Airport CEOs gather in Seoul, Korea: ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly

Seoul, 23 May 2014 – Over 800 aviation representatives, government officials, business and academic leaders, and other top industry professionals are meeting next week in Seoul, Korea from 26–28 May for the ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly to discuss the theme of Serving the customer and the community.

Over the two-day conference, delegates will hear from top airport and industry experts who will share their experience and knowledge through dynamic presentations and interactive panel discussions. Jointly organized by ACI World and ACI Asia-Pacific, and hosted by Incheon Airport, the conference will gather aviation experts from all five ACI geographical regions to reach solutions on mastering the art of leadership; achieving customer service excellence; reaching a sustainable balance between economic regulation and airport investment; learning best practices and emerging trends in ensuring the continuity of service; and finding strategies to facilitate growth and maximize revenues from air cargo.

The event features an exhibition that will bring together airports, service providers and aviation-related businesses to showcase their latest infrastructure developments, technologies, products and services. In addition, the exhibition hall will teem with educational workshops and special VIP events, providing excellent networking and learning opportunities. The social highlight occurs on the evening of Tuesday, 27 May with the Gala Dinner, which will feature special entertainment, as well as the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards and the Director General’s Roll of Excellence ceremonies.

Speakers and panellists at this year’s World Annual General Assembly include Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council, International Civil Aviation Organization; Declan Collier, Chief Executive Officer, London City Airport; Hong-Yeol Choi, Acting President & CEO, Incheon International Airport Corporation; Tan Sri Bashir, Managing Director, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad; Thomas Windmuller, Senior Vice President – Airport, Passenger and Cargo Services, International Air Transport Association; Kwang Soo Lee, CFO, Incheon International Airport Corporation; Jonathan Astill, Director International Affairs, NATS; Luc Partoune, Director General, Liège Airport; Mark Whitehead, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited; and many more.

“It is a sincere privilege for Incheon Airport to host the 2014 ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly, Conference & Exhibition in Seoul,” said Hong-Yeol Choi. “International air transport has experienced tremendous changes in recent years. This year’s event will present a clearer picture of these changes and may suggest better ways of mutual cooperation. We are confident that it will mark a solid step forward on our future co-operation and mutual growth.”

“I am delighted to welcome delegates from all over the world to the 9th ACI Asia-Pacific/ World Annual General Assembly” said Patti Chau, Regional Director, ACI Asia-Pacific. “This annual conference is an established event dedicated to addressing emerging and challenging topics in airport business. The industry has evolved in recent years, Asia-Pacific is now the region with the highest growth potential. Airports in the region are facing the challenge of managing growth, yet maintaining a high level of customer service. The theme for this year’s event—‘Serving the customer and the community’—is particularly appropriate as airports work to find new ways of competing on a global scale.”

“ACI World is pleased to partner this year with ACI Asia-Pacific for the 2014 ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly,” said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “Home to over 10 million people and a major economic and cultural centre, Seoul is a fitting venue for this year’s World Annual General Assembly. Incheon Airport, having serviced over 41 million passengers in 2013, is an equally appropriate host, exemplary of the exciting airport developments taking place in the Asia-Pacific region at large. We look forward to welcoming worldwide industry professionals as we explore ways in which airports can continue to better serve passengers and the community at large.”

The event is open to pre-registered, accredited press. Accredited press will have access to a working room including free wireless Internet access. For more information on the ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly, please visit http://www.aci-waga2014.com.

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1. The complete speaker/panellist line-up for the 2014 ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly is as follows:

2. Airports Council International, the only worldwide association of airports, has 591 member airport authorities, which operate 1,861 airports in 177 countries. ACI’s mission is to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations, and this mandate is carried out through the organization’s multiple training opportunities, as well as the customer service benchmarking programme, a wide range of conferences, industry statistical products and best practice publications.

Media contacts

Martine Ohayon
Director, Communications and Events
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1224
Email: mohayon@aci.aero

Ryan White
Manager, Communications
ACI World
Telephone: +1 514 373 1226
Email: rwhite@aci.aero

Vivian Fung
Manager, Communications
ACI Asia-Pacific
Telephone: +852 2989 8006
Email: vivian@aci-asiapac.aero

Bora LEE
Manager, Public Relations Team
Incheon International Airport Corporation
Telephone: +82-32-741-6844
Email: boralee@airport.kr