Five Reasons I’m Excited for the ACI-NA Annual Conference

Later this month the who’s who of the airport industry will gather in Fort Worth, Texas for the 2017 ACI-NA Annual Conference & Exhibition. Here at Boingo, we’re excited to saddle up and join the 200+ airports attending to talk trends, emerging technologies and new products. There’ll be plenty to see at the show, but here’s a quick outlook of what we’re looking forward to most.

1. It’s All About the Networking

By far our favorite thing to do at the annual conference is to catch up with our airport partners. From LAX to JFK and everywhere in between, nothing beats meeting face-to-face with airport execs to catch up on technology strategies and how they are impacting the passenger journey. ACI-NA’s members enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. With numbers like this, it’s certainly the place to be to increase your professional network. And if you have a pressing question, there’s no doubt there will be an expert on-hand who can help. There’s also a few roundtable sessions that our customers will be participating in that I plan to attend. I always like to take advantage of hearing their point of view on important topics and trends.

2. Meetings & Workshops

Professional development and learning about new industry trends and standards are among the conference’s many benefits. This year’s agenda spans technology workshops, environmental and legal affairs sessions, marketing and communications breakouts and more. I’ve marked many of the passenger experience sessions on my schedule as this is always a priority focus at Boingo.
To plan out your ACI schedule, visit the conference agenda.

3. Wireless Trends

I look forward to zeroing in on the latest wireless trends and talking with airports about new technologies that are improving the traveler experience, while simultaneously creating new revenue streams. Wi-Fi offload, Passpoint, Mobile Passport, cellular Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), and the Internet of Things (IoT) are expected to be the hottest wireless topics this year.

Wi-Fi offload and Passpoint technologies seamlessly move passengers from cellular to Wi-Fi connections in an airport, alleviating domestic and international roaming fees for passengers. Airports are increasingly adopting these Wi-Fi solutions as it opens monetization opportunities through carrier agreements. On the cellular side, DAS networks are finding a home in major airports to boost coverage and complement Wi-Fi connectivity.

Mobile Passport has expanded to 24 airports and is quickly becoming a game changer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s facilitation of passengers. The app was developed by ACI-NA and Airside Mobile and is sure to be a conference touchpoint. Airports are also expected to look at how the dawn of IoT will impact operational strategies. In the future, ground operations, security checkpoints, runway monitoring, baggage handling and building management are all among the functions that will be transformed through a network of internet-connected objects that rely on embedded sensors to collect and exchange data.

4. New Technologies on the Exhibition Floor

There’s been an explosion of technology everywhere we turn. While adapting to this changing landscape is key for airports, discerning the appropriate technology for a venue’s needs is equally important—and daunting. The ACI-NA show floor is a great one stop shop to see the latest in technology and stay informed on key developments.

5. Experiencing the Lone Star State’s City of Cowboys

Any trip to Fort Worth must include stops at its culinary treasures. Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House is on my hit list, along with Grace restaurant, where Boingo will be hosting its annual ACI dinner. If you’re looking for an adventure, the Fort Worth Stock Yards offer sights and sounds of the Old West.

As we head to Texas, we also cannot overlook the fact that Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc throughout the state. The city of Fort Worth is actively engaged in supporting relief efforts and you can learn more about helping those affected by visiting fortworthtexas.gov. The New York Times has also outlined ways you can support local organizations.

Can’t wait to see everyone at the show.

Danielle Aiello is vice president, account management at Boingo Wireless, where she oversees relationships with the company’s airport portfolio. She can be contacted at [email protected].