Countdown to APEX EXPO 2016: Tips and Insights From CEO Joe Leader
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APEX Insight: As this year’s APEX EXPO fast approaches, APEX Media asks airline passenger experience industry stakeholders to share their anticipated event highlights, their favored industry trends and their Singapore tips.
As CEO of the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), Joe Leader collaborates with members and working groups to improve universal standards, key industry research and regulatory advocacy. A leading executive for more than twenty years in the industry, Leader draws on his expertise to advance the interests of the world’s leading airlines, suppliers and related companies, and of their customers.
Why is APEX EXPO a must-attend event?
APEX EXPO covers every facet of the airline passenger experience, unlike any other event. On its own, it is a must-attend event. With our partners AIX Asia Expo and FTE Asia Expo, we give our members access to three incredible shows built into one incredible event. With this approach, APEX EXPO covers content, connectivity, technology, aircraft interiors, design, lighting and every facet of the on-the-ground passenger experience. By combining the three shows into one incredible event, we have a larger number of airlines and vendors participating than ever before.
What top aviation industry trends have you been following?
Silos in the airline passenger experience industry are breaking down and airline teams are working closely together to bring a more consistent customer engagement model. This stretches across customer acquisition, airline booking, check-in, airport, lounges, onboard content, connectivity, entertainment, flight services, food services, loyalty and on-the-ground services. For APEX, this means that we have to carefully deepen our core roots as we expand our branches across more areas of the airline passenger experience.
What do you look forward to most at EXPO?
I look forward to connecting with our members, listening, learning and to some of the big moments that we have planned for our APEX EXPO attendees. We have one of our most incredible education lineups in history and the CEO of Singapore Airlines is joining us at the awards for an APEX first.
“We have to carefully deepen our core roots as we expand our branches across more areas of the airline passenger experience.”
What has been your most memorable EXPO moment?
Since I only have one APEX EXPO under my belt, I am going to say that it was last year when my seven-year-old appeared wearing a name badge that listed “Princess to the CEO” as her title. It was a memorable moment and a magical start to the week because it reminded me why we were all there. We are an association centered around passenger experience; we each take steps to create heartfelt magic in the airline industry.
Your Singapore tip?
Before or after the show, take the time to swim at the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool and drink a Singapore Sling poolside. Also, if you need a quick escape from the cityscape, the Gardens by the Bay is a very short distance from the Marina Bay Sands. It is a modern wonder of majestic waterfront greenery on reclaimed land.