Representatives from the global inflight experience industry will gather in Long Beach, California, this week (September 9-11) for the 2025 APEX/IFSA Global EXPO.
Onboard Hospitality magazine spoke to exhibitors to find out why they are attending the annual trade show.
Here are the views from some of the companies exhibiting at Long Beach Convention Center this year:
“The APEX/IFSA Global EXPO is the premier forum where the entire cabin experience ecosystem converges. It is more than a trade show – it’s a critical gathering for innovation, collaboration and networking. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect face-to-face with decision-makers, forge valuable new partnerships and collectively shape the future of the onboard experience. It’s where the latest trends are not just discussed but brought to life,” said Jennifer Green, President and Co-Founder of Procurall.
A place to build meaningful partnerships
Silvan Elsaesser, CEO of ELAG Group, viewed things in a similar light: “It’s one of the few occasions where airlines, caterers and suppliers from around the world gather under one roof – making it the ideal platform to introduce innovations and build meaningful partnerships.
Tasha Harp, Group Director – Client Service (Americas) and Marketing at Buzz, commented: “For us at Buzz, APEX/IFSA Global EXPO is an excellent platform to connect with industry leaders, exhibit our incredible products across multiple categories and partnerships, while sharing and gathering valuable insights.”
Rodney Duty, CEO of Paxia, added: “The APEX/IFSA Global EXPO is a key event because it brings together airlines, suppliers, experts and innovators from around the world in one location to collaborate on shaping the future of passenger experiences, in-flight services and operational efficiency.
“It encourages meaningful discussions on important challenges, such as sustainability, cost management and technological integration, while highlighting the latest trends in food, technology and logistics.
“With a wide range of exhibitors and international stakeholders, it serves as an ideal space for networking, spotting trends, sharing ideas and building partnerships that advance aviation in a rapidly changing environment,” concluded Duty.
Fran Hulme, Director of Business, Americas at Egret Aviation Americas LLC, has been impressed by the tradeshow’s evolution: “The growth of IFSA is remarkable…The IFSA brand has grown significantly over the last two years and will obviously continue to do so.”
Specific to the industry
Valentina Dalle Mule, Global Account Manager – Airlines at Bottega, added: “Because we have a strong presence in airlines and this is a trade fair specific to the industry. So it is a valuable opportunity to focus on this market, which has very different needs compared to, for example, the domestic market.”
Rob Fisher is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bodd, which is returning for its second APEX/IFSA Global EXPO. He said: “APEX brings together the world’s leading minds in passenger experience, technology and innovation. It’s a unique forum where airlines, suppliers and innovators like Bodd can connect directly around the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of travel.
“For us, it’s not just about showcasing technology, it’s about hearing firsthand from operators and partners about what matters most to them and their people.”
Diana Cawley, CEO of the Aviation Sustainability Forum, commented: “Major airlines, caterers and airports congregate to exhibit new and existing services and share best practices.”
Meanwhile, Brett Savidge, Vice President of Sales at uTalk Language Learning, added: “APEX Global is a great way for us to meet key existing customers and potential new customers who are involved in IFE content. Having a single place where so many of the right people attend is key for our business to meet these people. It also helps us to understand the ever-evolving world of IFE to help us evolve to the passengers and the airlines’ needs.”
Under a single roof
David Verschuure, International Sales Manager at Snackboxtogo, shared the opinion that: “The show is a key event because it brings the entire industry together under one roof. In a global business like inflight catering, there are only a handful of occasions each year where suppliers, airlines and partners can connect face-to-face. IFSA is one of those rare opportunities and that’s exactly why we wouldn’t want to miss it.”
Daisy Huang of Xiamen Avio Pack commented: “The APEX/IFSA EXPO is unique – it gathers the entire inflight ecosystem in one place. Airlines, caterers, suppliers and innovators come together not only to see new products but to shape the industry’s future. The concentration of decision-makers and networking opportunities is unmatched. It’s a must-attend for anyone serious about onboard hospitality.”
Crucial to the global aviation industry
Oliver Platts, Commercial Director at John Horsfall, said: “The Americas market is crucial to the global aviation industry and IFSA provides a unique opportunity to meet with key customers and contacts from the airline world in one location.”
And Molly Blakely, Founder of Molly Bz, has a similar perspective: “There is no other show I know of that can give my brand, Molly Bz cookies, the opportunities to be on flights. Plus, we get to meet the decision makers – that’s huge!”
For Rosalane Chow, Marketing Specialist at DKA Aerospace, the event offers a unique environment: “IFSA provides an intimate setting that makes meaningful connections possible. It gives us the chance to meet key customers we might not encounter at larger, more crowded shows.
“With our focus on expanding DKA’s presence in the U.S. market, the location makes it easier for airlines to attend and engage directly with our team, creating opportunities for deeper conversations and long-lasting partnerships.”
It’s a key industry event, argues Jennifer Lawrence, Senior Director, National Accounts On-Premise Travel and Concessions at Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits (SGWS): “It sets the tone for the year ahead, driving collaboration and innovation that shape passenger experience. For us, it’s invaluable to connect directly with decision-makers and showcase how their inflight beverage programmes can differentiate an airline’s brand and how strategically partnering with SGWS can unlock resources to elevate the success of those beverage programmes.”
Innovators and decision makers
Naomi Meghory, Senior Vice President – Global Accounts at Unisync Group Limited, said: “The APEX/IFSA Global EXPO brings together the world’s leading airline suppliers, innovators and decision-makers, making it a crucial hub for collaboration and idea exchange.
“For us, it’s the ideal stage to showcase the convergence of high-quality product, service and sustainability in uniforms – while also staying connected with evolving industry needs.”
Dennis Markert, Director of Business Development, Global Sales and Marketing at Astronics AES, expressed the view: “APEX Global EXPO serves as America’s premier showcase for innovative commercial airline solutions, providing Astronics with a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful and productive discussions with both our existing customers and new industry contacts.”
Richard Wise, Senior Vice President, Content and Channels at IMG, commented: “The show brings together the world’s leading carriers, tech, content suppliers and brightest minds, with innovations that enhance the passenger experience. Each year, we are amazed by the solutions to redefine the travel experience.”
Onboard Hospitality looks forward to attending the 2025 APEX/IFSA Global EXPO. See you in Long Beach!
