Future Travel Experience (FTE) is excited to announce that the Aviation & Robotics Summit will return to Pittsburgh on 14-16 May 2024, with Pittsburgh International Airport as the official Host Airport. This follows the huge success of the inaugural Summit in 2023, which attracted executives from more than 25 airlines and airports from across the world, as well as leading technologists and roboticists.
The FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit 2024 will bring together aviation and robotics industry professionals with the primary goal of solving aviation business and operational challenges with robotics solutions. The three-day interdisciplinary series of conference sessions, workshops, robotics innovation tours, and networking opportunities will take place across the city of Pittsburgh, which is known as the “Robotics Capital of the World”. The workshops will be hosted at the renowned Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) – one of the top robotics and computer science universities in the world.
To meet phenomenal demand for insights and learning in this realm, the 2024 event will be open to all industry executives with a definitive focus on robotics and AI – technologies which we are convinced will reimagine the aviation sector within the next five to 10 years.
Attendees representing an international array of airlines, airports, OEMs, government agencies and vendors, as well as local roboticists and entrepreneurs, will have the opportunity to share learnings, explore potential use cases, and help accelerate the adoption, deployment and commercialisation of robotics technologies to solve real-world challenges in the aviation industry.
There are a total of 100 complimentary tickets available for direct employees of Airports, Airlines, Aircraft Manufacturers and Government Agencies. While the official deadline to express your interest in securing one of these free tickets has now passed, we still encourage you to get in touch if you are interested in attending. Please note, we also have limited tickets available for Vendors/Suppliers. Further information can be found below.
Opening Keynote Announced
The Opening Keynote at the FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit will be delivered by Bernadette Berger, Director of Innovation, Alaska Airlines. Bernadette’s presentation will cover a variety of topics, including broader innovation themes, technologies to watch, developing new experiences, and big bets for the future.
Bernadette Berger is a futurist and an airplane nerd. As Alaska Airlines’ Director of Innovation, she is passionate about defining the future of flight. Bernadette leads Alaska’s Innovation initiatives to improve the guest experience and employee experience on the ground and in the sky. She is working to make Alaska Airlines the most accessible airline in the world. Before joining Alaska, she designed airplane architecture including the 787 and 777X and patented new technology to improve the travel experience.
Companies already registered to attend include:
Solving aviation-specific challenges
The Summit will bring together innovators from the aviation and robotics industries with the aim of solving challenges and delivering significant improvements in a variety of areas. Among the various aviation-specific areas of focus will be:
Baggage
handling
Airside
asset management
Aircraft
servicing
Workforce support
and enhancement
Passenger
Services
Airport Terminal
Operations
Interested in attending or sponsoring?
While we are moving away from an invite-only model and opening the Summit up to all industry executives with a definitive focus on robotics and AI, there will be a limited capacity of 250 attendees to ensure we can deliver the creative approach that we are aiming for, to build upon the highly-acclaimed launch event.
Priority will be given to senior executives who are engaged in exploring and/or deploying robotics solutions to solve aviation industry challenges. The Summit is designed to be as interactive as possible and therefore all attendees – including participants from airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, government agencies, vendors and suppliers – will be expected to play an active role in the workshops and tours during the three-day Summit.
There are also 12 exclusive sponsorship packages available for pioneering suppliers in this space, and we welcome enquiries in this regard (please contact us here for more information).
Capacity for this exclusive event is limited and there are a total of 250 tickets available for airports, airlines, OEMs, government agencies, vendors, suppliers and local roboticists. Please note, a small number of complimentary tickets are still available for executives who work for airports, airlines, government agencies and aircraft manufacturers. Please see the registration information below for further information.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact us today >>Provisional agenda and timings
Tuesday 14 May:
Taking place at Pittsburgh International Airport:
Throughout the day – Technology demonstrations across PIT
10:00-12:00 – FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub meeting (open to Corporate Partners only)
12:00-13:00 – FTE Hub / FTE BIWG networking lunch
13:00-15:00 – FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) meeting (open to Members only)
Taking place at Heinz History Center:
The FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit kickoff event will take place at Heinz History Center, located in Pittsburgh's historic Strip District. This unique location, known for its rich history and innovative exhibits, promises to add an extra layer of inspiration for attendees as we kick-off the event.
17:00-18:30 – FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit – doors open, registration and networking
18:30-19:30 – Opening Keynote Session
19:30-21:00 – Networking, open bar and hors d’oeuvres
Wednesday 15 May:
Taking place at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU):
08:00-09:00 – Networking breakfast
09:00-12:30 – Conference sessions and panels
12:30-13:30 – Networking lunch
Taking place across Pittsburgh:
13:30-16:30 – Innovation tours
17:00-18:30 – Happy hour and networking at the Cinderlands Warehouse – a unique craft brewery in Pittsburgh’s famous Strip District
Thursday 16 May:
Taking place at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU):
08:00-08:30 – Networking breakfast
08:30-12:00 – Interactive workshops
12:00-13:00 – Working lunch
13:00-15:00 – FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit Finale – final presentations, lessons learned, and next steps
Friday 17 May:
Optional bonus day:
Pittsburgh International Airport is working with its local partners to offer bonus content for those who plan to extend their stay in the “Robotics Capital of the World”. We will add details here as they become available.
- The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance is offering an ecosystem tour of our robotics, AI and advanced manufacturing assets in the region on Friday, May 17. Please fill out this quick form to express your interest.
Please note, the agenda is currently being finalised. While the event dates are 100% confirmed, the above timings may be subject to slight change.
Looking for more connections or more to do while you’re in Pittsburgh? Want to meet one-on-one with companies working in robotics, advanced manufacturing, or AI/ML? Please reach out to the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Monica Takacs (mtakacs@pghtech.org) to get connected to other resources in the region.
Register to attend or express your interest in the FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit 2024
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Airports / Airlines / Aircraft Manufacturers / Government Agencies |
Vendors / Suppliers |
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Free to attend (Subject to approval) |
$2,495 USD |
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We have a total of 100 complimentary tickets available for direct employees of Airports, Airlines, Aircraft Manufacturers and Government Agencies. While the official deadline to express your interest in securing one of these free tickets has now passed, we still encourage you to get in touch if you are interested in attending. Priority will be given to senior executives who are actively engaged in exploring and/or deploying robotics and AI solutions to solve aviation industry challenges. All attendees will be expected to play an active role in all elements of the Summit, including the interactive workshops. Please note, we will need to limit the number of attendees from each organisation to ensure that as many organisations as possible have the opportunity to participate in this unique event. To express your interest in attending, please complete and submit the following form and we will be in touch soon with further information. |
We have a total of 100 tickets available for Vendors/Suppliers, priced at $2,495 (USD) per person. The Summit is open to those who are playing an active role in developing and/or deploying robotics and AI solutions within the aviation industry. Please note, all attendees will be expected to play an active role in all elements of the Summit, including the interactive workshops in which participants will work together to share expertise and co-create potential solutions to help solve aviation industry challenges. Therefore, we recommend that participants’ expertise lies in R&D, product development and similar areas. |
|
Airports / Airlines / Aircraft Manufacturers / Government Agencies |
|
Free to attend (Subject to approval) |
|
We have a total of 100 complimentary tickets available for direct employees of Airports, Airlines, Aircraft Manufacturers and Government Agencies. While the official deadline to express your interest in securing one of these free tickets has now passed, we still encourage you to get in touch if you are interested in attending. Priority will be given to senior executives who are actively engaged in exploring and/or deploying robotics and AI solutions to solve aviation industry challenges. All attendees will be expected to play an active role in all elements of the Summit, including the interactive workshops. Please note, we will need to limit the number of attendees from each organisation to ensure that as many organisations as possible have the opportunity to participate in this unique event. To express your interest in attending, please complete and submit the following form and we will be in touch soon with further information. |
| Express your interest in attending >> |
|
Vendors / Suppliers |
|
$2,495 USD |
|
We have a total of 100 tickets available for Vendors/Suppliers, priced at $2,495 (USD) per person. The Summit is open to those who are playing an active role in developing and/or deploying robotics and AI solutions within the aviation industry. Please note, all attendees will be expected to play an active role in all elements of the Summit, including the interactive workshops in which participants will work together to share expertise and co-create potential solutions to help solve aviation industry challenges. Therefore, we recommend that participants’ expertise lies in R&D, product development and similar areas. |
| Contact us for more information >> |
Hotel Accommodation – Discounted rates expire this week!
Future Travel Experience and our host, Pittsburgh International Airport, are delighted to offer discounted hotel rates for attendees seeking accommodation during their visit.
The Oaklander Hotel – located within convenient proximity to the event venues, allowing for comfort and convenience, and the perfect place for FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit delegates to meet, socialise, and network organically during their downtime. The rate of $289/night (excluding tax) has been secured for the nights of Tuesday 14 May, and Wednesday 15 May. To secure your discounted accommodation please contact:
Lauren Hendry
Executive Events Manager
The Oaklander Hotel
lauren.hendry@concordhotels.com
Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport - conveniently connected to the airport for ease of travel in and out of Pittsburgh, The Hyatt Regency will also be the base for our working group meetings taking place on Tuesday 14 May (and therefore suited to members of the FTE BIWG and FTE HUB). The rate of $149/night (excluding tax) has been secured for Monday 13 May. To complete your reservation, please click here. Please reserve by 26 April to secure special rate.
Please note, discounted accommodation is available exclusively to FTE Aviation & Robotics Summit attendees, and for a very limited period only. We would strongly recommend making your hotel reservation as soon as possible to benefit from reduced rates. Once all discounted rooms have been filled, rates cannot be guaranteed and will be strictly subject to availability. FTE and Pittsburgh Airport are currently in the process of securing discount room blocks at nearby hotels and hope to share booking information very soon.