INTERNATIONAL. Decision makers from the world’s top ten airlines – and many others – have signed up to attend the 2010 Airline Retail Conference, which takes place on 20/21 July at the Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel. That’s according to the organisers of the ARC event, which was acquired last year by Ink Publishing.
The event aims to bring together leading airline executives, buyers, concessionaires and brand owners.
Alex Vail, the event’s new Director, said: “The response has been overwhelming from both delegates and exhibitors. We are going to be able to bring a much more global and senior perspective to what has previously been a more regionally focused event. This is clear to us given that all of the world’s top ten airlines will be attending. We are getting everyone from airline chief executives to commercial directors to inflight retail directors.”
The timing of ARC and the editorial content of Airline Retail News, the accompanying show guide and trade publication, are also being aligned with the semi-annual buying cycle. This should help buyers and suppliers close deals during the critical ranging season, said the organisers.
Vail said: “Traditionally the event has been scheduled near to the time when buyers and sellers are finalising their Autumn/Winter ranges. So we are already planning a second ARC event in Asia to coincide with the Spring/Summer buying season early next year.”
The conference agenda and content of Airline Retail News will focus on topics of strategic concern to airlines, including the growing importance of ancillary revenue, areas of conflict and cooperation between airline and airport retailers, the impact of wireless connectivity and new retail technology, and regional and category inflight retail sales trends.
Delegate places at ARC2010 are priced at £530 (+VAT). For more information, or to register, visit airlineretail.com
