WTCE unveils Ambassador program for 2024
(From left to right) Matt Crane, Co-Founder of the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF), Kelly Stevenson, former global wine and beverage manager at British Airways and current CEO of JetVine, Julianne Ponan MBE, CEO of Creative Nature and Melissa Adamski, leading travel dietitian and nutritionist
World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) has announced the appointment of an official expert Ambassador panel for this year’s exhibition. Designed to highlight the event's key themes, the four Ambassadors will focus on elevating three of WTCE’s main topics: health and wellbeing, sustainability and food and drink, the press release said.
The four ambassadors are Julianne Ponan MBE, CEO of Creative Nature and passionate allergies campaigner; leading travel dietitian and nutritionist Melissa Adamski; Kelly Stevenson, former global wine and beverage manager at British Airways and current CEO of JetVine and Matt Crane, Co-Founder of the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF). The panel will work closely with event organizers to promote awareness of WTCE’s core themes and increase visitors to Hamburg from May 28 to 30, 2024.
The Ambassadors will contribute to a series of activations leading up to the event, including a thought leadership campaign, video interviews and a social media program. They will also take the stage in the popular Taste of Travel theatre, enlightening attendees on the latest trends, innovations and best practices in their respective fields.
Meet the 2024 Ambassadors
The Ambassadors bring a wealth of knowledge to the panel when it comes to the onboard experience. Kelly Stevenson will share her wisdom on curating inflight beverage experiences. Stevenson holds a full Diploma from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, a Certified Sommelier qualification and is a member of the Cicerone beer program. She brings valuable industry knowledge regarding meaningful wine pairings for onboard snacks, recommending the best wines for altitude and coming up with non-alcoholic alternatives.
Accredited Practicing Dietitian and nutritionist, Melissa Adamski will bring expertise in travel food and diet to the event. Adamski is the founder of Nutted Out Nutrition, which supports the travel industry through food and nutrition expertise. She will use her sector knowledge to address critical aspects of health and wellbeing inflight and help operators shape their offerings for the future.
“I am delighted to be representing WTCE as an Ambassador for 2024. Health and wellbeing in the sky is a huge topic, particularly from a nutrition perspective, and I am excited to share my insights and expertise with airlines looking to improve their offering to passengers,” Adamski said.
Julianne Ponan, MBE and founder of allergen-free food brand Creative Nature, is a pioneer in the free-from-food world. Living with anaphylaxis and having multiple allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, chickpeas and more, Ponan strives to make food more accessible for people living with the same conditions. She will help airlines understand how they can elevate the passenger experience through more inclusive culinary offerings onboard.
Matt Crane, Founder of the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF), joins the WTCE 2024 Ambassador panel with extensive knowledge on the issue of cabin waste composition and sustainable solutions. Crane will provide an insightful perspective on how airlines can identify better ways to manage cabin waste and international catering waste using the circular economy.
WTCE Event Director, Polly Magraw, said: “Air and rail operators are constantly looking for new onboard solutions that cater to their passengers’ needs and requirements, particularly in the areas of food and drink, health and wellbeing and sustainability. The introduction of our high-profile Ambassador program, made up of renowned industry experts who truly support our vision for WTCE, will help unearth new trends and innovative products at the event, enabling buyers from the world’s leading airlines and rail companies to meet the requirements of passengers both today and in the future.”
WTCE will be co-located with the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in May 2024. Both shows will take place at the Hamburg Messe, providing passenger experience professionals with the opportunity to network and explore new products and services.
