Fifth edition of WTCE biggest yet
With the world’s leading aviation professionals in attendance to celebrate its fifth anniversary, the WTCE exhibition saw a wide range of innovations showcased from over 300 exhibitors, with visitors sourcing the latest products, attending a wide range of networking events and watching educational presentations delivered by the industry’s elite.
Mark Harrison, Head of Guest Experience and Catering for Etihad Airways, said: “It’s a great opportunity to be able to see lots of different, new and innovative products in a very quick space of time.”
Highlighted in two dedicated ‘New Exhibitor Zones’, visitors were able to view first-hand many of the latest product innovations from new exhibitors. This included Yaos, a technology start-up specialising in airline catering software solutions. For the very first time, Yaos showcased its new LimeFlight, a state-of-the-art inflight catering suite based on machine learning technology, which offers unseen optimisation possibilities and the ability to automate far more complex tasks than traditional software.
Speaking at the event, Manual Diggelmann, CIO of Yaos said: “WTCE has provided us a great opportunity to meet with our future customers. Priority software demonstrations meetings which we managed to set up before we arrived have helped propel our start-up forward. The New Exhibitor Zone turned out to be the perfect location for us. We will definitely be back next year.”
Also on show within the New Exhibitor Zone, exhibitors GB Sauce offered visitors a chance to taste its range of British sauces, including its Proper Tomato and Brown Sauces which were featured as part of the ‘Great British Breakfast’ seminar on the second day in the Taste of Travel theatre. While Get Fruity showcased its fruit and oat bars which are packed with real fruit, fruit juices, gluten free oats and virgin coconut oil with no refined sugars.
Commenting on the New Exhibitor Zone at the show, Davina Whiteoak, Founder of Get Fruity, said: “It’s our first time exhibiting at WTCE and it’s been amazing for quality contacts. We have also learnt a huge amount about catering and onboard services. It’s been an invaluable experience and we will be back again next year.”
On the show floor, visitors also discovered newly launched products in the expanded ‘What’s New Onboard’ feature, where new innovations were showcased, including a new relaxation beverage from Tranquini, which contains natural ingredients that are scientifically proven to reduce stress and relive anxiety without causing any drowsiness. Also on show, individually wrapped B4® Hand sanitizer products and Authentic Germany Currywurst with bread from Tops Foods.
Speaking at the show, Oliver Reeve, Supply Chain Relationship Executive for British Airways, said: “The show has been brilliant. There are so many fantastic products and suppliers on show. I don’t have enough time to see them all.”
The fifth anniversary show also saw the return of the Travel Retail Trail, following its popularity at the 2015 event. The trail, which featured over 100 exhibitors provided plenty of inspiration to air operators looking to expand their onboard retail offering. Giada Pizzol, Export Travel Retail for Bottega Spa, said: “Our position at the show has enabled us to meet the right type of people. We’ve had some great interest in the product with many people attracted to our distinct product packaging. We’ve exhibited at WTCE for the past three years and would definitely look to exhibit again.”
The family run company located in Bibano, Italy also helped to celebrate the show’s fifth anniversary, marking the occasion by presenting WTCE Event Director, Syreeta Tranfield with an exclusive diamond encrusted bottle of prosecco.
In addition to the popular exhibitor trails, the Travel Retail Zone returned, dedicated to suppliers of onboard retail items and services. The Zone offered buyers the opportunity to meet with suppliers of sale-on-board items and discuss effective ways to boost their offering to appeal to the modern traveller.
The show also welcomed back Taste of Travel – in association with Onboard Hospitality – to promote the latest innovations in onboard services and travel catering. Leading industry speakers included Stathis Kefallonitis, Founder of branding.aero, Mathieu Castex, Executive Development Pastry Chef at LSG Sky Chefs and David Small, Product Development Manager for Rail Gourmet who provided interactive demonstrations and thought provoking presentations along with tasting and sampling opportunities.
Celebrating five years of WTCE
A free daily networking lunch was also provided where visitors and exhibitors were invited to sample products to mark the show’s 5th anniversary celebrations. Products on offer included five flavours of hot food supplied by the Bake Factory, as well as a selection of mini cakes from Gastro Culinary Innovation in fifth anniversary packaging. Visitors and exhibitors also joined the WTCE team to celebrate the fifth anniversary for networking drinks on Tuesday 5 April after the show closed.
Syreeta Tranfield, WTCE Event Manager added: “WTCE 2016 has been a resounding success and we’re very pleased with how the event has run this year. The exhibition benefits from an amazing community atmosphere, and there was a real buzz on the show floor this year. The feedback we’ve received from visitors and exhibitors alike has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s great to see how the travel industry has benefited from the show, built new relationships and secured business deals.”
Passenger Experience Conference
WTCE 2016 opened with the annual Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) on Monday 4 April, where delegates were presented with a chance to learn from industry specialists and visionaries, exchange knowledge and engage in lively debates, centred on the future trends of the passenger experience industry. As an established networking and business forum for industry professionals, the conference explored three key themes critical to the passenger experience including the innovation of cabin interiors, in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) as well as hospitality, service and retail.
During in-depth hospitality, service and retail breakout sessions, delegates discovered how to keep the onboard retail offer relevant, the evolution of industry and passenger needs, new menu trends and concepts and the opportunities and challenges of fulfilling pre-orders and special service concepts onboard. In one session, Aubrey Tiedt, Chief Customer Officer of Alitalia revealed how, thanks to a combination of new service enhancements to improve the travel experience of its passengers and an accelerated programme of cultural and operational change at every level within the airline, the company is on track to return to profitability by 2017.
Shaun Jenson, Interiors Engineer for Frontier Airlines, who attended the Passenger Experience Conference, said: “The conference featured experienced and insightful speakers all under one roof. From an airline perspective, it’s good to see how the other side works. I wouldn’t be able to meet these companies otherwise.”
The next WTCE will again take place in Hamburg, from the 4-6 April 2017.