forward to meeting current airline and catering partners and introducing DFMI.”
At WTCE 2014, the company will demonstrate their new European partner’s products for premium and economy class, ranging from hot entrees, sandwiches/snack boxes, artisan and pretzel breads, specialty Belgium chocolates, mineral water and award-winning service ware items.
Another company making its first appearance as an exhibitor will be Gebr. Heinemann SE & Co.KG. The Hamburg family-owned business supplies to over 1,000 customers in over 100 countries and in terms of retail trade, the business operates around 230 Heinemann duty-free and travel value shops at 60 airports in 27 countries. The company also runs boutiques on cruise liners and border shops.
“We are excited to participate at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo for the first time and to introduce our company to potential partners,” said Nadine Heubel, Sales Director In-Flight & Catering at Gebr. Heinemann. “We will be promoting our new range called ‘Buy-on-Board products,’ where we can supply snacks, soft drinks, wines and spirits in addition to well-being and bio products as well as menu and catalogue design. It is an interesting and innovative range and we are looking forward to presenting it to visitors at WTCE.”
In addition to the popular exhibition, and following the resounding success of this year’s event, the Passenger Experience Conference will again return to Hamburg on 7th April 2014, addressing crucial issues surrounding cabin innovation, consumer expectations and strategies for profitability within the cabin.
Hosted by WTCE and Aircraft Interiors Expo, this premier one-day Conference will be an ideal opportunity to debate with key industry thought leaders drawn from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), suppliers and some of the world’s leading airlines. Delegates will have access to exclusive research and value-added insights presented by expert speakers. In addition, there will be a chance to learn from the experiences and best practices relating to other industries.
Building on the successful format of the 2013 conference, the morning plenary sessions will explore the future trends impacting on the development of cabin interiors during the next few years. The agenda will consider some of the critical issues for the industry includingthe technology innovations and weight-saving ideas that will change the future flying experience and ways in which the cabin interior will evolve to meet the expectations of tomorrow’s passengers.
The afternoon will drill into the detail of evolving the cabin experience as the programme splits into three concurrent breakout sessions; in-flight entertainment and connectivity; hospitality; and service and retailing. These sessions will be timed to allow delegates to move from one session to another in order to create their own personal agenda. Issues to be addressed in the afternoon agenda will include the cutting-edge developments in ergonomics that will contribute to a better onboard experience and ways in which to create comfort through a multi-sensory approach to onboard services, equipment and delivery.
Each breakout session will conclude with an in-depth case study that brings together airlines and their key project partners to talk about the journey to innovation: addressing the challenges along the way and sharing the learning experiences from successful projects.
The Passenger Experience Conference will also be an ideal opportunity to meet with peers and network with some of the industry’s influential thought leaders. The event will close with an Industry Networking Party, which will give delegates, exhibitors and visitors a chance to network in a relaxed environment.
Archana Sharma, WTCE Event Manager, said: “We’ve seen an enthusiastic response to date from exhibitors rebooking and the 2014 event has already reached over 90 per cent sold. We’re also delighted with the current number of new companies that will exhibit as they will further enhance the international dimension of the event with their worldwide services. By again combining both the exhibition and the Passenger Experience Conference, there is no doubt that WTCE 2014 will offer visitors an unrivalled opportunity to discuss the latest industry issues as well as viewing the very latest developments in catering and onboard services on the show floor.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
