A closer look at ACA’s Leadership Symposium agenda in Toulouse
The second annual ACA Leadership Symposium will take place in Toulouse, France
The Airline Catering Association (ACA) Leadership Symposium has confirmed the agenda for its second annual event in Toulouse, France, from February 18 to 19.
The event will bring together key stakeholders, including airline executives, catering service providers and industry experts to discuss emerging trends, share best practices and address sector challenges. Official Media Partner PAX International will provide live, on-the-ground coverage from the event.
The event is the platform for “addressing global standards and fostering networking and knowledge exchange.” According to ACA, it aims to “enhance the passenger experience while ensuring industry resilience in an ever-evolving market.”
The 2026 Symposium will kick off on February 18 at FirstName Toulouse with registration open from 3:00 p.m. local time and a Welcome Cocktail from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The first day gets underway from 9:00 a.m. on February 19, with a welcome address from Jonathan Stent-Torriani, Newrest Chairman & ACA President and Fabio Gamba, Managing Director, ACA. This will be immediately followed by the Keynote Address from Nicolas Dubois, DGAC, Direction of the Civil Aviation Safety Director.
The morning is dedicated to “Pitch Galley,” a Dragons’ Den-style session that allows providers of goods and services to pitch directly to inflight caterers, showcasing their latest innovations and solutions.
“It is a unique opportunity for suppliers to gain visibility and spark new partnerships by presenting what they bring to the table – literally and figuratively,” ACA tells PAX International.
After lunch, Airbus Senior Strategist for Cabin & Cargo, Nicolas Jourdan, will deliver a presentation on the State of the Industry, exploring growth trends in the industry’s foreseeable future.
Next, “The Airlines’ Perspective: What’ up for 2026 and beyond?” panel, moderated by PAX’s Jane Hobson, brings leading airline voices together to explore evolving passenger expectations, sustainability imperatives and the role of innovation in inflight catering.
Panelists include Rosine Allené, VP In-Flight Services & Supply Chain, Air France; Brij Mohan Sharma, Head of Commercial Airline Catering, Etihad Airways; Agnieszka Bargieł, Deputy Director Product Development & Customer Experience, LOT Polish Airlines; and Shashank Bhardwaj, DVP Inflight Services & Experience, Air India.
Following a refreshment break, CEOs from the world’s leading inflight catering companies discuss how the industry is evolving to meet rapidly changing passenger expectations. The session, entitled “A New Era of Airline Cuisine: Leadership Insights from the Top,” will be moderated by ACA’s Gamba. The panelists are Stent-Torriani; Christoph Schmitz, CEO, gategroup; Robin Padgett, Divisional SVP Catering, dnata; and Michiel van der Eijk, CEO, KLM Catering Services.
The final panel of the day, “Supply chain and Kitchens: Does Size Matter?” will see panelists share how they are navigating the ripple effects of global supply chain disruptions – from sourcing challenges to cost pressures – with limited resources and flexibility.
Joining the discussion, moderated by dnata’s Anne-Laure Perrin, are Daniel Robinson, CEO, Niche & Bespoke; Matshela Seshibe, CEO, Air Chefs; Allison Budd, CEO, Air Fayre; and Joana Morgado González Dias Vilela da Silva, CEO, Cateringpor.
The day concludes with a presentation of the new ACA President from Stent-Torriani, the new ACA President-elect, and Gamba.
Attendees are invited to join a cocktail hour later that evening, followed by dinner at the hotel.
The 2026 ACA Leadership Symposium will wrap up with a tour of the Airbus facilities in Toulouse on February 20.
PAX International is proud to be the Official Media Partner for this event. Follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest industry news and coverage.
