With more than 550 attendees and 120 exhibit booths representing well over 100 companies, the 2009 IFSA Annual Conference & Exhibition was a great success. Attendees enjoyed enlightening presentations from Mr. Daryl Krause, Senior Vice President of Customer Services for Southwest Airlines Co., Ms. Lauri Curtis, Vice President, Onboard Service for American Airlines, and Ken Chase, Wine Consultant to American Airlines. Association updates were also provided by Ken Samara, President of IFSA and David Young, President of ITCA. In addition to informative speakers, attendees were witness to the first-ever IFSA Annual Conference & Exhibition Chefs’ Competition. Topped by a bustling exhibit floor filled with new and intriguing products, the 2009 IFSA Annual Conference & Exhibition was an event filled to the brim with excitement and productivity.

Take a closer look at Conference highlights:

Education and General Sessions

Lauri Curtis, Vice President, Onboard Service at American Airlines, outlined a number of internal changes that American was making to streamline its operations and save money.  Changes to their inflight services include outfitting the entire fleet of MD-80s with wireless internet service, and new wine glasses and chinaware.  In addition, American has recently entered into an agreement with Boston Market to offer their sandwiches and salads for purchase on flights of more than three hours.  On the ground, the airline has incorporated an electronic marshalling system which will guide aircraft to the gate during thunderstorms while keeping employees safe.

Daryl Krause, Senior Vice President of Customer Services at the Dallas based carrier Southwest Airlines, outlined the airlines 40-plus years of consistently profitable operations that has overcome significant hurdles. Krause acknowledged that Southwest’s employees are the brands “best ambassadors”, noting that “Happy Employees = Happy Customers” and “Happy Customers = Happy Shareholders”.

Although expanded food service may not be a current priority for Southwest, customer experience is. Southwest Airlines began trials for inflight Internet service earlier this year with plans to equip more aircraft with the service in 2010.

Ken Chase, Wine Consultant to American Airlines, led an eager group of attendees in a morning session of “Wine Aerobics”.  All in attendance tasted their way through an array of reds and whites, with Ken Chase teaching them the telltale signs of a good wine pairing with food. Mixed with entertaining stories, Chase taught tasting techniques that he guaranteed would make you the life of the party.

IFSA President, Ken Samara, announced IFSA has embarked upon several strategic initiatives crucial to future success of the Association, based on member feedback and the changing environment. He stated, "the Board continues to pursue open dialogue with all industry partners with the goal to align industry activities to better serve membership needs and maximize benefits." In a member communication sent after Mr. Samara’s speech, the following was noted, in part:

IFSA will co-locate its 2010 Annual Conference & Exhibition along side two industry partners; World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) and Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) Americas in Long Beach, California September 14-16, 2010. This strategic alignment of industry organization events will maintain the integrity of the individual programs while broadening opportunities for attendees and exhibitors in one convenient setting. The co-location will provide a strong, cohesive event for our shared members (combined IFSA and WAEA represent more than 100 airlines) and is expected to result in increased attendance and traffic, additional exhibitors, and greater efficiencies than any of the shows could achieve individually.

And, as a natural extension to our AIX relationship, IFSA has the opportunity to co-brand the Inflight Services Zone at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) held in Hamburg, Germany in May 2010.  We see this as an excellent opportunity to further strengthen our relationships with our members during this event. As a member of IFSA, first-time exhibitors in Hamburg will benefit from reduced rates to exhibit. The IFSA/AIX Inflight Services Zone is 100% designed for the Inflight Services Industry and attracts key buyers from more than 190 of the world’s major airlines.

Exhibition Extravaganza

• More than 75 exhibitors representing more than 100 companies and occupying more than 120 exhibit booths had the opportunity to meet with 550+ attendees during the 2-day Exhibition!
• Attendees represented an array of member companies including more than 30 airlines, 20 catering companies and 144 different suppliers offering a wide variety of products, services and purchasing opportunities.
• Competing chefs showcased their talents in the first-ever IFSA Annual Conference & Exhibition Chefs’ Competition. After competing in an “Iron Chef” type competition at the Gate Gourmet catering kitchen at DFW, competitors prepared and displayed their creations to an enthused audience.  The winner of the 2009 IFSA Annual Conference Chefs’ Competition was Chef Moe Nicholas Elmaher, Product Development Executive Chef at Gate Gourmet.  Chef Moe joins a very prestigious list of winners from similar IFSA Chefs’ Competitions from all around the world. Congratulations Chef Moe! 
• Congratulations are also extended to Harvey Alpert & Company who was awarded “Best of Show” for their well-designed booth.

IFSA President’s Award

IFSA presented its annual President’s Award to Siegfried Lang, Managing Director of Food and Beverage Planning at Continental Airlines. Mr. Lang was selected for the honor from a field of four nominees. Nominated for his visionary inspiration and culinary talents, Lang has demonstrated excellence and has always strived to provide trend setting innovations while demonstrating his dedication and contribution to consistency and quality. The measurement of benefit of his work has been proven by the accolades Continental Airlines has achieved throughout this difficult economy.

The 2009 inductees into the President’s Roll of Honor are:

Tom Douramakos, GuestLogix
Bob Templin, LSG Sky Chefs
Andrew Trabosh, LSG Sky Chefs

Congratulations to all of you. And thank you for your commitment and contributions
to the in-flight industry.

IFSA Foundation Scholarships

The Harvey and Laura Alpert Scholarship

Emily Smith, Michigan State University

The $5000 award was developed in 2006 to provide an opportunity for a student involved in the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University, Mr. Alpert’s Alma Mater. The award is based on scholastic merit and dedication to pursuing a career in onboard services operations.

The Lois Campbell Scholarship Award

Samantha Frazier, University of Central Florida

This award was created in 2008 to honor the memory of Lois Campbell. Underwritten by Authentic Italian Products, the scholarship is granted to an individual based on scholastic merit and dedication to pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. The recipient is either a cancer survivor or has lost an immediate family member to cancer.

The Tommy DePaola Scholarship Award

Vanessa Tanicien, Boston University

This award was created this year in the memory of Tommy DePaola and is awarded to an individual based on scholastic merit and dedication to pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. The recipient of this award is also either a cancer survivor or has lost an immediate family member to cancer.

2009-2010 IFSA Board of Directors

The newly elected 2009 – 2010 IFSA Board of Directors was announced at the Annual Conference and Exhibition, and the following members are your current Officers and Directors.

IFSA Officers:

Vicky Stennes, JetBlue Airways – President
David Loft, Flying Food Group – Vice President
Pam Suder Smith, Pourshins, Inc. – Treasurer
Simon Soni, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Ltd. – Secretary
Ken Samara, AMI Inflight, Inc. - Chairman

Directors are:

Jane Bernier-Tran, Continental Airlines
Bob Blackburn, LSG Sky Chefs
Heather Cho, Korean Air
Angie Dahman, Bunzl Distribution, Inc.
Greg Hughes, Gate Gourmet
Allen Lainez, Copa Airlines
Hideo Miyabe, TFK Corporation
Mark O’Sullivan, Michael J. Devine & Associates
Paul Platamone, Harvey Alpert & Company
John Tiliacos, American Airlines
Jamie Arturo Viola, Philippine Airlines

The Board would like to thank the outgoing Board members for their dedication to the success and growth of the International Flight Services Association:

John Boettcher, American Airlines
Pat Berkelbaugh, LSG Sky Chefs
Dave Campbell, Strictly from Scratch
J.C. Cook, Delta Air Lines
Sandra Pineau, Continental Airlines

Social Networking/Fun Night

Attendees took a ride on the wild side as they attempted to stay on the mechanical bull for a full eight seconds. Along with great music from the Chris Rivers Band, Gilley’s Dallas welcomed IFSA and entertained guests with armadillo racing, pool tables, arcade games and much more. Topped off with a mile-long Texas style buffet filled with wonderful products from IFSA member companies the IFSA Annual Social Networking/Fun Night was a great event.

Other Social Networking

Among the other quality events, IFSA attendees enjoyed nightly social networking events that allowed for mixing and mingling with old and new customers alike. These highly attended events offered a perfect setting to relax from the busy tradeshow floor and allowed for some great conversation among friends.

Thank you to the 2009 Annual Conference Planning Committee:

Jim Armstrong, Chair, Continental Airlines
Kimberly Guanci, Co-Chair, Campione D’Italia Foods, LLC
Dan Day, Past Chair, AMI Inflight, Inc.
Bob Blackburn, LSG Sky Chefs
David Colella, Harvey Alpert & Company
Mike Fishburn, British Airways
Cindy Hutchison, Delta Air Lines
Ernst Walder, Gate Gourmet
John Boettcher, Board Liaison, American Airlines
Dave Campbell, Board Liaison, Strictly From Scratch
Angie Dahman, Board Liaison, Bunzl Distribution, Inc.

We look forward to seeing you again in Long Beach, CA for the 2010 Annual Conference and Exhibition*, to be held Tuesday, September 14 – Thursday, September 16.

*This event will be a co-location along with Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas and the World Airline Entertainment Association.