Speakers’ Corner: Join Industry Leaders as they share the Latest in Inflight Entertainment to improve the Passenger Experience at the APEX EXPO, 17 to 20 September in Long Beach, Calif. USA

This week’s ‘Speakers’ Corner’ feature comes to us via Dominic Green. The author is the APEX Events & EXPO Chair, Awards Chair, Secretary and Board Member. He is also Senior Director for Client Services at Spafax.

“You can already hear the planes revving their engines. Airlines large and small, as well as airline vendors and entertainment companies of all types, are poised for a yearly gathering like no other. The Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) EXPO will be held 17 to 20 September in Long Beach, Calif. USA. This highly anticipated global event – which this year will be co-located with the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) – is your chance to learn from industry leaders about emerging trends affecting the airline passenger, including connectivity, social gaming and how an influx in passenger choices are shaping how we do business. The EXPO is also the place to observe firsthand the latest and most comprehensive display of airline related technologies, products and services. The overarching goal of this EXPO is simple: to improve the passenger experience.

All attendees – vendors, exhibitors and buyers alike – have reason to attend the annual APEX EXPO. Attendees can meet with colleagues and grow their networks by discovering who’s who in every facet of the airline industry. While doing business is a primary reason many participants fly in from every corner of the globe, the APEX EXPO also provides unique opportunities for companies to learn about airline entertainment trends and developing technologies.

This year, the EXPO features some exciting educational opportunities designed to let attendees get an in-depth look at every aspect of the passenger experience – from ticket purchasing to baggage claim. Below are a few highlights of which to take note as you prepare to make the most of your EXPO experience:

• Technology. Technology is not only shaping how airlines and vendors conduct business, but it’s transforming how passengers actually experience air travel. This track of educational sessions is designed to evaluate the technologies in-depth. Speakers will discuss technical issues related to payment technologies, software management equipment, file delivery, connectivity and other major changes that are affecting this industry.
• Improving Travel. Gone are the days of boarding a plane and sitting idly for three or four hours staring out of your window. Today’s traveler demands more, and it’s our job to give it to them. When we think air travel, we now think gaming, checking emails, doing business and enjoying the flight. Attendees who choose this track will learn about cabin operations, content vendors and connectivity. We’ve even included a fascinating session related to passenger tastes – you read right, tastes – and how actual flavors can craft the overall experience and leave passengers salivating for more.
• Wireless. Just five years ago, this would have sounded more sci-fi than reality. But passengers have grown accustomed to Internet access wherever they are – at home, in the office, in the car and even 30,000 feet in the air. These sessions are sure to be popular as attendees will learn about various wireless platforms (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.) as well as the logistical and security issues posed by widening options for passengers. Speakers will also discuss issues related to bandwidth limits and how Internet access may be used inflight.

In addition to enlightening presentations and discussions, we will honor airlines and vendors during our annual APEX Awards Ceremony. The Passenger Choice Awards are based on individual votes submitted online by members of the traveling public, and the Avion Awards recognize significant achievements in general and in technology. We also will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to a deserving APEX member who has made significant contributions to the organization.

We encourage you to take full advantage of our packed agenda and start scheduling meetings with colleagues, airlines and vendors before you go. And remember, APEX members will have the chance to rub elbows with industry leaders at a specially designated networking event hosted at the Museum of Latin American Art. Registration can be completed here, so make your reservations today. For more information about APEX or the EXPO, please visit www.apex.aero.

IFExpress: In case you want a few more good reasons to attend, here they are – What’s Trending, Party With Your Competitors, Rumors, People Data/Help Wanted, Hot Content, What Works – What Doesn’t, You Paid How Much, Seeing People Who Really Count In Your Life – and we are sure you have your own reasons!

For you tech and non-tech’s out there, we found a brilliant article on display specifications – 16 Misleading Display Specs and What They Really Mean

Lastly, a correction for last week’s IFExpress and apologies to Inmarsat. Global Xpress, Inmarsat’s 2015 worldwide data connectivity solution is comprised of satellites operating in the Ka microwave frequency band (26.5 – 40 GHz).