Industry meets in Emerald City next week

The stage has been set at the Seattle Convention Center for the second year of a gathering of three important events for the cabin service industry.

Final plans and preparations at taking place this week for the annual International Flight Services Association Conference and Exhibition, Aircraft Interiors Expo, United States and the Annual Convention of the Airline Passenger Experience Association.

The three events will kick off September 11 with the first day of APEX, which will run through September 15. The two other events will be held September 12-14.

The IFSA exhibition hall activity will be accompanied by a number of seminars and educational sessions and speakers from the airlines and culinary world. Recently, IFSA announced that it has added a new speaker to its lineup of guests. Stephen Krempl, of Krempl Communications International, a global training expert will be among the group of speakers. Krempl will be part of the first IFSA Asia Pacific Forum held September 12.

This year, the IFSA chef’s competition will put contestants through their paces directly on the exhibition floor. During the two days, there will also be several product demonstrations.

Officials at Reed Exhibitions, the organizers of this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo recently reported that all of the event’s booth space has been sold out, and there is currently a waiting list. Among the important innovations highlighted by organizers recently were a new bar concept for 777s and A330s developed by AIM Aerospace. Other new developments that will be found at the Aircraft Interiors event will be Iacobucci HF Group’s new onboard microwave oven boasting less weight. Perron Aerospace will be showing its leather alternatives, called EnduraLyte. SABIC Innovative Plastics will be spotlighting thermoplastic resins, sheets, foam and composite solutions also geared for less weight in the aircraft. Velcro Companies will be touting hook-and-loop fasteners for aircraft interiors. Finally, Barrday Composite Solutions will be displaying its prepeg product and adhesives for the aircraft interiors sector.

“The fact that every available square meter of booth space has been allocated is clear evidence of the robust nature of the North American cabin interiors market and the standing of this event,” said Exhibition Director John Hyde.

Over the summer, APEX and the Nielsen Company surveyed and compiled the finalists in the 2011 Passenger Choice Awards. Winners from the selected field will be announced the evening of September 12 in an event hosted by CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg.

With the help of the information gathering Nielsen Company, APEX reported that participation in the annual awards have increased more than 100 percent from the previous year. In addition to the Choice Awards, two Avion Awards, named after the previous industry event will be presented for Best Achievement in Technology and Best Single Achievement in Passenger Experience. APEX has also added a category for Best Food and Beverage this year.