After taking part in WTCE for the past three years, the popcorn company has established relationships with major airlines such as Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines.
Chirag Gupta, founder and CEO of 4700BC Gourmet Snacks, said: “WTCE is the only platform to showcase and build relationships with airlines. Being there for the past three years has significantly helped us develop those connections and in fact, 100% of our new airline clients have been acquired through WTCE, emphasising the event’s importance in our marketing strategy.
“We now work with some of the world’s leading operators, with all of the relationships being formed at WTCE. In addition to new business, the event is also crucial in helping to retain existing clients, so it has become an important fixture in our annual calendar.”
In the airline food and beverage industry, it is a challenge for suppliers to establish and maintain connections with airlines worldwide. The logistics of reaching out to individual operators across different countries is near impossible and poses a significant hurdle for businesses aiming to expand their client base in the sector.
The need for continuous relationship building and adapting to specific airline requirements, such as packaging and pricing, are critical challenges that require a close working relationship with airlines.
4700BC Gourmet Snacks began its journey in 2013 with a vision to ‘revolutionise the Indian snack industry’ by introducing gourmet popcorn, a concept inspired by international markets. Over the years, the brand transitioned from being solely focused on gourmet popcorn to a comprehensive snack company dedicated to delivering customised products, including popped chips, protein pops and gift boxes. This evolution has been driven by a commitment to meeting the needs of the airline industry, offering products that cater to specific requirements such as packaging and pricing.
Next came the opportunity to connect with global airlines by taking part at WTCE. The team used the exhibition as a platform to present an innovative snack range suiting the unique needs of full-service airlines and low-cost carriers. By addressing crucial factors such as packaging and pricing, 4700BC Gourmet Snacks managed to expand its network in the onboard services market.
A strategic plan was developed in preparation for the event. This included an enticing stand and enjoyable experience to showcase its products specifically designed for airlines.
By utilising tools such as the WTCE Connect meetings platform, the company was able to showcase its products and plan time at the show to form valuable connections, generate promising leads and gain maximum ROI from their participation.
WTCE’s ability to attract those in the airline industry responsible for food and beverage purchasing facilitated significant and targeted networking. The gourmet popcorn company also followed up post-event to ensure business growth and reinforce relationships.
WTCE 2025 will take place from 8-10 April at the Hamburg Messe, Hamburg, Germany.
