Airport Industry Innovation Conference
21 – 22 October · CCH Hamburg

Where Innovation
Takes Off.

To mark its 10th anniversary, GATE FUTURE – the Airport Industry Innovation Conference – builds on a decade of ideas, progress, and collaboration in the airport industry. In Hamburg, one of the world's largest civil aviation hubs, GATE FUTURE brings together technology pioneers and operational experts to explore the strategies, partnerships, and solutions shaping the airports of tomorrow.

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Countdown to GATE FUTURE 2026
21 October 2026 · CCH Hamburg
167
Days
:
20
Hours
:
29
Minutes
:
28
Seconds
10 Years
Anniversary Edition
12+
Practical Workshops
2
Days of Innovation
350+
Participants
About the Conference

Where Innovation Meets the Future of Airports 

As airports worldwide face growing pressure to increase efficiency, accelerate innovation, and meet rising passenger expectations, GATE FUTURE provides a platform for the professionals shaping this transformation.

This year, against a backdrop of global disruption and increasing volatility, we ask: how do airports build resilience? How do they remain adaptive? How do they stay ready – for whatever comes next? And how do they ensure that passenger convenience is not lost along the way?

A curated programme of keynotes, panel discussions and workshops brings the spirit of innovation to life, turning ideas into practical approaches and actionable insights.

View Programme
GATE FUTURE panel discussion GATE FUTURE venue flags GATE FUTURE networking evening
10
Years of
Innovation
Airport Participants

Trusted by Leading Airports

Matarat Holding
Fraport
Hamburg Airport
Zurich Airport
BER
Vienna Airport
Bremen Airport
Munich Airport
Köln Bonn Airport
Matarat Holding
Fraport
Hamburg Airport
Zurich Airport
BER
Vienna Airport
Bremen Airport
Munich Airport
Köln Bonn Airport
Keynote Speakers

Voices That Shape Aviation

Stefan Schulte
01

Stefan Schulte

CEO, Fraport AG

Offering strategic insights into the future of airports and aviation – one of Europe's most influential airport executives speaks to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Coralie Klaus Boecker
02

Coralie Klaus Boecker

Head ZRH Innovation Hub

Leading the Innovation Hub at Zurich Airport, where her team explores how emerging technologies and new ways of working can drive collaboration, efficiency and customer experience – combining strategic thinking with practical, people-centred implementation.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Hotes
03

Prof. Dr. Andreas Hotes

Head of Department Airline Management & Aviation Security · TH Wildau

Bridging academia and industry – Andreas leads TH Wildau’s Airline Management & Aviation Security department, with research focused on airport planning, capacity simulation and aviation security.

Eddie Edwards
04

Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards

Olympic Athlete & Motivational Speaker

Sharing the inspiring story of his dream of flying and the remarkable journey that turned ambition into reality – a reminder that the sky is never the limit.

Partner & Sponsoring

Become a Partner
of GATE FUTURE

Position your company as a driver of aviation innovation. GATE FUTURE unites 350+ senior decision-makers, airport executives and technology leaders – giving your brand direct access to the people shaping tomorrow's airports.

View Sponsorship Packages →
Participants
350+ Senior Decision-Makers
Packages
From €2,500
Custom Options
Tailored Solutions Available
Workshop Sessions

Hands-On with Industry & Airports

Curated, practitioner-led sessions where technology partners and airports tackle real operational challenges together – from AI-driven ground operations to passenger well-being and sustainable equipment pooling.

90 min · Workshop

Reimagining Airport Operations with EDAG CityBot

Airport Partner Fraport Ground Services Frankfurt, Germany

Holistic engineering – from product to high-end digital twins. Where the modular CityBot platform meets airport realities, with a case study from Fraport.

Contributing Speakers
  • Makso Zabarac – Senior Sales Manager, EDAG
  • Jörg Gehrmann – VP Sales, EDAG
  • Gerhard Koerbel – Product Owner CityBot, EDAG
  • Eric Agthe – Fraport Ground Services
60 min · Workshop

Flow Control – ULD & Cart Logistics Goes Digital

Airport Partner London Heathrow London, UK

A new digital platform – think "Uber for ground handlers" – co-developed with Heathrow and tested live this autumn. Replacing WhatsApp and Excel with a real-time interface between baggage and fleet management systems.

Contributing Speakers
  • Jamie Ratcliffe – Senior Baggage Product Development Manager, Heathrow Airport
  • Dennis Dalman – Innovations Manager, BEUMER Group
60 min · Workshop

AI for Complete Ground Handling Data

Airport Partner Fraport (TBC) Frankfurt, Germany

Small Language Models that synthesise missing timestamps in ground handling – a real data-quality problem that affects analysis, staffing and downstream AI at every airport.

Contributing Speakers
  • Tobias Keßler – Head of Operations Process Digitalization & Automation, Atos
  • Marius Kiskemper – Data Engineer, SLM, Atos
  • Dennis Stein – VP Logistics, Fraport (TBC)
  • Anne-Marie Bachmann – IT Delivery Manager AI, Fraport (TBC)
60 min · Workshop

Airport Lighting for Passenger Well-Being

Airport Partner Dortmund Airport 21 Dortmund, Germany

The Chronolite approach: adaptive, science-based lighting across the full passenger journey – terminal to aircraft – to reduce stress and jet lag, and turn lighting from infrastructure into a strategic experience tool.

Contributing Speakers
  • Dr. Achim Leder – Managing Partner, jetlite GmbH
  • Guido Miletic – Dortmund Airport 21 (TBC)
90 min · Workshop

AI in the Mid-Market – Europe's AI Moment for Airports

Format Industry-led Open to all airport teams

Beyond the vision: a five-step framework for operationalising AI in complex, regulated organisations. Featuring the Lenze transformation as a working case study, plus a guided self-assessment for participants.

Contributing Speakers
  • Annekatrin Konermann – Manager AI & Implementation, Lenze
  • Dr. Moritz Belling – Family Shareholder, Lenze
60 min · Workshop

Making GSE Pooling a Success

Airport Partner Düsseldorf Airport Düsseldorf, Germany

Sharing ground support equipment across handlers – transparently and reliably. A first-hand look at the centralised non-motorised pool at Düsseldorf with 700+ units, SmartFLEET telematics, and the trust framework that makes it work.

Contributing Speakers
  • Wolfgang Fasching – Head of Commercials, HiSERV
  • Speaker (TBA) – Düsseldorf Airport
Call for Workshops

Present Your Solution or Research at GATE FUTURE 2026

Got a workshop idea that pushes airports forward? Submit your proposal and join the line-up. Currently open to GATE Members only.

Submit proposal
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Conference Format

Three Ways to Engage

01
Keynotes

Visionary addresses that deliver fresh perspectives on the forces transforming aviation and airport operations – from leading CEOs and industry pioneers.

02
Panel Discussions

Forward-looking conversations spotlighting the most pressing questions shaping the airport industry – with expert voices from across the sector.

03
Workshops

More than 12 highly practical sessions where airports and technology partners present solutions together – real challenges, concrete applications, collaborative innovation.

Industry Partners

Technology Leaders & Innovators

BEUMER Group
Airbus
Deutsche Bahn
Amazon Web Services
SICK AG
MOIA
Lufthansa Technik
SEW-EURODRIVE
E.ON Drive
SITA
Fraunhofer IML
GH
TÜV SÜD
BEUMER Group
Airbus
Deutsche Bahn
Amazon Web Services
SICK AG
MOIA
Lufthansa Technik
SEW-EURODRIVE
E.ON Drive
SITA
Fraunhofer IML
GH
TÜV SÜD
Community

Voices from the GATE FUTURE Community

Patricia Vasconcelos
Patricia Vasconcelos
CEO · Cobus Industries

"Networking and the speed we're seeing – we really need to work together, test together, advance development together. In the end, it's networking and team sport."

Cobus Industries
Marlene Gieczinski
Marlene Gieczinski
Project Manager Airport · PSI Logistics

"The goal is that everyone talks to each other, everyone sits at one table – because we face challenges that can only be solved together. That's the central factor of this event."

PSI Logistics
Wolfgang Scheibenpflug
Wolfgang Scheibenpflug
SVP Real Estate & Landside · Vienna Airport

"There was so much I could take with me and hopefully implement in the future."

Vienna Airport
Nicole Dreyer-Langlet
Nicole Dreyer-Langlet
VP Research & Technology · Airbus

"Every single measure counts, no matter how small. In the end, we need to achieve net zero by 2050 – we have to get there."

Airbus
Registration

Secure Your Ticket Now

Special Rate
Airport Professionals
2-Day Conference
EUR 290
Special rate for airport executives
Standard Tariff
External
2-Day Conference
Early Bird EUR 1.290 until 30 June 2026
Regular EUR 1.490 from 1 July 2026

* Not yet a member? Join the world's largest airport supplier network and unlock member pricing and much more. Learn about GATE membership →

All tickets include access to all sessions, congress materials, catering and networking events. All prices excluding VAT.

© Hamburg Messe und Congress / Autor
Venue

CCH – Congress Center Hamburg

21 – 22 October 2026 · Am Dammtor / Marseiller Str., Hamburg · One of Germany's premier congress venues, in the heart of Europe's civil aviation hub.

Venue & Hotels →
Date
21 – 22 October 2026
City
Hamburg, Germany
Venue
CCH Congress Center
Your Benefits

Why Join GATE FUTURE

GATE FUTURE is the leading platform for strategic decision-makers in the airport industry to prepare for tomorrow's challenges. Gain the insights and tools you need to position your organisation optimally.

Strategic Insights

Receive in-depth analyses and forecasts for informed decisions that future-proof your organisation.

Innovation Edge

Discover the latest AI applications, ESG strategies and digital tools to revolutionise your operations.

Exclusive Network

Meet industry leaders and peers to exchange best practices and forge valuable partnerships.

Adaptive Edge

Use the gained insights to boost efficiency, minimise risks and drive sustainable growth.

Hamburg · 21–22 October 2026

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Take Off?

Secure your place at the airport industry's premier innovation conference. Limited seats available.

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for GATE FUTURE 2026
21–22 October · CCH Hamburg
Early Bird until 30 June 2026.
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