The organisers behind World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) have released the first look at this year’s Taste of Travel theatre programme, and as one might expect, sustainability is set to be one of the key themes. Visitors to the event, taking place in Hamburg Messe on 6-8 June, can watch the presentations free of charge, with the various sessions touching on topics such as circularity, the challenges of international cabin waste, and the importance that being a sustainable company plays in recruitment and staff retention.
Industry experts will take to the stage over the three days of WTCE, entertaining and informing visitors with panel discussions, insights and practical advice for improving sustainability – and the popular live cookery demonstrations and tastings.
Day one of the event will see a session on ‘Innovating Supply Chains – How to Overcome Barriers to Embrace Circularity’ explore the issue of cabin waste. Founding member of the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF), Matt Crane, will moderate the discussion, looking at how to take the first step towards significantly reducing inflight waste and improving circularity. The ASF will convene experts from beyond the aviation sector to discuss how they have driven change across their respective supply chains, navigated complex regulatory environments with success, and how other industries – including aviation – can follow suit.
The complexity of dealing with waste and improving circularity is an issue that also greatly affects rail travel. For example, the rules and regulations on sustainability and waste differ in every country where trains travel. Day two of WTCE will see Roger Williams of International Rail Catering Group (IRCG) lead a session titled ‘The Challenges of Catering on Trains Across Borders.’
Another sustainability highlight comes on the afternoon session on day two, titled ‘Is Sustainability Increasingly Relevant in Recruiting and Retaining Talent?. Panellists drawn from industry roles in HR, executive search and recruitment will discuss the shifts in the workplace and job markets driven by a growing focus on sustainability. There is a growing demand for talent who can drive the changes that are essential to support a revised company strategy to help achieve net-zero targets, and the panel will share insights into the key roles in managing sustainable priorities.
The third and final day of WTCE will bring together seven of the industry’s leading amenity and comfort suppliers for a fun and interactive session at the Taste of Travel Theatre, where they will present their latest designs, creations, and sustainable materials.
The Taste of Travel programme will also feature a wide selection of other sessions, tapping into the key themes highlighted across the show floor, including wellbeing onboard and creating memorable experiences. Details of these sessions will be released in the coming weeks.
WTCE event director, Polly Magraw, said of the lineup: “The Taste of Travel programme is always a highlight of WTCE as it brings about lively discussion and sees the industry come together to collaborate on major issues and share ideas on how to move forward. This year will see the sessions tie into the event’s key themes of sustainability, wellbeing and creating memorable experiences. It is vital that the travel sector does its part to meet consumers’ sustainability expectations, which will not only enhance the passenger experience but can also help to build brand loyalty. From the food served onboard and the utensils alongside it, to packaging used for amenity kits and onboard entertainment, there are a myriad of factors to consider, and this year’s Taste of Travel sessions will be geared towards giving the industry the tools they need to meet their sustainability targets.”
For further information or to register for the event, visit https://www.worldtravelcateringexpo.com/
