APEX Tech 2026 Agenda
Explore sessions, speakers, and topics
Monday | 26 January 2026
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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Ice Breaker Happy Hour
Tuesday | 27 January 2026
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8:00 am - 9:00 am
Registration & Coffee
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9:00 am - 9:10 am
Welcome & Opening Insights
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9:10 am - 9:40 am
Keynote Address: Integrating Intelligence - Data-Driven Blueprint for IFE & Connectivity
Andrés Castañeda OchoaAeroméxicoChief Digital and Customer Experience Officer -
9:40 am - 10:30 am
Airline Panel: Airlines Defining the Next Wave of Connectivity and Content Integration
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10:30 am - 11:15 am
Speed Networking & Coffee Break
Sponsored by: West Entertainment
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11:15 am - 11:30 am
Case Study: Implementing Starlink LEO Successfully
This case study showcases the rapid integration of SpaceX Starlink Low Earth Orbit connectivity across JSX, Hawaiian Airlines and Qatar Airways, demonstrating its adaptability for different aircraft types and operational models. Airlines leveraged Starlink’s high-speed, gate-to-gate internet to enhance passenger experience, from JSX’s regional jets to Hawaiian’s A321neo and A330 aircraft, and Qatar Airways’ 54 Boeing 777 widebodies. The successful large-scale deployment highlights Starlink’s role in setting a new global standard for inflight connectivity technology in commercial aviation.
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11:30 am - 12:15 pm
The Latest in IFC - Is LEO Going to Eat Everyone's Lunch
This panel will examine the rapid advances in Low Earth Orbit satellite connectivity, spotlighting real-world airline deployments that redefine inflight internet performance. Leaders will explore how emerging LEO solutions, alongside established GEO and MEO providers, are transforming passenger experience, operational efficiency and competitive positioning across diverse fleets. Discussion will address whether LEO’s speed, reliability and scalability position it to surpass or integrate with traditional geostationary, medium Earth orbit and hybrid IFC models in commercial aviation.
Mary KirbyRunway Girl NetworkFounder, Editor and Publisher
Mike DeMarcoSESPresident, Aero Vertical
Philippe SchleretTelesatVice President, Aviation -
12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Lunch Break
Sponsored by: West Entertainment
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1:15 pm - 2:45 pm
Workshop: In-Flight Connectivity Disruption - From GEO to LEO and the Hybrid Horizon Group
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2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
Coffee Break
Sponsored by: Panasonic
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3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Keynote Address: Bridging Continents, Connecting Experiences
Turkish Airlines Vice President, Customer Experience Mustafa Mucahitoglu, outlines the airline's global digital strategy, where IFEC is infused with cultural intelligence, language diversity, and next-generation passenger engagement powered by AI, personalization, and a seamless digital ecosystem.
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3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
Inflight Touchpoints in the Digital Ecosystem: Advancing Integration and Intelligence
As inflight entertainment becomes a fully connected, data-driven ecosystem, display systems act as intelligent digital interfaces. This session brings together technical experts to discuss the engineering priorities shaping next-generation inflight screens from system integration and digital architecture to content synchronization, software-driven personalization, and performance optimization. Explore how advancements in display control, power efficiency, and connectivity standards are enabling smarter, lighter, and more adaptable inflight experiences that align with the broader digital cabin vision.
Seth MillerPaxEx.AeroAuthor
Ben AsmarSafranVice President, Products and Strategy
Kevin ClarkBluebox AvionicsCEO
Laura RoesgesAirFi.aeroCEO -
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm
Edge Caching and Streaming - Focus on Supply Chain Technology, Standards, Market Dynamics, and Technical Implications of Different Business Models
Sponsored by: Safran
Over time, as connectivity bandwidth increases and its costs decrease, less content will be locally-cached on the aircraft and more content will be delivered from the cloud. Emerging delivery methods codified by the Streaming Video Technology Association (SVTA), with whom APEX enjoys a liaison relationship, will enable faster deployment of content to the aircraft, and offer content providers the ability to have greater control over both prioritization of content in the supply chain, and management of the business models. But are those business models changing? Is the concept of “consumers provide the content, airlines provide the pipe” premature? Where will the technology and business models intersect, and what does that mean for the future of IFE?
Seth MillerPaxEx.AeroAuthor
Fergus BoyceSpafaxSenior Vice President Media Supply Chain
Glenn GonzalesSidenHead of Business Development and Partnerships
Clare JoseySafranSenior Director, Passenger Services
Claudio PallaisQuviaLead Technical Account Manager, Aviation
Ralph WagnerAxinomCEO -
5:15 pm - 5:30 pm
Day 1 Wrap-Up & Feedback
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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Networking Reception
Sponsored by: Spafax
Join fellow APEX members and TECH attendees for an engaging networking event with drinks, light appetizers, and great conversations.
Wednesday | 28 January 2026
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9:00 am - 9:10 am
Welcome & Opening Insights
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9:10 am - 9:40 am
Keynote Address: Designing the World’s Best IFE
With Cathay Pacific named Skytrax 2025 winner for Best Inflight Entertainment, the airline reveals the interface principles, multilingual innovations, and personalization strategies that elevated their IFEC offering to global acclaim.
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9:40 am - 9:55 am
Case Study: How Fast Can Media Content be Deployed to Aircraft Today - at Scale?
IFE has always enjoyed an Early Window of availability, just weeks or months after theatrical opening, and prior to other ancillary markets. But as the time between theatrical release and Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) streaming has shrunk, out-of-date Content Integration practices have cost IFE its Early Window. But cloud-based delivery coupled with smart metadata—already the subject of some APEX Working Groups—offer the opportunity to regain some windowing primacy. Come join a robust discussion on cloud-based capabilities, smart metadata, and edge caching.
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9:55 am - 10:40 am
From Studio to Seatback: Standardizing Rights Enforcement
The rise of passenger-centric content delivery, supported by modern streaming capabilities, is reshaping priorities across the media and entertainment landscape. Cloud-based distribution is expanding opportunities to bring content to travelers while navigating increasingly complex licensing rights. APEX is working to define a distribution architecture that enables content owners to enforce preferred licensing rights and business models, while still meeting evolving passenger expectations. Will IFE move toward a more direct, passenger-driven experience or will it remain anchored in a B2B licensing environment? Join us for a conversation that could redefine the paradigm.
Sam AllenStellar EntertainmentCEO
Simon CuthbertAnuvuVP, Licensing Programming & Distribtion
Kate GrothWest EntertainmentPresident
Andre ValeraTouchVice President Business Development -
10:40 am - 11:15 am
Speed Networking & Coffee Break
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11:15 am - 12:45 pm
Workshop: From Studio to Seatback: Standardizing Rights Enforcement
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12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Lunch Break
Sponsored by: Panasonic
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1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
Engineering the Next Generation of Connected Travel – Performance, Data Integration, and Intelligent IFEC Systems
Sponsored by: Reaktor
This session dives deep into the engineering behind the next evolution of inflight connectivity and entertainment systems. Experts will examine how advanced technology, next-generation portals, and cloud-based architectures are redefining digital engagement onboard. Discussion topics include the use of smart metadata, EIDR and Ad-ID frameworks, and edge caching to enable low-latency content delivery, targeted advertising, and real-time personalization. Panelists will also explore how data integration across aircraft networks, cloud environments, and ground systems can optimize bandwidth utilization, accelerate content distribution, and increase the precision of ad and ecommerce analytics. Attendees will gain insight into how these technical advancements are shaping a scalable, data-driven IFEC ecosystem that enhances both passenger experience and airline revenue performance.
Satu DahlInflight MagazineEditor
Walter BerggrenReaktor AeroHead of IFEC Engineering
Cyril JeanPXComCEO
Mark WrightSpafaxGlobal SVP of Business Development -
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
Evolving the Non-Theatrical Ecosystem: Rights, Content, and Collaboration
Streaming platforms are transforming onboard entertainment, while complex licensing and evolving rights agreements reshape the wider non-theatrical market. This session explores how in-flight streaming fits into a rapidly changing ecosystem of commercial models, media partnerships, and emerging content formats. Speakers will examine legal frameworks, hybrid delivery models that avoid antitrust issues, and what the future media content set may look like. Industry leaders will share strategies for flexible airline-provider collaboration that keeps pace with shifting passenger expectations.
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3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Keynote Address: The Next Generation of Delta Sync to the Future
Discover how Delta Air Lines is redefining the connected travel experience through the next generation of Delta Sync, merging technology, personalization, and seamless connectivity. This keynote explores how innovation in the sky is setting new standards for engagement, loyalty, and the future of digital travel.
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3:45 pm - 4:00 pm
Coffee Break
Sponsored by: Panasonic
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4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Parallel Sessions
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5:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Day 2 Wrap-Up & Feedback
Speaker Directory