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Airport Industry Innovation Conference
21 – 22 October · CCH Hamburg

Programme
Overview

Two days of keynotes, expert panel discussions and over 12 practical workshops – designed to inform, challenge, and connect the professionals shaping tomorrow's airports.

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.

Panel Discussions

Answers to the Key Questions Facing the Industry

Building Future Airports
Panel 01
Building Future Airports

Explore how the airports of tomorrow are being designed architecturally, developed strategically, and enabled through technology – from masterplanning to digital infrastructure.

Innovation Inside the Terminal
Panel 02
Innovation Inside the Terminal

A focus on digital services, emerging technologies, and the next generation of passenger experience – from AI-driven operations to seamless travel journeys.

Automation and Robotics
Panel 03
Automation and Robotics

From autonomous ground vehicles to robotic baggage handling – exploring how physical automation is reshaping airside and landside operations, and what it means for the workforce of tomorrow.

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
Swipe for more
More Workshop Themes – Open for Proposals
Topics where we're actively looking for partners to lead a session. Submit a proposal to claim a slot.
Sustainability & Net-Zero Infrastructure
Hydrogen & Alternative Fuels
Cyber Security for Airports
Electric Ground Vehicles
Dual-Use Airport Concepts
Digital Twin & Simulation
MRO & Maintenance Tech
Urban Air Mobility Integration

Call for Workshops: Want to present your solution or research at GATE FUTURE 2026? Submit your workshop proposal → Currently open to GATE Members only.

Schedule

Programme at a Glance

Day 1
21 October 2026
09:00
Arrival of guests
10:00–10:15
Welcome
10:15–11:00
Political address
11:00–11:30
Keynote
11:30–12:00
Panel
12:00–13:30
Lunch
13:30–15:00
Workshop session
15:00–15:30
Break
15:30–16:00
Keynote
16:00–16:30
Panel
16:30–17:00
Keynote
17:00–17:30
Closing
19:00–23:00
Evening event
Day 2
22 October 2026
08:30
Arrival of guests
09:00–09:15
Welcome / Wrap-up Day 1
09:15–10:00
Keynote
10:00–10:30
Panel
10:30–12:00
Workshop session
12:00–12:30
Closing
Afternoon
Side programme

The programme is subject to change – detailed session information, confirmed speakers and workshop assignments will be published as the event approaches.

Registration

Secure Your Ticket Now

Special Rate
Airport Professionals
2-Day Conference
EUR 290
Special rate for airport professionals
Member Tariff
GATE Members *
2-Day Conference
Early Bird EUR 790 until 30 June 2026
Regular EUR 990 from 1 July 2026
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. Learn about GATE membership →

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

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