FTE 2012 Gala Evening & Awards Ceremony Location Announced
This year’s gala reception will be held at Science World, a landmark geodesic dome originally built for Vancouver’s World’s Fair, Expo 86. This iconic building now houses a museum that offers access to cutting edge, science-themed galleries, films, and educational programs. Science World sits on the banks of Vancouver’s scenic False Creek.
The reception will feature entertainment, West Coast inspired cuisine, cocktails, and the opportunity to experience a selection of Science World’s hands-on galleries. The event will also be the location for Future Travel Experience’s annual awards presentation. We hope you will join us!
Full Social Programme to be announced shortly
Other aspects of the social programme for FTE 2012 are currently being finalised, but we can confirm that in addition to the memorable Gala Evening to be hosted by Vancouver Airport Authority at Science World there will once more be a Welcome Reception on the Exhibition Floor at the Westin Bayshore, and a YVR Airport Tour. For those of you who were unable to make it to last year’s show please find below the agenda we had for last year’s social programme so you get a flavour of what to expect this September.
Take advantage of the vital networking opportunities provided at Future Travel Experience.
Wednesday September 7th
Vancouver City Tour
Vancouver Airport Authority will facilitate a city tour where you will find yourself surrounded by water, mountains and metropolitan charm! An isthmus nestled in the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver boasts an abundance of natural scenery and the mildest climate in Canada. On your Vancouver city tour, you will experience Vancouver’s biggest and most beautiful attractions, including its famous parks and lookout points, the city’s historical and residential areas, Chinatown and a bustling city centre and financial district.
A Canadian Ice Spectacular Welcome Reception – Sponsored by Air Canada
Taking place at the Westin Bayshore, the Welcome Reception will provide an opportunity for delegates to take advantage of an exclusive preview of the exhibition while enjoying drinks, canapés and unique Canadian entertainment.
Including a performance by Fear No Ice, the world’s first and only performance ice sculpting company. These champion ice sculptors have been competing and sculpting together all over the world and have competed in Winter Olympics and over 10 world championships.
Thursday September 8th
Gala Evening – New for 2011
Vancouver Airport Authority will stage a memorable night taking in food, drink and entertainment at the Vancouver Aquarium, located in the world-famous Stanley Park.
Friday September 9th
Airport Tour
Vancouver Airport Authority will also facilitate a tour of their facilities for delegates so all interested parties can see the airport’s forward-thinking initiatives in practice. The airport has long been at the forefront of simplifying passenger travel through the use of safe, secure technologies and back in 2002, YVR became the first airport globally to introduce the self-serve check-in solution using common-use kiosks. Other programmes pioneered at YVR include NEXUS, an expedited trusted traveller border entry program, developed in collaboration with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP), which allows members to clear the border quickly and safely through the use of secure iris recognition kiosks.
In 2003, the Airport Authority introduced the popular onboard cruise ship check-in programme, which allows eligible passengers to check-in, receive boarding passes and process baggage onboard a returning cruise ship, simplifying the airport departure experience and ensuring that the passengers’ bags are transported directly to their final destination.
Another option offered to cruise ship passengers since 2005 is YVR’s US Direct programme, which shaves up to two hours off the average passenger processing time.
In 2009, Vancouver Airport Authority introduced common-use baggage drops in the US departures area. Passengers simply check in, and then place their checked baggage on any one of four conveyor belts. A customer service agent then checks the passenger’s boarding pass against their bag tag using a custom-built technology solution that not only speeds up the process for passengers but also meets US departing passenger requirements.
Most recently the Airport Authority revolutionised domestic self-serve check-in by adding a self-bag-tagging function for its two domestic airlines in 2010.
