- PCIAW® has exclusive access for professional clothing supply chain at global airline exhibition.
- Global EXPO features APEX, IFSA, FTE and PCIAW® for the first time on 28-30 October 2024.
- More than 3000 global aviation leaders attend with representatives from 83 airline companies.
- Brand new opportunity for fabrics, uniform, workwear, PPE and technology suppliers.
MILTON KEYES, UK (3 April 2024) – The Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) and APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association are proud to announce its exclusive partnership for professional clothing representation at the APEX / IFSA Global EXPO with Future Travel Experience (FTE) Global, the largest combined exhibition in the Americas for the international airline industry.
On 28-30th October 2024, PCIAW® will host the first ever professional clothing pavilion at the APEX / IFSA / FTE Global EXPO, located at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California, US.
Attracting more than 3000 aviation leaders to source end-to-end customer experience solutions, APEX / IFSA Global EXPO offers a brand-new opportunity for the professional clothing supply chain to educate on innovations that improve the protection, comfort and sustainability of above-wing and below-wing uniforms and PPE.
Nearly 100 airline companies attended APEX / IFSA / FTE Global in 2023, and for this year’s Global EXPO exhibition, the event has been extended to a full three of thought leadership panels and exhibitions featuring opening on October 28 with keynote addresses by airline CEOs, top level aviation and adjacent industry speakers throughout, on-going networking opportunities, and culminating in a star-studded awards ceremony on the evening of October 30.
PCIAW®’s partnership with APEX will give greater prominence to the professional clothing industry and create new opportunities for networking and education.
The PCIAW® delegation will be looking to represent performance fabrics; uniform, workwear and PPE designers; sizing technologies, sustainable textile innovations and more. The airlines are demanding greater functionality, distinctive branding, longer-lasting textile solutions and circular uniform programs and the APEX / IFSA / FTE Global EXPO is set to become the go-to exhibition for sourcing professional clothing innovations tailored to the airline industry.
Nisha Muire, Uniform Program Manager, Air Canada said: “Uniforms are an essential part of the airline industry, for brand recognition, and also for security. Showcasing professional clothing at the APEX / IFSA Global EXPO takes the exhibition to the next level, giving us greater line of sight to the innovations taking place in professional textiles and addressing the challenges we face. It also provides an important one-stop-shop for sourcing within the airline industry. I’ve learned a lot from being involved in the Uniform Buyers’ Network with PCIAW®.”
Yvette Ashby, CEO, PCIAW® commented: “This project has been years in the making. In 2018, I personally flew to Canada to consult with several of the major airlines following some specific challenges that they were facing in their uniform programs. Since then, PCIAW® has been working to offer education and advise to all our airline buyer members and uniform suppliers on best practice and innovation. Now, thanks to this exclusive partnership between PCIAW® and APEX / IFSA Global EXPO, we can work together to support the global airline industry to achieve a more sustainable, comfortable, and protective professional clothing program.”
Dr. Joe Leader, APEX / IFSA / FTE Group CEO, expressed: “The advent of our exclusive partnership with PCIAW® heralds the end-to-end passenger-focused shift in the aviation industry. This collaboration not only fuses expertise in professional attire; it embodies our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence across all facets of airline passenger experience. APEX, in concert with PCIAW®, sets the stage for a transformative journey at our Global EXPO with APEX, IFSA, and FTE. The powerful combination elevates the future of aviation uniformity as it not only becomes envisioned but also materializes, showcasing cutting-edge solutions that elevate protection, comfort, and sustainability for crew attire around the globe. As we convene at the industry’s paramount aviation marketplace, we stand at the precipice of a new era. Together, we pioneer a pathway to a more sustainable, efficient, and extraordinary airline industry, redefining the standards of passenger experience through unparalleled collaboration and innovation.”
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About PCIAW®
As the first sector-specific trade body encompassing all aspects of the professional clothing supply chain, the PCIAW® is devoted to helping shape the future of the industry for the benefit of its members. The PCIAW® brings together the insight, influence and tenacity of experts and individuals to strengthen the position of the professional clothing industry whilst understanding that the industry buyers rest at the heart of the association. With a growing network of global professionals, the PCIAW® facilitates collaboration and encourages peer-to-peer support with events that offer business connections to help our members extend their reach. We are the voice of our rapidly growing industry.
Learn more at www.pciaw.org and join our community on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
About the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)
As a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, APEX advances passenger experience with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier over the past five decades. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience. APEX reinvests all its resources to serving its members, strengthening the worldwide airline industry, advancing thought-leadership, fostering business opportunities via events, developing global initiatives, setting key airline standards, and highlighting well-deserved recognition across our industry.
About the International Flight Services Association (IFSA)
The International Flight Services Association (IFSA) is a global professional association serving the needs and interests of airline and railway personnel, caterers and suppliers who provide onboard services on regularly scheduled travel routes. Under the umbrella of APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) serving every major airline in the world, IFSA is dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of the multi- billion dollar inflight and railway onboard service industry.
About the Future Travel Experience (FTE)
Established in 2006, FTE serves as a headline division of APEX with independent online media, events, creative, and industry change leader dedicated to working with airports, airlines and industry stakeholders to enhance the end-to-end passenger experience and business performance. It has become a renowned hub through its in-person and digital events, media, accelerator, working groups, and industry change initiatives where the world’s most progressive airlines, airports, vendors, government agencies, cruise and rail operators, destination partners, and various other travel industry stakeholders share their latest passenger experience and business performance plans and visions, to collectively define the future of this sector. FTE hosts five annual events around the world – FTE Global, FTE APEX Asia EXPO, FTE EMEA, FTE Ancillary, Europe FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit. FTE supports the innovation efforts of the most progressive stakeholders in the air transport and travel space.