The ACI Europe NonAeroVision Conference to be held at the Clarion hotel in Helsinki on October 23 is going to be an important and meaningful conference for all those who attend and for this industry as a whole. Martijn Steur and Philipp Ahrens fill in all the gaps for your reference in this interview.
Peter Marshall (PM): Welcome back to TRUnblocked.com Martijn, Philipp. There have been a lot of developments since we last spoke about the forthcoming ACI Europe NonAeroVision conference which is taking place on October 23rd in Helsinki at the Clarion Airport Hotel. Tell us more.
Martijn Steur (MS): Yes, and what a location we have! The conference will be held at the brand new Clarion Airport Hotel, which is also the largest hotel in Finland. This modern venue perfectly complements the forward-thinking nature of NonAeroVision 2024, giving us the space and atmosphere to dive into the future of airport commerce.
PM: So can you now provide more detail on how the conference will unfold during the day, who the speakers are, and the specific panel sessions that will be held? From what I have seen, the programme looks encouragingly good.
Philipp Ahrens (PA): The day’s agenda is packed with insights from a stellar line-up of senior executives across the airport and travel retail sectors. Here’s how the day will unfold:
Kick-off: Kimmo Mäki, ACI EUROPE Board Member and CEO of Finavia Corporation, will deliver the welcome address, followed by an insightful State of the Industry Address from Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE.
Keynote: Ibrahim Ibrahim, Managing Director of Portland Design and author of Future-Ready Retail, will present the keynote session, discussing the future of retail and the evolving consumer landscape, which is a must-see for all who want to stay ahead in this rapidly changing sector.
PM: I know Ibrahim well and I know that this will make a fascinating session. What follows?
PA: Consumer Trends & Profile: This session will explore emerging consumer trends and how Gen Z and other profiles are reshaping the airport experience. Contributions from M1ndset and Noora Westerberg, Commercial Manager at Finavia Corporation, who will provide data-driven insights.
F&B Concepts Evolution: Here we’ll dive into the dynamic world of food and beverage offerings with Walter Seib, CEO of Northern, Eastern & Central Europe at Avolta, and Luigi Batuello, Director of Non-Aviation Business Development at SEA Milan Airports. This panel will explore how hybrid F&B models are leading to new consumer experiences.
New Revenue Sources & Changing Spending Patterns follows This forward-looking session will discuss how airports can adapt to new revenue models. Leaders like Ana Alonso, Commercial and Real Estate Directorate at Aena, and Jérôme Lepage from JCDecaux will share their experiences on how airports are rethinking commercial models and identifying new growth opportunities.
Each of these sessions is designed not only to inform but to inspire action. The calibre of speakers guarantees that attendees will walk away with tangible strategies for their businesses.
PM: I think that is a critical point. It’s almost like a who’s who in terms of those that you have involved. But, as you know, many industry conferences are bland, repetitive, and little new thinking actually emerges. What is going to make this one any different? Martijn?
MS: What sets NonAeroVision 2024 apart is our focus on creating an interactive and transparent platform where real-life learnings are shared. We don’t shy away from the challenges – we will discuss the good, the bad, and even the ugly. This level of honesty ensures that every contribution is focused on providing valuable, actionable insights for the audience. Our moderators will actively encourage participation, fostering a collaborative atmosphere where attendees can dive deep into meaningful discussions with both the panelists and each other.
PM: It’s a very full agenda. Will there be time for active audience participation?
MS: Absolutely. While the sessions themselves are designed to be engaging and interactive, we’ve also ensured that there’s ample time for networking. This is a unique chance for attendees to connect with their peers and the industry’s top leaders in person. The intimate setting at the Clarion Airport Hotel will foster the kind of spontaneous, valuable conversations that often lead to breakthroughs and partnerships.
PM: So what do you want those attending – I understand the numbers are growing steadily – to take away with them? Philipp?
PA: Yes, we are nearing a full house, which is incredibly encouraging. The takeaway for attendees should be clear: regardless of the differences in airports, the common goal is to improve the commercial business and the overall passenger experience. We want everyone to walk away with new ideas that they can implement in their own airports — ideas that will help enhance non-aeronautical revenue streams and deliver an even better consumer experience. We want each attendee to ask themselves, How can I apply what I’ve learned to my specific context? That’s the key to making this conference a true success.
PM: Will the event this year be the precursor to the return of an annual event – one that will be two days – to be scheduled from next year?
PA: That’s certainly the hope! Although we’re still early in the planning stages for next year, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and there’s already significant interest in expanding this into an annual, two-day event. The appetite for continued collaboration and idea exchange is clear, and we’re committed to making that a reality.
PM: So, one final question: if there are three reasons why busy, senior industry executives should attend, what would they be?
MS: Taking a full day out of your busy schedule is always a challenge, but here’s why it’s worth it:
Unparalleled Insights: The quality of content we’ve lined up is unmatched. You’ll gain first-hand knowledge from industry leaders who are actively shaping the future of airport commerce.
High-Quality Networking: The people in the room are decision-makers — the kind of professionals you want to be connected with. You’ll be forming relationships that can lead to future partnerships and collaborations.
Actionable Takeaways: This isn’t just a conference where ideas are floated without follow-up. You’ll leave with tangible, practical insights that you can immediately apply to your own business and strategies. The ROI on your time will be high!
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