Future Trends & Customer Journeys Conference Agenda

Join us as we officially open the exhibition hall and unveil the latest innovations, live demonstrations, technology showcases, and products from across the aviation industry.

Take the opportunity to enjoy a light breakfast or a hot drink while exploring the show floor, connecting with exhibitors, and networking with fellow attendees before a full day of inspiring conference sessions and business meetings.

The popular Tech & Innovation Briefings on the exhibition floor allow attendees to join guided tours and meet exhibitors with relevant products, services, and concepts. You can expect tailored guided tours from solution providers covering: Artificial Intelligence; Self-Service, Automation & Baggage; and Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles.

How do we bridge the gap between legacy leadership and future-ready air transport, and how can the sector unlock hidden capacity, operational efficiency and revenues by recalibrating their future strategies and maximising collaboration?

At the epicentre of this show is the industry’s most exciting competition to seek out the very best new ideas to change our industry for the better. Competitors will pitch on-stage in an effort to impress our judges and audience, whose all-important votes will dictate who wins.

The format will be 5-minute pitch sessions by 5 shortlisted entries with quick-fire questions and comments from the judges on their transformative concept.

Find out more and submit your entry here

Following its highly successful debut at APEX FTE EMEA in Dublin, the initiative returns to Dallas and is bigger than ever. This airline-focused session offers attendees the chance to book guaranteed 5-minute introductory meetings with multiple airline buyers who will be hosting meeting tables.

The emphasis is on fostering airline-supplier collaborations on new technologies and sowing the seeds for long-term profit boosting business partnerships.

Participation is included at no additional cost as part of your FTE Global registration, although places are limited and meetings will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

What are the changes coming in the near future such as new types of aircraft and technology, plus industry developments like walkthrough screening, no bags in customs, connection updates, or enhancements at the TSA checkpoint that would have a significant impact on the way airlines and airports should plan around when forging future strategies?

This session will explore how a leading aviation operator will dare to do things differently in the future while retaining the DNA code at the heart of its successful 100-year history. More details will be published here shortly

Make the most of the vital networking opportunities provided during this networking reception where delegates can enjoy demonstrations in the exhibition and network with their peers over drinks.

The reception will also provide the perfect location for our Moonshot Competition co-host, Kevin Kleist, Head of Emerging Trends, Southwest Airlines & Head of Innovation & Startup Engagement, Future Travel Experience, to reveal the winner of the FTE Global Moonshot Competition.

U.S. CBP has expanded public/private partnerships with the airlines, airports, and cruise lines to provide travellers a secure, seamless, and touchless inspections process and enhance the passenger experience. With an increase in travel to the United States for the World Cup in 2026 and the LA Olympics in 2028, CBP is innovating the inspections process to add an extra layer of security while streamlining entry into the U.S. through a number of initiatives. In this session, CBP executives will provide an update on CBP’s ongoing efforts to leverage advanced technology like facial biometrics and mobile applications to further secure and enhance travel in the air and sea environments.

The popular Tech & Innovation Briefings on the exhibition floor allow attendees to join guided tours and meet exhibitors with relevant products, services, and concepts. You can expect tailored guided tours from solution providers covering: Artificial Intelligence; Self-Service, Automation & Baggage; and Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles.

This interactive panel discussion will reveal some of the secrets to using AI and other new technologies to reimagine end-to-end customer journeys, and empower staff along the way.

Following its highly successful debut at APEX FTE EMEA in Dublin, the initiative returns to Dallas and is bigger than ever. This airport-focused session offers attendees the chance to book guaranteed 5-minute introductory meetings with multiple airline buyers who will be hosting meeting tables.

The emphasis is on fostering airline-supplier collaborations on new technologies and sowing the seeds for long-term profit boosting business partnerships.

Participation is included at no additional cost as part of your FTE Global registration, although places are limited and meetings will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The popular Tech & Innovation Briefings on the exhibition floor allow attendees to join guided tours and meet exhibitors with relevant products, services, and concepts. You can expect tailored guided tours from solution providers covering: Artificial Intelligence; Self-Service, Automation & Baggage; and Robotics & Autonomous Vehicles.

After two days of learning, networking, and inspiration, we invite you to unwind with an informal drink. Rock & Brews is just 12 minutes from the Gaylord Convention Center and 6 minutes from DFW Airport—perfect for a quick drink, a casual bite, or a last stop before you head out.