ACI Conference expects good attendance
Industry News 12-February-2009
The 18th ACI Europe Airport Trading Conference & Exhibition organisers have released the full detailed programme for this April's event in Porto, Portugal and are expecting a very good attendance, despite the current difficult environment.
The theme for the event this year is: "Driving trends and strategies to maintain competitive advantage in a challenging trading environment", with the event being held at Porto's Alfàndega Congress Centre between April 20-22, 2009.
The programme will begin with a Welcome Reception between 19:30-21:30 at the Noble Hall of the Alfândega Congress Centre on Monday April 20 which - is sponsored by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal.
The conference itself begins the next day with the 09.00 Opening Session welcoming addresses from Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI Europe and Fernando Vieira, Airport Director, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, S.A.
This will be swiftly followed by the Keynote Address entitled: "Marrying culture, market position and vision" by BJ Cunningham - the creator of 'DEATH Cigarettes'.
The organisers said: "This successful entrepreneur became famous for launching DEATH cigarettes - positioning them as "the honest smoke". His Enlightened Tobacco Company gained such a foothold that it found itself taking on the combined might of the industry. He then set up a brand marketing agency with clients including Volkswagen, B&O, Fairline Boats and Nokia. He is currently developing business for the luxury shoe designer Georgina Goodman.
Following this address and a coffee break, the First Working Session is entitled: "In today's world what is the competitive advantage of airport retailing versus local market and other distribution chains, and how do you get the most from it?"
This will feature a retail-focused panel discussion with a 10-minute presentation from each to set the scene from their individual perspectives. This will be chaired and moderated by Doug Newhouse, Editor, The Travel Retail Business - the ACI event's media partner - and the panellists will comprise: Duncan Garrood, Commercial Director, BAA; A senior executive from Autogrill; Jean-François Ninu, General Manager Travel Retail EMEA, L'Oréal; and Ronald Brodheim, CEO, Grupo Brodheim.
After lunch, the 14.00 Second Working Session is entitled: "Successfully overcoming industry challenges, and setting trends to maximise revenues". This is being chaired and moderated by Peter Poungias, Director Commercial & Property, Hochtief Airport GmbH and the Vice-Chairman of the ACI Europe Commercial Forum.
Dr Peter Mohn, Partner, m1nd-set will then present a paper on "How are passenger demographics changing, and how can airports and concessionaires best maximise upon this?.
He will be followed by Doug Benham, Associate Director, Macquarie Airports who will cover "Successfully optimising airport space from existing facilities to create more room for commercial gain". The next presentation will be made by Tony Wijntuin, Manager Retail, Hospitality and Services, Schiphol Group who will talk on the theme: "Free passenger services: How does it work? How do you provide wi-fi, baggage carts, baby care, lounges, downloads and other free services to travellers and what sponsorship and partnership approaches work best for both consumers and the airport?
Luís Rodolfo, Director of Retailing, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal will then present his session which is built around the following: "ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal SA is implementing a strategic retail plan for its network of airports that it devised some years ago. What does this plan involve, and what new innovations will drive increased passenger spending?"
Then last, but not least, the third and final session of the first day will be entitled "The internet & technology - Allies or foes? This will comprise a panel discussion with five-minute presentations from each of the participants to set the scene.
Chaired by Dermot Davitt, Editor and Deputy Publisher, The Moodie Report, the panel will comprise Kurt Staelens, Commercial Director, The Brussels Airport Company; Peter Pullem, Managing Director, Lufthansa WorldShop GmbH; Theresa Hughes, Managing Director, Chauntry; Béatrice Delorme, Executive Vice President Commercial and Marketing, Aelia; Sandrine Mettetal, Marketing and International Business Development Director, JCDecaux Airport; and Helen Grace, VP EMEA Global Foreign Exchange, American Express.
Questions that will be posed will include: How is the internet hurting airports? How can the internet become a more advanced shopping channel for airports? What could be the competitive advantage of an airport from internet shopping? Is pre-ordering an opportunity or a threat? How can airports and concessionaires better utilise the possibilities of mobile phones and blue tooth to create better passenger mindset and commercial gains? How could other e-services pay dividends for passengers and airports? Would introducing more technology and self service to the airport commercial experience deliver greater revenues?
The first day will then be completed with a Networking Gala Dinner at the Palácio da Bolsa between 19:30 - 23:00.
The second day of the conference begins at 09.00 with the Fourth Working Session entitled: "How should airports, concessionaires and suppliers adapt to meet growing environmental considerations of passengers?"
This will comprise a panel discussion with 10-minute presentations from each to set the scene. Chaired and moderated by Neil Robinson, Director of Sustainability, East Midlands, Bournemouth & Humberside Airports, the panellists will comprise Thomas Cassel, Head of Commercial Business, The LFV Group; Fin Casey, Business Development Director, WHSmith Travel Retail and Incoming Vice-Chairman, ACI Europe Commercial Forum; and Mark Birchall, Head of Environment, Health and Safety Europe, Hertz Europe.
The multiple questions being tabled for consideration include: "What is the case for carbon neutrality at airports and can it deliver cost savings to the bottom line? How environmentally conscious is the consumer of today? What is the reality of consumer opinion versus consumer behaviour? How will environmental pressure on aviation affect commercial activities - what are the risks and opportunities?
Further questions being posed in this session, include: Is it likely that airports will be regulated to meet strict CO2 quotas in the future? How can airports, concessionaires and suppliers better meet consumer consideration to eco friendly products and offering? Can car rental, car parking and integrated transport initiatives play a key role? How can waste and use of packaging be reduced within the airport environment? What other steps can be taken to improve environmental performance? Airport retail has a reputation for bright lights and showcasing that utilises extensive energy - how could the same affects be achieved using more environmentally friendly methods?
Following the coffee break, the Fifth Working Session is entitled: "What are the recommended life cycles for an airport shopping area, brand, concession and in-store offer?"
Again, this will consist of a panel discussion with 10-minute presentations from each participant to set the scene. Chaired and moderated by Lewis Allen, Director Environments, Portland Design Associates, the panellists will comprise: Danae Voyatzi, Manager, Retail Services, Athens International Airport S.A and Chairman, ACI Europe Commercial Forum; Paul Whelan, Chairman, The Low Cost Airport Group Ltd and Chairman ACI Europe Small & Medium Size Airport Action Group; Noel Toolan, Chief Marketing Officer, SSP Group; and Ivo Favotto, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, The Nuance Group.
The questions that will be tabled for consideration in this session will include: How regularly should airports overhaul their retail areas? How long can a brand offer maintain consumer interest? Should tenders change to reflect that concession locations are often moved during the life cycle of a contract which creates extra investment? How could stock be replenished in stores faster?
The conference organisers add that more speakers will be announced in relation to this session shortly. They also add that ACI Europe's Airport Service Quality Awards Ceremony 2009 will take place at the ACI Europe Airport Trading Gala Dinner on the Tuesday evening (April 21) - an event which is being hosted by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal.
This is being held in the grand Palácio da Bolsa, described as 'one of the most remarkable monuments of 19th century architecture in Porto' that was recently classified as a World Heritage Site.
Last, but not least, the organisers say that the exhibition side of the conference is also developing well ahead of the event. Confirmed exhibitors to date include Aelia; American Express; Chauntry; Collezioni; HMS Host/Autogrill; ICE; Nuance; SurfBox; and The Change Group.