LIVE: Day one unfolds in Singapore
Last updated: Wednesday November 8, 9:16 p.m. (SGT). Find updates below.
From left to right: Stuart Forster, Editor, Onboard Hospitality Magazine; Daniel Coleman, Founder & CEO, Future Travel Experience; Anneke Adema, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Singapore and Brunei; Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group; and Lauren Costello, Executive Director, APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) and IFSA (International Flight Services Association). Photo credit: Grant Pritchard
FTE APEX Asia Expo has officially opened at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center in Singapore. After a day of Member Only Meetings, a special tour of Changi Airport Terminal 2 and a Networking Ice Breaker for Premium Pass holders, the full conference agenda is in motion.
9:00 a.m.: Ribbon cutting ceremony and welcome address
This morning took off with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a welcome address from event organizers, including Daniel Coleman, Founder & CEO of Future Travel Experience, and Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group.
The warm welcome highlighted the upcoming panels, presentations and networking opportunities in the days ahead. The Expo hall is also officially open (see coverage below).
The Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center
9:30 a.m.: Opening keynote panel
The welcome address was followed by the opening keynote panel "Leadership perspectives on the biggest opportunities and challenges for the aviation industry across Asia and beyond."
This panel is part of the Premium Conference agenda, moderated by Monica Miller of BBC News with insight from speakers: Changi's Goh; Sumesh Patel of SITA; and, Manish Raniga of 777 Partners.
Time to relax with West Entertainment
West Entertainment Relaxation Area at FTE APEX Asia Expo 2023
West Entertainment is hosting a chilling out area at the Asia Expo.
"Conferences can be exhilarating yet exhausting, with the relentless hustle, jet lag and the thrill of being in vibrant Singapore. We understand the challenges you face, which is why we proudly sponsor the FTE APEX Asia Expo Relaxation Area," said the company.
"Come and rejuvenate with our expert relaxation specialists who will melt away your stress, so you can conquer your meetings and shine at your best. Your well-being is our priority. Visit us today and experience the difference while we discuss how West can take your inflight entertainment to new heights!"
Attendees are invited to e-mail West Entertainment to arrange a visit to the Relaxation Area—or just drop by to say hello.
"Leadership perspectives on the biggest opportunities and challenges for the aviation industry across Asia and beyond" panel on Wednesday November 8. From left to right: Moderated by Monica Miller, Asia Business Reporter, BBC News, with panelists Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group; Manish Raniga, CEO of Airline Investments, 777 Partners; and Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific, SITA
Then Ranigo took to the Expo stage for his Opening Keynote address. Next, Ursula Silling, Branchspace, moderated the “New ideas and opportunities to enhance e-commerce, ancillary revenue and retail in air transport” discussion with speakers including Nicol Seifertova, Prague Airport; Paul Carroll, AirAsia; Nick Redpath, Airport Dimensions; and, Mitch Fordham, eSIM Go.
11:30 a.m. - Airline Innovation Summit
In the late morning today the Premium Conference agenda covered the Airline Innovation Summit. Sponsored by Viasat, speakers for "How airlines and their partners are making pioneering use of technology to enhance CX, efficiency and sustainability," included FTE's Ryan Ghee; Emre Yavuz of Turkish Technology; Akemi Kimura, ZIPAIR; and, Kevin Kleist, Southwest Airlines.
12:10 p.m. - Expo Stage
In the afternoon, several speakers took to the Expo stage on the topic of “Finding the right balance between automation and human service to enhance the passenger experience.” The lineup included Kim Chua, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Jesse Jalleh, Star Alliance; Peter Ververis of Melbourne Airport; Maneesh Jaikrishna, Vision-Box; Bill Carleton, NEC Corporation of America; and, Priyanga Wijewardana, SriLankan Airlines.
End of day one and FTE APAC Pioneer Awards Ceremony
The day closed with additional presentations and panels, including Tech & Innovation Briefings, fireside chats with BBC's Miller and the Airport Innovation Summit to name a few.
Duncan de Boer, Foodcase International, speaks during "The future of inflight service and f&b at 35,000 feet" forum on the Expo stage open to all.
At 5:45 p.m. the FTE APAC Pioneer Awards Ceremony, sponsored by AERQ, took over the Expo stage. Open to all attendees of the Asia Expo, the Airline and Airport Pioneer Awards shine a light on the 20 leading airlines and airports from across the region that were nominated for pushing the boundaries of innovation, enhancing the customer experience, and playing a vital role in advancing the air transport industry. At the awards ceremony, 10 of the nominees were presented with an ‘Outstanding Achievement’ trophy and a further four took home ‘Highly Commended’ certificates.
Event organizers called the presentation the "perfect opportunity to honour the region’s innovators amongst industry friends and colleagues."
Group shot of winners at the FTE APAC Pioneer Awards Ceremony on November 8 in Singapore
Winners for FTE APAC Airline Pioneer Awards 'Outstanding Achievement' include:
- AirAsia
- Singapore Airlines
- Air New Zealand
- Cathay Pacific
- All Nippon Airways
Winners for FTE APAC Airport Pioneer Awards 'Outstanding Achievement' include:
- GMR Group
- Incheon International Airport Corporation
- Airport Authority Hong Kong
- Narita International Airport Corporation
- Changi Airport Group
Winners of FTE APAC Airline Pioneer Awards ‘Highly Commended’ include:
- IndiGo
- Japan Airlines
Winners of FTE APAC Airport Pioneer Awards 'Highly Commended' include:
- Airports of Thailand
- Malaysia Airports
Reception party. Photo credits: Future Travel Experience
The party continued into the night for Expo Premium Pass holders at the Lotus Foyer in the Convention Center. Sponsored by Intelsat, the socializing and networking event celebrated the achievements of the nominees and winners.
A look at the Expo floor on day one
Photo credit: Grant Pritchard
Bayart Innovations' booth
Eezeetags
IDEMIA
Global-C
Creating meaningful moments at the FORMIA booth
Looking ahead
Day two starts tomorrow, November 9, at 9:00 a.m. with a packed schedule of speakers, briefings and pitch sessions. Keep your eye on this space to make sure you do not miss any updates out of the FTE APEX Asia Expo.
As media partners, PAX Tech and PAX International are covering the latest updates out of the FTE APEX Asia Expo, so keep watching this space throughout the week. Sign up for our e-newsletter here, and follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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