ON 12 April 2011 Airport Cluster Finland is hosting the second annual international airport and aviation seminar. Last year’s inaugural event attracted over 70 international attendees.
“We have three main topics,” says Airport Cluster Manager Mikko Sjöberg. “They are future requirements for airports, airport concepts and passenger flows. These are very hot topics right now. For instance, with all the security requirements the flow of passengers is in everyone’s minds.”
The list of speakers includes architects, business executives, politicians and industry experts. Uponor’s CEO Jyri Luomakoski will talk about frequent flyer experiences. Vantaa’s Deputy Mayor Martti Lipponen will discuss the Aviapolis concept. Lars Thögersen from CHP Design will give a speech about new technologies, design and solutions.
“We have some very distinguished speakers from both inside and outside of Finland,” Sjöberg continues. “For instance, we have Christoph Nanke from Fraport AG. They own and operate airports all over the world.”
Sjöberg points out that another hot topic is the future development of airports. He says that funding through commercial premises will be discussed, as well as how to improve the dissemination of information to passengers.
In addition to the seminar the event includes an extensive exhibition area at the Hilton Helsinki Airport Hotel. The exhibitors include a broad range of companies, from the maker of aircraft hanger doors Champion Door to Obelux, which creates LED lights to warn planes of obstacles. The exhibition will give participants the chance to network with each other and learn more about Airport Cluster Finland.
“I’ll be at our booth,” says Olivier Bonfils, Senior Business Advisor at Greater Helsinki Promotion. “I’m looking forward to setting meetings with all these different companies and explaining how we can help them with new international projects or products. There are many potential things to do in the cluster.”
