SINGAPORE. GATE ONE (Global Airport Trade Event) the airport industry conference which will take place at the Singapore Suntec Centre on 20 and 21 May 2004, is to focus heavily on commercial opportunities.
Globally, non-aeronautical revenues account for over half of total airport income, and that figure is set to rise according to Airports Council International (ACI), the voice of the world’s airports which is joint organiser of the event with Tax Free World Association.
At GATE ONE, airport and retail experts will present valuable information relating closely to commercial strategies of airports. Suppliers, the third party of the so-called airport Trinity, will have an opportunity to learn about the parameters within which airport managers operate.
ACI director general Robert Aaronson commented: “GATE ONE is an innovative concept and one which has emerged from the evolution of concessionaires in the air transport industry. Today the airport is a highly sophisticated marketplace with an immense array of products and services on offer.”
The GATE ONE discussion sessions will include:
• Attracting the future customer
• Creating win-win concessionaire contracts
• Designing terminal space for maximum return
• Assessment of China’s aviation industry and its outbound traveller
• Maximising revenues from advertising space
• Airport food & beverage services
GATE ONE will also include a networking programme with sponsored breakfasts and lunches on both days to encourage delegates to confer and develop business opportunities. There will also be the chance to attend the gala evening event at the TFWA Asia Pacific show, the Singapore Swing, on Thursday 20 May.
TFWA and GATE ONE chief executive Andrew Ford said: “GATE ONE is a very exciting project. For the first time all those involved in generating revenues from concessionaires at airports on a worldwide basis will have the chance to get together and focus on how commercial activities at airports can be best managed in the future.
“Such decisions have implications for airport design, facility development, service delivery as well as the product mix on offer. It is particularly appropriate that this inaugural event should take place in Asia, an area which is seeing huge investment in the development of airports and transport infrastructure.”
