Industry Leaders Convene at APEX/IFSA Global EXPO
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Airline chief executives and senior leaders from across the globe are set to gather in Long Beach tomorrow (28 October) for the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO. The three-day event will address the evolving landscape of passenger experience, featuring an unprecedented lineup of aviation decision-makers.
Leading the executive roster are Benjamin Smith of Air France-KLM, Michael Rousseau of Air Canada, and Shai Weiss of Virgin Atlantic. They are joined by Oman Air’s Con Korfiatis, Fiji Airways’ Andre Viljoen, and JSX Co-founder and CEO Alex Wilcox, representing perspectives from diverse aviation markets.
The event draws additional firepower from senior leadership, including Spirit Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer Matthew Klein, Breeze Airways’ Chief Guest Officer Fiona Kiesel, and Saudia’s Chief Guest Experience Officer Rossen Dimitrov. EL AL’s Chief Customer Experience Officer Oren Cohen Butansky and SAS Executive Vice President Paul Verhagen will contribute insights from their respective regions.
Panel discussions will tackle pressing industry challenges, with Delta Air Lines’ Perry Cantarutti and Qatar Airways’ Xia Cai exploring how enhanced connectivity models drive passenger satisfaction. A separate session will debate the future of inflight entertainment, weighing the merits of seatback screens against personal devices.
Emirates’ Patrick Brannelly and Air France’s Fabien Pelous will lead discussions on emerging technologies and their impact on future cabin experiences. This forward-looking session pairs with vital conversations about accessibility improvements, bringing together experts from Airbus, Delta Flight Products, and disability advocacy groups.
The exhibition floor promises engagement with next-generation aviation technology. Attendees can explore advanced seating concepts, entertainment systems, and connectivity solutions through interactive demonstrations.
Workshop sessions will cover crucial topics from sustainable cabin design to personalized passenger services, while Turkish Airlines’ Mustafa Mucahitoglu and Riyadh Air’s Anton Vidgen will share insights on evolving customer expectations.
Running from October 28-30, the gathering examines practical challenges facing modern aviation. As the industry continues to evolve, executives will share strategies for innovation across all aspects of the passenger journey, from entertainment to ancillary revenue opportunities.
For live updates and comprehensive coverage throughout the event, visit APEX.aero. The website will feature breaking news, executive interviews, and in-depth analysis of key discussions. Subscribe to the APEX Daily Experience for direct delivery of all event news to your inbox.