Future Airports Conference Agenda
Sessions will focus on how future airports should adapt, look, collaborate and operate going forward and will cover digital transformation & automation, identity, biometrics and security, planning and design, sustainability, reimagined customer experiences, commercial, workforce, baggage, operations and new areas such as metaverse, NFT & Crypto and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Leading organisations already confirmed to speak in this track include Los Angeles World Airports, Munich Airport International, Royal Schiphol Group, Air Canada, Hamad International Airport, Fraport, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Populous, JFK Millenium Partners, Edmonton International Airport, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Miami International Airport, NEC Corporation of America, TSA, Star Alliance, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Avinor, Lufthansa, EASIER, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), IDEMIA, American Airlines, Mastercard, Hill International and Brussels Airport Company.

The agenda - Subject to change
FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub Live – Open to Corporate Partners only

The members-only FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub Live activities will be hosted alongside our FTE Global event. Our Corporate Partners can expect high-level innovation keynotes, a startup pitch session featuring a selection of high-potential startup companies and then a visit to the Odys Aviation’s HQ in Long Beach, where we will hear and experience how Odys is building the next generation of regional hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft, before joining tours of the hangar facilities and cabin mock-up, followed by a live flight test demonstration.
Visit the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub website to learn more >>
FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group meeting at LAX - members only

The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) brings together the most innovative and progressive baggage supply chain companies, airlines, and airports from across the industry to provide a unique platform for cooperation and industry advancement. It is the platform for game-changing proof of concepts (POCs) & developing new techniques, technologies, and business models to deliver tangible change in the baggage sector.
Please contact us for more information Airlines can join for free
New for 2023: FTE World Airport Retailing Working Group meeting at LAX - members only

The FTE World Airport Retailing Working Group (WARWG) will provide a platform – and build a community – in which the brightest, most progressive minds in the commercial sector globally from airports, airlines, concessionaires, brands, consultants and more can network & share ideas, visions and learnings on how the industry can improve its commercial offerings, strategies and collaboration. Its free to join for all and this first highly interactive meeting at LAX will be themed as “An A-Z on commercial planning for new & redeveloped airport facilities” and the team from the impressive new Terminal A at Newark Airport (MUC International, Portland Design, Grimshaw & Moment Factory) will help instigate group wide discussions on best practices by giving a 360-degree view on implementing the vision, and the decision-making and lessons learned along the way.
FTE Global Welcome Drinks

We invite all premium attendees to join us for a ‘Sundowner’ drink at The Ballast Point Long Beach. Meet with your fellow FTE attendees, connect with industry colleagues both new and established, whilst enjoying refreshing ocean breezes and incredible water views. Showcasing the very best hospitality that Long Beach has to offer, this sprawling harborside spot, featuring outdoor patios with fire pits, and 60+ beers on tap, guests can relax and network while watching passing boats and gorgeous sunsets.
Tuesday 19th September 2023 - Day 1
U.S. CBP Briefing & Workshop

FTE Global 2023 will once more be complemented by a U.S CBP workshop, at which experts and guest speakers will lead discussions in an interactive environment on the best approaches to expand facial biometrics from curb to gate.


Nina Sproedt
Vice President Product Development
Lufthansa Group


Carlos R. Estrada
Director of Commercial Homeport Operations
Carnival Cruise Line


Diane J. Sabatino
Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Field Operations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Opening Keynote Session


Daniel Coleman
Founder & CEO
Future Travel Experience


Dr. Joe Leader
CEO
APEX/IFSA
Executive Summary Conclusions of the groundbreaking FTE/Fast Future Study on Tomorrow’s Customer 2030


Rohit Talwar
CEO
Fast Future
Leading in Turbulent Times
Brian is responsible for building a vibrant, inclusive culture that accelerates the growth of Google’s business and talent. He oversees onboarding, training, leadership development and talent management for 180,000 “Googlers” in more than 60 countries. Previously, Brian led organisational development for JetBlue Airways, helping shape the company’s distinctive culture from the ground up and contributing to its massive growth as a member of the original start-up team. Prior to that, he held positions at Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Live Nation, the global leader in live entertainment, produces more concerts, sells more tickets, and connects more brands to music than anyone else. Its commitment to creating memorable experiences and fostering engagement mirrors the efforts of many stakeholders in the travel sector. People are increasingly blending their passions for travel and live music, seeking unique and immersive experiences that combine both. In this session, we delve into Live Nation’s unique strategy and uncover what we can learn from their success.
Jeff oversees global partnership growth and strategy development at Live Nation Entertainment, and is an accomplished senior executive with a successful history in building and scaling strategic corporate divisions and early-stage businesses as a business development and marketing leader in entertainment and technology companies. He resides in Chicago, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He is also a DJ (upon occasion) and a passionate music fan (always).
VIP EXHIBITION TOUR, PLUS NETWORKING BREAK
Special Presentation
What should we expect from the industry at large by 2030, and how will the role of the airport operator evolve into the future?


Justin Erbacci
CEO
Los Angeles World Airports
What will the successful airports of 2030 look like, how will passengers move through them differently and how will business models evolve in new ways?
Following a scene setting presentation from the moderator the session will move to a fast-moving panel discussion


Geoffrey Ax
Ax, Principal / Aviation Market Leader
Populous


Steven Thody
COO
JFK Millenium Partners


Lutz Weisser
Managing Director
Munich Airport International


Diane J. Sabatino
Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of Field Operations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Austin Gould
Assistant Administrator of Requirements and Capabilities Analysis (RCA)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)


Greg Forbes
Managing Director Airport Experience
Delta Air Lines
- How will airport design evolve, and move beyond us replacing existing facilities with new facilities that fundamentally do the same thing as before?
- How do we further evolve the check in experience?
- How do we really move to a “walking airport”?
- How do we better communicate relevant information to passengers to assist them in connecting through our airport?
- How do we provide state of the art mobility solutions to enable passenger transit?
- How can we go further in automating (self service) as much as possible?
- How do we get more processes off airport?
LUNCH, EXHIBITION SHOWCASE, NETWORKING, TOUR & BRIEFING
Special Presentation
How central will technology be to Royal Schiphol Groups’ Vision 2050 to create the world’s most sustainable and high-quality airports?


Lennert l'Amie
CIO
Royal Schiphol Group
The Airport Technology Leaders Conversation

The moderator will set the scene, and the panel will then tackle the following topics:
- What impact is digital having on business models, and is there an opportunity now for airports to evolve from being landlords to retailers?
- How do airports succeed with scaling digital revenue creation?
- How can airport digital and sustainability strategies converge successfully?
- How do airports effectively go cloud native?


Ian Law
Chief Digital Transformation Officer
Los Angeles World Airports


Haider Arif Hayat
Head of Enterprise Information Architecture, Analytics & AI
Hamad International Airport


Rakan Khaled
General Manager, Airport Solutions
Collins Aerospace


Tara Mulrooney
VP Technology & Innovation
Edmonton International Airport


Lennert l'Amie
CIO
Royal Schiphol Group
FTE’s Conduits to the Airline Technology Leaders Conversation:


Kevin Kleist
Senior Emerging Trends Advisor
Southwest Airlines


Darin Juby
Head of Baggage Transformation, Future Travel Experience & Managing Director, Operational Performance Transformation
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
NETWORKING BREAK, EXHIBITION SHOWCASE & TOUR
Biometrics & Digital Identity Summit



Maurice Jenkins
Chief Innovation Officer
Miami International Airport
Following brief scene setting presentations the panel will share a range of dynamic approaches and learnings on how they are advancing digital identity to deliver next-level customer experiences and efficiencies for industry stakeholders, and ideas on how the industry can achieve the vast potential that new digital identity approaches leveraging biometrics can deliver to the sector.
How central are biometrics to United’s strategies going forward, and what does the airline want to see from the sector next to help it realise its ambitions in this field?


Devon Heyns
Director - Customer Innovation & Solutions
United Airlines
What was the compelling business case for Frankfurt Airport to make one of the largest investments in biometrics to date, and does it believe all airports should be leveraging digital identity technology to same level also?


Jens Sanner
Program Director for Digital Services and Transformation
Fraport
How is NEC advancing, and connecting, the worlds of airports, airlines, urban air mobility, cruise & hotels through its digital identify efforts and what needs to happen next to accelerate global progress in this realm?


Bill Carleton
Director, Advanced Recognition Systems
NEC Corporation of America


Melissa Conley
Executive Director of Capability Management and Innovation
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)


Christian Draeger
VP Customer Experience
Star Alliance


Nael Samha
Executive Director, Targeting, Vetting and Biometrics Systems
U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Forest Beattie
Solution Engineer Senior Manager
SITA
- What does digital ID really enable within our industry to start thinking about doing, and how big should our ambitions be for it globally?
- What is the latest on advancing domestic biometric boarding and will the Touchless Identity Solution for Trusted Travellers trialed between TSA, US CBP and Delta be the method that rolls out across the US?
- How are the airlines balancing, and considering available programmes like the US government provided TVS solution against their own sovereign digital programmes?
- What have been the big lessons learnt on business models, financials and implementations that somebody who is only just thinking about working with biometrics should know?
- What is the latest on standards, and what do we want to see in terms of recommended practices and regulation?
- What type of biometric – facial, palm, fingerprint – is going to win out, or will systems need to accommodate all options?
- What is considered best practice now on addressing privacy concerns, and educating and motivating passengers on the merits of sharing their biometric data?
- Are there regional considerations or constraints around privacy that prove particularly challenging to enabling a seamless global Digital ID-based travel journey for an airline or Alliance?
- How does the industry move faster to scale biometrics globally, and facilitate biometrics at both ends to create a domestic arrivals experience on an arriving international flight?
- How do we see the future of biometric integration into the wider travel eco-system as a truly seamless single journey – flight, cruise, rail, car rental, advanced air mobility, hotels etc?
- Most biometric efforts so far have been driven by network carriers and hub airports, but can we expect regional airports and low-cost carriers to follow suit soon?
- What more can suppliers do to support industry progress, and interoperability desires?
The FTE Global Networking Party & Awards Ceremony hosted by LAWA

Hosted by:
This year’s Networking Party will take place at Ovation Square – a former bank, built in 1923, and designed by Paul R. Williams, one of the first Black architects in Los Angeles, who also worked on the team that designed the Theme Building at LAX. It is located in downtown Long Beach, a short walk from the convention center and downtown hotels. The event will be this year’s premiere industry networking event, providing a perfect opportunity to unwind and network with fellow attendees in a relaxed environment.
The FTE Global Networking Party will also provide the perfect location for the industry-leading FTE Global Awards sponsored by Smithgroup, Kohn Pedersen Fox, and HNTB, which will recognise outstanding achievements in our sector.
FTE Global Awards Sponsored by:
Wednesday 20th September 2023 - Day 2
Symposium on establishing and leveraging Private Networks at the airport


Eduardo Valencia
CIO
Metropolitan Airports Commission


Samuel Ingalls
Principal
Barich, Inc
FTE Global 2023 will be complemented by a dedicated symposium where experts in the field of private networks, and guest speakers, will share insights and learnings in an interactive environment.


Michael Youngs
Vice President Information Technology
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport


Walt Shaw
Senior Director of Product
Boingo Wireless


Maarten Van Aerde
General Manager
Citymesh
Achieving a revolution in baggage by 2030


Darin Juby
Head of Baggage Transformation, Future Travel Experience & Managing Director, Operational Performance Transformation
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Following an update from the moderator on the latest progress from the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group on its POCs and focus areas, and a provocative scene setting presentation on how we can overcome current challenges, and open new opportunities across the baggage realm, the panel will share ideas and views around the following key topics:
- Using robotics and AI
- Sustainability in baggage
- Baggage Tracking
- The future of the baggage hall


Idar Sørgjerd
Department Manager, BHS, Tech & Op. Excellence
Avinor


Jason Odey
Director, Global Baggage Excellence
Air Canada


Byron Smith
Chief Technology Officer
NetTracer


Jan Vidar Nalbant
CCO
BagID


Mike Byrom
Vice President, Airports & Crew Services
Spirit Airlines
NETWORKING BREAK, EXHIBITION SHOWCASE & TOUR
Progressive strategies to enhance customer experiences and business performance on the airport


Arturo Garcia-Alonso
Chief Strategy Officer
Avports
How is Heathrow addressing the big industry challenges relating to decarbonisation, capacity, workforce, automation and enhanced collaboration between stakeholders to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency?


Chris Annetts
Chief Strategy Officer
Heathrow
How dynamic new approaches are driving a sub 5 minute lobby experience across Alaska Airlines’ airport network for its passengers?


Amber Simonsen
Director, Airport Lobby Transformation
Alaska Airlines
Holistic Approach to Digital Airport Transformation


Dr. Jan-Henrik Andersson
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) & Chief Security Officer (CSO)
Munich Airport
Interactive Workshop: LAX has the largest deployment of biometric boarding gates in the US and over 50 airlines using the technology. What have been the key learnings so far, and what’s next?
Alternative Session Choice


Hervé Muller
Head of Airport Sales
EASIER


Aura Moore
CIO
Los Angeles World Airports


Patrick Sgueglia
, Product Development, Airport Experience, Biometrics, Regulatory
Lufthansa


Nael Samha
Executive Director, Targeting, Vetting and Biometrics Systems
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
LUNCH, EXHIBITION SHOWCASE, NETWORKING, TOUR & BRIEFING
Post Lunch Keynote Session for all attendees
What were the key learnings from hosting the World Cup, and how will Qatar Airways & Hamad International Airport build upon the tournament’s incredible legacy?
FTE Exclusive: “Next Generation Aviation Security” Think Tank
Future Travel Experience is wholeheartedly committed to driving positive industry change. A vital part of these efforts are our unique Think Tank projects, which bring together senior experts from across the industry to tackle key topics, co-create forward-thinking visions and address common challenges. Post pandemic and as we look forward, aviation security practices must evolve with the threat, and beyond a 20th Century paradigm of security screening hardware that is largely unconnected and which, as a result, does fully not leverage the power of technology. If technologies, such as cloud computing, IoT, AI, blockchain, big data, digital identity authentication, etc., could be unleashed in an effective risk-based manner, the results would be dramatic improvements in security, lower costs for all industry players and far greater passenger satisfaction. FTE and APEX now look to help inspire the next generation of aviation security through one of our renowned think tanks, where a working group of industry experts will design a new model of aviation security leveraging new technologies and innovative approaches beyond the checkpoint and to encompass hold baggage processing, perimeter security, counter-drone measures, and off-airport processing. The Group will then advise ways in which the industry can work together to achieve the vision. This effort will be supplemented by an industry-wide crowdsourcing effort to invite the brightest minds to put forward their ideas to help inspire the final Think Tank recommendations.


Anne Marie Pellerin
Founder and Managing Partner
LAM LHA


Ian Law
Chief Digital Transformation Officer
Los Angeles World Airports


Matt Gilkeson
Director, Innovation Task Force
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)


Lisa Sullivan
Executive Vice President- Travel and Transport
IDEMIA


Tim Lorenzen
Senior Manager, Security Innovation
American Airlines


Bob Kwik
Global Head of Airports
Amazon Web Services


Sarah Clark
Senior Vice President - Digital Identity
Mastercard


Dr. Joe Leader
CEO
APEX/IFSA
- How are threats evolving post-pandemic, and what will they look like in the next generation of aviation?
- Aligned with the evolving threat and new/emerging technologies, how will security processes evolve?
- Which technologies can truly revolutionise the security process?
- How do we successfully collaborate at the local and global levels to accelerate the fielding of these new technologies and processes, including streamlining certification processes?
- How can the industry achieve a security model that is recognisable and familiar regardless of the airport and despite a range of technologies being used?
- How central will biometrics be to a next generation aviation security vision?
- Is the concept of risk-based passenger screening still on the agenda, or has technology advanced to a point where we can screen everyone quickly if we unlock its full potential?
- How do we address data protection, privacy and cybersecurity?
- How long will it take us to achieve the seamless self-service security experience we all dream of?
- What potential innovations to the “business model”, financing and incentive structure of aviation security could we adopt that would improve security, lower costs and improve passenger experience?
- How will the development of autonomous vehicles and air taxis and the fact that the airport experience begins at home now impact future security practices?
NETWORKING BREAK, EXHIBITION SHOWCASE & TOUR
Transformative approaches to designing the next generation of airport facilities where physical, digital & sustainability intersect
The moderator will set the scene, and then each speaker will talk for five minutes from their seat on how they have driven exciting new approaches to facility development. After everyone has voiced their opinion, the panel will share their ideas for the future.


Yvonne Bilshausen
Vice President of Aviation, U.S. West & Canada
Hill International


Philip Autekie
Masterplanning and Design Manager
Brussels Airport Company


Terri Mestas
Chief Development Officer
Los Angeles World Airports


Forth Bagley
Principal
Kohn Pedersen Fox


Yahav Ran
CEO
Synect


Steve Sisneros
VP Airport Affairs
Southwest Airlines
Sponsored by:
Workshop: Successfully implementing electronic bag tags
Alternative Session Choice


Gus Naughton
Senior Software Engineer, Emerging Technologies
Alaska Airlines


Jean Carlon
Product Manager of Airport Guest Technology
Alaska Airlines


Jasper Quak
Managing Director
BAGTAG
Exhibition Closing Party

Make the most of the vital networking opportunities provided at the FTE Global 2023 Exhibition Closing Party which provides a final opportunity to spend some quality time on the show floor with a fun social twist thanks to our exhibitors who will be hosting drinks receptions, prize draw giveaways and unveilings.
The Exhibition Closing Party will begin early so participants have more scope to network outside of the official event proceedings.
Sponsored by:
Thursday 21st September 2023 - Day 3
APEX Thought Leadership Day

FTE Global Registration Open: 08:30 – 14:30
The APEX/IFSA Thought Leadership Day is a definitive highlight of APEX/IFSA EXPO and always attracts one of the best speaker line-up’s of airline leaders in the world to share future visions, insights and strategies and this year is no different.
Thanks to the co-location efforts this year FTE Global attendees will have full-access to this conference day too.
Welcome from Joe Leader, CEO, APEX/IFSA


Dr. Joe Leader
CEO
APEX/IFSA
His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO, Qatar Airways Group, Hamad International Airport and Chairman of Qatar Tourism


Mr Akbar Al Baker
Group CEO
Group CEO, Qatar Airways Group, Hamad International Airport and Chairman of Qatar Tourism
10.30-11.00 – Coffee Break


Dina Ben Tal Ganancia
CEO
EL AL Israel Airlines


Ted Christie
President & CEO
Spirit Airlines
12.00-13.15 – Networking Lunch


Capt Ibrahim Koshy
CEO
Saudia Airlines


Anko van der Werff
CEO
SAS
14.20-14.35 – Coffee Break


Zhao Dong
Chairman
Xiamen Airlines


Andre Viljoen
Managing Director & CEO
Fiji Airways
16.30-16.45 – Coffee Break
APEX Annual General Meeting (AGM) – APEX members only
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Vital Event Information
Future Travel Experience Global 2023 is a global forum that brings together airlines, airports, government agencies, vendors, start-ups, terminal designers, architects, ground handlers, destination partners and various other travel industry stakeholders to learn, collaborate and be inspired on their next moves to transform their organisations’ passenger experience, business performance & sustainability strategies.
- Event
- Future Travel Experience Global 2023
- Date
- - September 2023
- Location
- Long Beach Convention Center, California, United States
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