The World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE®) returns to Hamburg from 10-12 April 2018 and, for the first time, will span across four halls with more than 350 suppliers showcasing the latest products and services for the travel catering, passenger comfort and travel retail industries.
The leading, free-to-attend event attracts more than 3,700 onboard industry professionals who journey to Hamburg for the unrivalled insights and networking opportunities it presents. Many suppliers are already confirmed to return to Hamburg to showcase their latest products and services including LSG Group, BestPartner Food, En Route International, The Bake Factory, Anaik Beauty and dnata. A wide range of new businesses are also confirmed to exhibit at this, the seventh edition of WTCE, with the Avantegarde Spirits Company, BitesWeLove, Bridgehead Foods and Dlecta Foods joining the line-up.
2018 will not only see WTCE span a larger floor space than ever before, but introduce new and improved networking facilities to ensure that attendees can easily initiate business discussions and maximise their time spent at the event.
Brand new networking features for 2018 include the WTCE Business Meeting Hub – a dedicated place for attendees to schedule meetings to discuss new contracts and potential partnerships. VIP guests are invited to book space in advance of, or at the show.
With a dedicated area for professional meetings to take place, the VIP Buyers Lounge will this year provide an exclusive area for VIP guests to relax and enjoy time out from the busy show floor, where they can unwind while taking advantage of the complimentary facilities available, including breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Allowing attendees to plan ahead of the show and throughout is the My Event tool, scheduled to go live soon. Both visitors and exhibitors can enhance their show experience by using My Event on their mobile or desktop to build their own itinerary. The tool enables all attending WTCE to create a personal list of must-see contacts and book meetings before and during the show, as well as earmarking key products and Taste of Travel sessions of interest.
Returning to the Hamburg Messe at WTCE 2018, the popular New Exhibitor Villages will be revamped and expanded, with four zones dedicated to first-time exhibitors across Halls A1-A4. These dedicated areas introduce airline, rail, cruise and coach operators to companies that have never before been showcased at the event. A host of new products and services will be unveiled from a wide range of businesses including Italian Extra Virgin olive oil from Domenico Manca Spa, gourmet snacks from nibnibs, unique nut mixes from BitesWeLove, speciality and innovative cheeses from Bridgehead Foods and wines and cava from family-based Pere Venture Family Wine Estates.
WTCE’s What’s New Onboard showcase will also shine a spotlight on newly-launched products, bringing the latest innovations and new products launched to the market in the past 12 months to the Hamburg Messe.
Following on from a successful launch in 2017, the Focus on World Travel Retail will also return. This dedicated showcase for the onboard travel retail industry will unveil the products and services available for inflight purchases from exhibitors including Animaux, Laduree, Butlers Chocolates, Caffe di Artisan, Bottega SpA and St. Patrick’s Distillery. A networking bar, sponsored by Heinemann Gebr., will also offer exhibitors and visitors a chance to catch up and sample the future of travel retail onboard through a series of branded networking sessions. A full schedule will be announced soon.
The Taste of Travel Theatre will also return to lead the debate at WTCE 2018 with more cutting-edge presentations, live chef demonstrations and new product launches to inspire and delight. Attendance is free of charge and a full programme will be announced in the coming months.
WTCE returns in 2018 to join the Passenger Experience Week line up, comprising four leading events in one destination – the Passenger Experience Conference, WTCE, Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) and new to 2018, Passenger Technology Solutions. The new event will offer attendees a chance to discover and source the latest developments in passenger technologies from mobile initiatives, IT solutions, big data and analytics technology and payment technology suppliers – all enhancing the passenger experience. The show aims to provide technology suppliers with a platform to meet and do business with senior airlines, rail and cruise operators who are looking to achieve a truly connected passenger journey.
Passenger Experience Week will commence with the Passenger Experience Conference. It returns to the Hamburg Messe on Monday 9 April and offers attendees the chance to learn from industry experts and network with likeminded professionals at the popular Industry Networking Party, which kicks off as the conference closes. WTCE, AIX and Passenger Technology Solutions will open on Tuesday 10 April with exhibitors and visitors invited to attend a free networking opportunity at the WTCE 2018 Reception, sponsored by Heineken, held on the opening day from 5-7pm.
With all Passenger Experience Week events being staged under one roof, the Hamburg Messe is the destination for professionals within the air, rail, cruise and coach industries to discover the latest cabin interiors, inflight entertainment and connectivity, onboard technology, passenger comfort, catering and retail offerings to create the ultimate passenger experience.
WTCE remains the number one event for buyers from the world’s international, charter and regional airlines and rail operators, as well as cruise and coach companies. It also offers a unique platform to see the newest products and innovations, benefit from expert insight and advice and network with peers. Registration to attend the show in April opens in November. For more information visit www.worldtravelcateringexpo.com.
For further press information please contact Beki McVicker or Lesley Foottit at Storm Communications press office on +44 (0) 207 240 2444 or email wtce@stormcom.co.uk.
About Passenger Experience Week
Four leading events – the Passenger Experience Conference, Aircraft Interiors Expo, World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo and Passenger Technology Solutions – one week, one destination. Delivering content, driving innovation and developing connections to transform your business. Showcasing the latest in cabin interiors, inflight entertainment and connectivity, onboard technology, passenger comfort, catering and travel retail to create the ultimate passenger experience. Taking place 9-12 April 2018 in Hamburg, the events attract more than 18,000 visitors including 2,000 buyers and decision makers from major full service, regional and charter airlines and rail operators and offers the opportunity to meet face to face with suppliers and manufacturers covering the full spectrum of the industry.https://www.passengerexperienceweek.com
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 500 events in over 30 countries. In 2016 Reed brought together over seven million event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 38 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customer across industries. www.reedexpo.com
