The 2024 SWIFT Conference & Expo achieved the highest ever recorded number of attendees (454) for a non-equipment year. Both the conference and expo were in the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre from September 17-19, where delegates discussed the myriad of opportunities and challenges facing the industry as passenger numbers are on track to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
The 2024 ‘Better Together, Working Together’ theme ran through every topic including staff wellbeing, winter operations, sustainability, and the integration of new technologies. This fed through from large hubs to smaller regionals thanks to collaboration with the RCAC (Regional Community Airports of Canada) and BCAC (British Columbia Aviation Council). CAPTG (the Canadian Airfield Pavement Technical Group) sessions also experienced record attendance, with in depth coverage of developments in asphalt and concrete pavements, aprons, and taxiways.
“This year’s event has been fantastic and we are thrilled that the YVR team was able to play its part in building on the momentum from SWIFT 2023 in Winnipeg,” said Beth Henschel, Director, Airside Operations at Vancouver Airport Authority. ‘The ‘Better Together, Working Together’ philosophy for 2024 delivered for both hub and community airports and, from early delegate feedback, has put SWIFT firmly on track for an even better event in 2025.”
In the closing ceremony Todd Browne, Associate Director of Airfield Operations at GTAA, introduced a special video message from Deborah Ale Flint, president and CEO of GTAA, announcing that SWIFT 2025 will be hosted by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority with the conference and expo in Niagara Falls from Sept 23-25.
