
Airport Experience Conference
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About this event
Airport Experience Conference 2026
Date: October 12–14, 2026
Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Event Type: Aviation, Airport Operations, Passenger Experience, Travel Technology, Hospitality Services
About the Event
The Airport Experience Conference brings together stakeholders from aviation, hospitality, and technology sectors to redefine air travel through innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions. This event serves as a platform for airports, airlines, concessionaires, and service providers to collaborate on enhancing every aspect of the traveler journey.
Who Attends
- Airport executives and operations managers
- Airlines and aviation service providers
- Technology innovators (airline systems, biometrics, baggage handling)
- Hospitality and retail concessionaires
- Government and regulatory bodies
- Travel tech startups and investors
Location & Audience Reach
Event Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Attendee Geographic Origin: Global, with a strong presence from North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Key attendees include major hub airports, low-cost carriers, and tech-driven service providers.
Audience Reach: Global. The event attracts decision-makers from international airports, airlines, and aviation authorities, alongside exhibitors showcasing solutions for border security, passenger engagement, and operational efficiency.
Sample Buyer Companies & Titles
| Priority | Company | Website | Best Title to Target | Why This is a Good Buyer Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai Airports | https://www.dubai-airports.com | Chief Experience Officer | Key decision-maker for airport amenities, passenger experience, and tech integration at one of the world's busiest airports. |
| 2 | Delta Air Lines | https://www.delta.com | Director of Airport Operations | Responsible for enhancing airport touchpoints, including check-in, security, and lounge experiences. |
| 3 | Heathrow Airport Limited | https://www.heathrow.com | Head of Passenger Services | Focuses on improving traveler journey, including accessibility, digital wayfinding, and service innovation. |
| 4 | Amadeus IT Group | https://www.amadeus.com | Vice President, Airline & Airport Solutions | Leads development of IT systems for airline and airport operations, including check-in and baggage management. |
| 5 | Hyatt Hotels Corporation | https://www.hyatt.com | Director of Airport Hotel Operations | Manages hotel services within airport locations, focusing on transit passenger needs and loyalty programs. |
Job Profiles & Industries
Best Job Titles to Target: Chief Experience Officer, Director of Airport Operations, Head of Passenger Services, VP of Technology, Director of Concessions, Airport IT Manager, Customer Experience Manager, Aviation Security Director.
Key Industries (Apollo Filters): Aviation & Aerospace, Hospitality, Transportation/Trucking/Railroad, Information Technology & Services, Computer Software, Building Materials, Government Administration, Travel & Tourism.
Estimated Attendance
Expected Footfall: 8,000+ attendees, including 300+ exhibitors and 200+ speakers. The conference will feature 50+ sessions on topics like AI in travel, sustainable airports, and seamless border checks.
Key Focus Areas & Buyer Engagement
Focus Areas: Passenger experience optimization, airport retail and dining innovations, biometric security, smart airport technologies, sustainability practices, and crisis management.
Engagement Angle: Position your client’s product as a solution for enhancing operational efficiency, reducing wait times, or improving traveler satisfaction. Highlight case studies relevant to airport retail, digital transformation, or service excellence.
Client-Product Fit Note
Please share your client’s website to refine the buyer list. For example:
- If your client sells biometric security systems, prioritize airports and airlines modernizing border checks.
- If your client offers airport retail analytics software, target concessionaires and airport commercial directors.
- If your client provides sustainable infrastructure solutions, focus on environmental officers and airport sustainability teams.
Final Recommendation
This event is ideal for B2B companies targeting large-scale airport transformations. The audience includes high-spending decision-makers, making it a prime opportunity to generate leads in aviation technology, passenger services, and infrastructure sectors.
Data sheet
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Airport Experience Conference |
| Event Date | March 14–17, 2027 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Gaylord Pacific |
| City | San Diego |
| State / Region | California |
| Country | United States |
| Organizer | Official organizer not fully verified in the provided brief; event is associated with the Airport Experience Conference brand |
| Official Event Website | airportexperience.org (official site to verify current edition details) |
| Event Type | Conference / industry summit / networking event for airport experience, concessions, technology, and passenger services |
| Primary Category | Travel & Tourism |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Hospitality; Logistics & Transportation; IT & Technology; Business Services |
| Audience Reach | Global, with strong North American airport and travel-services participation |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium for event positioning; low for numeric attendance until an official registration or post-event report is published |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect airport operators, concessionaires, passenger-experience specialists, technology providers, and aviation stakeholders focused on improving terminal experience and commercial performance |
Airport Experience Conference is a niche but commercially important gathering centered on the airport passenger journey, terminal commerce, customer experience, and operational innovation. It brings together airport executives, concession operators, airlines, technology vendors, hospitality providers, and service contractors that shape how travelers move through terminals, consume services, and engage with airport brands.
The event matters because airports are increasingly treated as retail, hospitality, and digital experience ecosystems, not just transportation infrastructure. That makes the conference relevant for sourcing, procurement, partnerships, retail program development, passenger services, operations, and technology modernization across airport authorities, airport tenants, and supporting vendors.
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport leadership | Airport authorities, airport operators, terminal management teams | Decision-makers for terminal upgrades, passenger services, and concessions | High-value target for CX, facilities, concession, and infrastructure suppliers |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Airports, airport concession groups, airlines, and service providers | Vendor selection, RFPs, contract awards, and sourcing | Direct relevance for product, service, and technology suppliers |
| Concessions and retail teams | Airport retail operators, food & beverage operators, duty-free groups | Menu, store, merchandising, vendor, and concept decisions | Strong for retail, foodservice, fixtures, and merchandising vendors |
| Passenger experience / CX leaders | Airports, airlines, hospitality operators, airport service firms | Experience design, service quality, digital journey improvements | Ideal for CX platforms, kiosks, signage, and feedback tools |
| Operations leaders | Airport operations, terminal operations, landside/airside teams | Operational continuity, process efficiency, service standards | Relevant for workflow, staffing, and service automation vendors |
| Technology leaders | Airport IT, airline IT, travel tech, systems integrators | Digital transformation, integrations, security, analytics | Strong fit for software, data, cybersecurity, and integration vendors |
| Facilities and maintenance teams | Airport facilities, engineering, maintenance contractors | Terminal upkeep, asset management, service contracting | Relevant for FM, janitorial, signage, flooring, and equipment suppliers |
| Airline commercial teams | Network airlines, low-cost carriers, regional carriers | Ancillary revenue, customer service, airport relationships | Relevant for passenger services, media, retail, and travel-tech suppliers |
| Government and regulatory stakeholders | Airport commissions, transportation authorities, security and customs stakeholders | Standards, compliance, funding, policy, and procurement influence | Important for compliance-driven, security, and infrastructure vendors |
| Consultants and investors | Aviation consultants, advisory firms, airport investment groups | Influence on sourcing strategy, transformation, and capital planning | Useful for partnerships, market intelligence, and pipeline building |
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city | San Diego area airport, hospitality, and transportation stakeholders | High | Convenient for West Coast and Southwest decision-makers |
| Host state / region | California airport systems, airline offices, hospitality groups, concession teams | High | Strong regional concentration of travel, tech, and airport commerce |
| Nearby business hubs | Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco Bay Area | High | Likely source markets for suppliers and airport operators |
| National reach | U.S. airports, airlines, concessionaires, vendors, consultants | Very High | Event fits national airport procurement and CX audiences |
| International reach | Airport experience, duty-free, concessions, and travel-tech stakeholders from global hubs | Medium | Global participation is plausible, but current-year composition is not publicly confirmed |
| Trade corridor relevance | West Coast passenger traffic, Pacific gateway operations, cross-border travel infrastructure | Medium to High | Relevant for airport commerce, logistics, and passenger services vendors |
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Primary classification | Airport experience, terminal retail, and passenger services are global categories with participation potential from airports, airlines, and vendors across multiple regions. |
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles World Airports | Airport operator | Major U.S. airport system with large passenger-experience and concession budgets | lawa.org | Director of Procurement, Airport Operations Director, Concessions Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Port Authority of New York and New Jersey | Airport authority | Large-scale airport infrastructure and customer-experience procurement | panynj.gov | Chief Procurement Officer, Director of Aviation, Contracting Officer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| San Diego County Regional Airport Authority | Airport authority | Local host-market buyer with direct interest in passenger experience and terminal services | san.org | Procurement Manager, Operations Director, Facilities Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Dallas Fort Worth International Airport | Airport operator | Large hub airport with concession, facilities, and technology buying needs | dfwairport.com | Vice President Procurement, Category Manager, Airport Technology Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport | Airport operator | High-volume airport with strong relevance for commercial services and passenger flow | atl.com | Director of Concessions, Procurement Lead, Operations Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Miami International Airport | Airport operator | International passenger mix supports retail, hospitality, and service contracting | miami-airport.com | Passenger Experience Director, Procurement Manager, Concessions Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| United Airlines | Airline | Airline buyer for airport services, customer-experience technology, and partner services | united.com | Director of Airport Operations, Procurement Manager, CX Program Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Delta Air Lines | Airline | Potential buyer for airport technology, passenger services, and airport partnerships | delta.com | Airport Experience Manager, Procurement Director, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Hudson Group | Travel retailer / concessionaire | Airport retail operator with buying influence across stores and traveler services | hudsonnews.com | Category Manager, Merchandising Director, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| SSP America | Airport foodservice operator | Airport dining and hospitality operator with sourcing and service requirements | ssp-america.com | Director of Procurement, Operations Manager, Food & Beverage Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Paradies Lagardère | Travel retailer / concessionaire | Major airport retail operator with purchasing and program-management needs | paradieslagardere.com | VP Procurement, Brand Partnerships Director, Merchandising Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Fraport USA | Airport concessions / developer | Airport commercial program operator with tenant and experience priorities | fraport-usa.com | Business Development Director, Procurement Manager, Concessions Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| OTG Management | Airport hospitality / foodservice operator | Airport dining and hospitality buyer with strong technology and supply needs | otgexp.com | Operations Director, Procurement Lead, Innovation Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| American Airlines | Airline | Large airline with airport-facing operational and customer-experience buying needs | aa.com | Director of Airport Services, Procurement Manager, CX Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / Head of Procurement | Procurement | C-level / VP | Owns sourcing strategy, supplier selection, and major contracts |
| 2 | Director of Concessions / Commercial Programs | Commercial / Concessions | Director | Drives airport retail, dining, and passenger-service revenue |
| 3 | Airport Operations Director | Operations | Director / VP | Influences vendor decisions affecting terminal flow and service quality |
| 4 | Facilities Director / Facility Manager | Facilities | Director / Manager | Responsible for upkeep, capital planning, and service contractors |
| 5 | Director of Passenger Experience / Customer Experience | CX / Experience Design | Director / VP | Evaluates tools and services that improve the traveler journey |
| 6 | IT Director / CTO / CIO | Information Technology | Director / Executive | Owns airport systems, integrations, analytics, and cybersecurity |
| 7 | Category Manager / Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement | Manager | Handles vendor comparisons, RFPs, and commercial negotiations |
| 8 | Merchandising Director / Retail Operations Leader | Retail / Commercial | Director / VP | Relevant for travel retail and airport store program suppliers |
| 9 | Program Manager / Project Manager | Program Management | Manager | Coordinates implementations, pilots, and cross-functional vendor rollouts |
| 10 | Supplier Diversity Manager / Small Business Liaison Officer | Supplier Diversity / Procurement | Manager / Director | Important for certified suppliers and public-sector contract pathways |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airlines/Aviation | Core event audience with airport-facing buying needs | Airport services, technology, and passenger-experience solutions |
| 2 | Hospitality | Relevant for airport dining, lounges, and guest services | Foodservice, CX, cleaning, and guest service vendors |
| 3 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Airport operations rely on time-sensitive supply coordination | Supply, warehousing, and delivery optimization offerings |
| 4 | Retail | Airport concessions and travel retail are a major theme | Merchandising, POS, retail tech, and brand partnerships |
| 5 | Information Technology & Services | Digital passenger experience and systems integration are key topics | CX platforms, analytics, integration, and kiosk technology |
| 6 | Facilities Services | Airports need maintenance, janitorial, and service contractors | Facility management and outsourced service providers |
| 7 | Government Administration | Airport authorities and public-sector bodies influence procurement | Public procurement, grants, and compliance-driven sales |
| 8 | Environmental Services | Sustainability and waste reduction are common airport priorities | Waste, recycling, ESG reporting, and energy efficiency solutions |
| 9 | Security & Investigations | Airport environments require security, access control, and screening support | Security tech, screening, and identity solutions |
| 10 | Consumer Goods | Airport retail and concessions buy consumer-facing products | Travel retail product placement and distribution |
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | No official current-year attendance figure found in the provided brief | Use as a lead-gen event, but do not rely on volume estimates without organizer data |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official exhibitor list not provided in the available reference | Verify on organizer site if used for sales prioritization |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | No organizer-published buyer total found in the supplied content | Buyer concentration is inferred from event theme |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Current agenda not provided in the brief | Useful to verify once the 2027 agenda is live |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Sponsor roster not included in supplied materials | Potential indicator of commercial maturity once published |
| Historical attendance | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Prior-year official attendance data not supplied | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger experience | Improve traveler satisfaction and reduce friction | Demo tools for wayfinding, service recovery, and feedback | CX software, kiosks, signage, analytics |
| Concessions / retail | Increase sales and optimize tenant performance | Target category managers and commercial teams | Retail tech, merchandising, POS, foodservice services |
| Operations | Streamline terminal operations and staffing | Pitch workflow automation and service optimization | Scheduling, operations software, managed services |
| Technology | Integrate systems and support digital transformation | Meet CIO/CTO, IT, and innovation leaders | Cloud, API integration, data, cybersecurity, mobile apps |
| Facilities and maintenance | Maintain assets and reduce downtime | Target facilities and engineering decision-makers | FM services, maintenance, cleaning, asset tools |
| Sustainability | Reduce waste, improve energy use, meet ESG goals | Offer measurable environmental and cost-saving value | Waste, recycling, energy, ESG reporting tools |
| Security and compliance | Protect travelers, assets, and data | Engage public-sector and airport security teams | Access control, screening, identity, cybersecurity |
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is centered on airport operators, concessionaires, and traveler-experience decision-makers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely to attract senior airport, airline, and concession leadership, though exact attendee mix is not publicly confirmed. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Good prospecting value even without a confirmed attendee list; stronger if exhibitor/speaker roster is published. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear fit for aviation, hospitality, government, logistics, retail, and IT filters. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Useful for West Coast, national U.S., and global airport and travel vertical targeting. |
| Best outreach approach | Consultative | Lead with operational value, traveler-experience outcomes, procurement efficiency, and measurable ROI. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong event for B2B attendee list building in aviation, airport services, and travel commerce. |
| Best use case | Lead generation | Best for outreach to airport, airline, concession, CX, facilities, and tech buyers. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Current-year attendance list, exhibitor list, and verified attendance figures are not publicly confirmed in the provided materials. |
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Airlines/Aviation; Hospitality; Logistics & Supply Chain; Retail; Information Technology & Services; Government Administration; Facilities Services; Environmental Services; Security & Investigations; Consumer Goods | Focus on airport, airline, concessions, and service-buying organizations |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; IT; Facilities; Commercial; Customer Experience; Supply Chain; Finance; Innovation | Reach the functions most likely to influence vendor selection |
| Seniority | Manager; Director; VP; CXO; Head; Owner (for smaller concession operators) | Prioritize decision-makers and budget holders |
| Job titles | Chief Procurement Officer; VP Procurement; Director of Procurement; Strategic Sourcing Manager; Category Manager; Airport Operations Director; Concessions Director; Facilities Director; CIO; CTO; IT Director; Customer Experience Director; Program Manager | Capture the roles most likely to own buying decisions or influence them |
| Geography | United States; California; West Coast; major metro airport markets; select international hubs if relevant | Align outbound with the event’s travel and airport commercial footprint |
| Employee size | 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,001+ | Covers concession operators, airport authorities, airlines, and technology vendors |
| Keywords | airport, terminal, concessions, passenger experience, travel retail, lounge, biometrics, wayfinding, airport operations, procurement, sourcing, customer experience, foodservice | Refine prospecting to event-relevant accounts and roles |
| Company type | Public sector; enterprise; airport authority; airline; concessionaire; hospitality operator; travel retailer | Separate buyers from pure vendors and enhance relevance |
| Technologies | CX platforms; POS; digital signage; access control; analytics; mobile apps; integration platforms; cybersecurity | Target technology-adopting buyers and modernization projects |
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Experience Conference official website | Official organizer / event site | Event brand, positioning, and the appropriate official source for current edition verification | High |
| Gaylord Pacific official venue website | Venue website | Venue identity and location context for event logistics | High |
| Provided event brief / prior-year description | User-supplied reference | Event theme, target audience categories, and market relevance | Medium |
| Organizer-published attendee / exhibitor / speaker / sponsor materials | Event directory / agenda / prospectus | Would verify current-year participants, counts, and speaking organizations if published | Not available in provided materials |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Airport Experience Conference — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.