ACA opens second annual Leadership Symposium with Toulouse welcome
ACA opens second annual Leadership Symposium with Toulouse welcome at Ma Biche sur Le Toit
The Airline Catering Association (ACA) has officially opened its second annual Leadership Symposium—this year set against the terracotta skyline of Toulouse.
The tone was set tonight at Ma Biche sur Le Toit, where delegates gathered for cocktails, canapés and the kind of candid reunions that only happen when the industry’s decision-makers are in the same room. From airline executives to global catering leaders and supply chain innovators, the conversations were already signaling a dynamic week ahead.
Images from the opening reception can be found below.
This week’s agenda
The Symposium convenes key stakeholders from across the airline catering value chain to tackle the issues shaping 2026 and beyond—from innovation and sustainability to supply chain resilience and passenger expectations.
Tomorrow begins with a welcome from Jonathan Stent-Torriani, Chairman of Newrest and President of the ACA, alongside Fabio Gamba, Managing Director of the ACA. The opening keynote will follow from Nicolas Dubois of France’s civil aviation authority, the Direction générale de l’aviation civile (DGAC), offering regulatory insight into the evolving aviation landscape.
The morning spotlight turns to “Pitch Galley,” a fast-paced, Dragons’ Den-style showcase where suppliers present their latest products and solutions directly to inflight caterers.
“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,” the ACA tells PAX International.
After lunch, Nicolas Jourdan, Senior Strategist for Cabin & Cargo at Airbus, will present a State of the Industry briefing, unpacking growth forecasts and the broader trajectory of aviation.
PAX’s Jane Hobson will then moderate “The Airlines’ Perspective: What’s up for 2026 and beyond?”—a forward-looking discussion bringing airline leaders together to examine shifting passenger expectations, sustainability priorities and the expanding role of innovation in onboard F&B.
Later, catering company CEOs will take the stage for “A New Era of Airline Cuisine: Leadership Insights from the Top,” moderated by Gamba, exploring how businesses are adapting to heightened expectations around quality, personalization and operational efficiency.
The day concludes with “Supply Chain and Kitchens: Does Size Matter?”—a candid look at how operators are navigating sourcing volatility, cost pressures and global disruptions with limited flexibility. The session will examine whether scale is an advantage—or a liability—in today’s environment.
The day will close with the presentation of the new ACA President, marking a key leadership transition for the association.
Delegates reconvene tomorrow evening for a cocktail hour in the hotel lobby followed by dinner at Brasserie Les Beaux Arts, before the 2026 Leadership Symposium wraps on February 20 with an exclusive tour of Airbus facilities in Toulouse.
PAX International is proud to serve as the Official Media Partner of the Symposium. Follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn for live updates, behind-the-scenes moments and in-depth coverage from Toulouse.
Opening cocktail images
