APEX EXPO 2025: Charting a Brighter Path Forward for Members
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APEX has embraced member feedback to strengthen its role as both a global community and an international platform. At this year’s APEX Global EXPO in Long Beach, California, the association unveiled a roadmap designed to expand opportunities and increase value for members.
A Member-Driven Strategy
Last year, APEX engaged independent consultancy firm IMDC, led by industry veteran Walé Adepoju, to help chart this new course. With more than 25 years of aviation experience, Adepoju and his team gathered input from a wide range of stakeholders before presenting findings to APEX in June. The report provided a foundation for what APEX President Dominic Green described as “a new APEX that gives value back to [its] members.”
In a dedicated members meeting, APEX Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader highlighted a sharper focus for the future, explaining that the association will prioritize in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) along with the digital connected cabin.
Leadership in Streaming Standards
As an example, Dr. Leader pointed to work already underway in content licensing and standards development for in-flight streaming and edge caching, a topic also discussed by studios during the conference’s thought leadership sessions.
To organize this effort, APEX introduced APEX STREAM (Standardized Technical Rights Enforcement for Airline Media), which is collecting feedback from across the industry. “It will not just be around the content owners or studios,” Dr. Leader explained. “It will include a connectivity group, an airline group and a content service provider working group, so that everyone in the value chain is represented and their feelings are injected in a way that is antitrust compliant.”
“This should not be just a popularity contest. It should be a fair representation of each of the different segments of our membership.”
– Dr. Joe Leader, APEX
Ensuring Balanced Representation
APEX also announced steps to broaden representation within its governance. Following IMDC’s recommendation, the APEX Board will reopen nominations to secure participation from a connectivity provider and another for an OEM screen manufacturer. “This should not be just a popularity contest. It should be a fair representation of each of the different segments of our membership,” Dr. Leader said. The two board seats will be officially filled during the Annual General Meeting, scheduled for later this year.
Strengthening Committees and Working Groups
To deliver even greater member value, APEX will revitalize its committees and empower Working Groups with clear charters. Dr. Leader cited the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group as a model of success. President Green emphasized the importance of these groups as an ongoing channel of communication. He recalled beginning his own involvement with APEX through its Education Committee, underscoring how committees keep the member feedback loop strong year-round.
Building a Stronger Team
To support the expanded strategy, APEX added new talent. Stacy Subiry, who spent 20 years in finance and executive human resources at Delta Air Lines, joined APEX as People and Development Officer. Subiry will lead several key hires, including a Director of Knowledge Development who will oversee APEX STREAM and an APEX Aviation Conference Producer.
A Fresh Vision for APEX Global EXPO
Looking ahead, APEX plans a new era for its flagship event. APEX Global EXPO 2026 will take place at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from November 18–19 with five strategic priorities already in place.
These include an enhanced Confex model with thought leadership sessions on the show floor, the introduction of technology and interiors pavilions, and new networking opportunities.
“We will be guaranteeing that the CEOs, as part of attending, will be on the show floor, and will be participating in individual walks across the show floor. We will set that up one on one with each of them,” Dr. Leader said.
“We will be guaranteeing that the CEOs, as part of attending [EXPO] … will be participating in individual walks across the show floor.”
– Dr. Joe Leader, APEX
Drawing on Unique Strengths
President Green concluded the members meeting by highlighting the strong foundation already in place. “We did actually receive a lot of positive feedback as part of the IMDC report as well. Members felt very strongly about certain pieces of value that APEX could strengthen on and continue to deliver,” he noted.
Keeping the Momentum
Dr. Leader encouraged members to take part in shaping the future of the association. He asked attendees to nominate and run in the special board categories, to provide input on future EXPO venues, to volunteer for committees, and to keep sharing feedback. With a member-driven roadmap, a stronger team, and renewed commitment to representing all segments of the industry, APEX enters 2025 with confidence and purpose.
President Green ended that thought leadership and knowledge-sharing remain central strengths. “APEX Content Market and APEX TECH have grown in success over the last couple of years and play a role in delivering those values,” Green concluded.