SWIFT CONFERENCE & EXPO NEWS

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

The SWIFT Conference is partnering with both the Regional Community Airports of Canada (RCAC) and the British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) to ensure that regional airports are fully represented at the 2024 conference & expo in Vancouver, July 17th-19th. Regional airports across Canada face a staggering array of issues including training (and retaining) airfield operations personnel, navigating regulatory challenges and coping with wildfires. SWIFT delegates can now expect more presenters and panellists from regional airports to share insights in sessions on winter operations and workforce management. There is also a dedicated ‘Winter Operations at Regional Airports’ session on Thursday September 19th led by RCAC chair (and Airport General Manager at Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat) Carman Hendry, with West Jet’s Flight Technical Manager Zachary Marton and Line Manager, Sarah Hancock. The integration is a key part of SWIFT’s 2024 ‘Better Together | Working Together’ byline designed to foster more dialogue between airports throughout North America. BCAC chair, Heather McCarley, notes: “The conference has always provided valuable insights for airfield operations, so it’s terrific that the content and presentations are relevant for all airports, regardless of their size. I look forward to seeing our BCAC and RCAC members in person at the

The prestigious SWIFT (Summer Winter Integrated Field Technologies) conference, known for its 46-year history in North America, has successfully launched its first-ever European edition. Held in London on June 18-19th, SWIFT Europe marked a significant milestone in the realm of airfield operations, drawing as many as 120 registrants. Choosing London as the host city for the inaugural SWIFT Europe was both strategic and symbolic. A hub of international travel and innovation, London provided the perfect backdrop for this event. The conference featured a series of insightful sessions, each tailored to provide valuable knowledge and practical solutions for airfield management, from airfield management. The sessions focussed on subjects including Glycol Recovery, the new ACR-PCR pavement standards, FOD management, wildlife & habitat, and vertiports – to name a few. Beyond the presentations and panels, SWIFT Europe 2024 provided opportunities for networking and collaboration between airports and manufacturers, with tabletop booths lining the conference space. The inaugural SWIFT Europe was a resounding success, setting the stage for future editions of the conference on this side of the Atlantic. By bringing together industry leaders, experts, and practitioners, SWIFT Europe 2024 has established itself as a vital platform for advancing airfield operations in Europe and

Following the success in North America over the past three decades, renowned aviation Conference & Expo, SWIFT begins an exciting new chapter in its legacy. Crossing the Atlantic, SWIFT Europe launches in London on 18th and 19th of June, hosted by international hub London Heathrow Airport.   SWIFT has long been the pulse of the industry in North America, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and propelling airside excellence between airports and governing bodies. Now it’s time for European airports to join the discussion.   The SWIFT Executive Committee, as always, will be overseeing plans and offering their valuable experience and understanding of airside operations and maintenance, while the newly appointed SWIFT Europe steering group will curate speakers and content.    Delegates will be invited to deep dive into technical and operational insights, decisions and factors that shape management, learn from industry experts and exchange ideas with peers, as well as having up-front access to new airfield technologies.     Be sure to mark your calendars for the inaugural SWIFT Europe: Monday-Tuesday 18-19th June  Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel   Tickets will be available to purchase at the early bird rate from March 2024, and include access to all sessions, lunches, coffees as well

  SWIFT ATTENDANCE UP 40% September 26 – 28th, Winnipeg Hosted by Winnipeg Airports Authority, the SWIFT 23 conference took place at the Winnipeg Delta Hotel while the first full ‘equipment year’ expo (since 2017) was held at YWG’s magically transformed Combined Services Building.  SWIFT continued its long-term partnership with CAPTG (the Canadian Airfield Pavement Technical Group) ensuring strong technical coverage of asphalt and concrete runways, airport aprons, and taxiways. Headline sponsors Team Eagle hosted delegates at their legendary ‘Eagle Night’ at Rudy’s Eat & Drink on Tuesday evening as well as donating prizes, including a $1,000 travel voucher, to three lucky winners at the 2023 ‘Expo Social’ on Wednesday afternoon. During the two conference days (Tuesday sponsored by Tradewind Scientific, and Thursday sponsored by Aebi Schmidt) opened with Tom Ruth’s keynote on sustainability with a detailed look at ESG megatrends. Other stand-out sessions included the The Evolving Winter Ecosystem, People & Resourcing, and Net Zero Fleet Strategy. This year’s expo (sponsored by Boschung and Airport Technologies Inc), saw a large space around YWG’s Combined Service Building receive a temporary exemption from its regular ‘airside’ designation. The day was enhanced by a series of live demonstrations including a ‘RoBird’ drone

It’s testament to the strength of the SWIFT community that in the months leading up to SWIFT 22 the demand from both delegates and exhibitors outstripped all expectations. Culminating in an exceptional 394 attendees, 83 joining online and 311 coming together at YUL.  The blended physical and virtual airfield conference and expo, hosted by Montréal–Trudeau International Airport from Sept 13th – 15th, was the first full SWIFT since 2019,  delivered by Aviation Events Group. Despite the devastation inflicted on the industry during the Covid pandemic, the Marriott Montreal Airport In-Terminal Hotel was jam-packed with delegates from Canada, the US and Europe. Donald Desrosiers, SWIFT chair and Main Director Airfield and Building Infrastructures Maintenance at ADMTL,  highlighted this in his closing remarks “when we first thought about this event, we were not sure how many people would be here  [yet] more stayed to the end than we originally expected would show up… It was fun to be back face to face and talk to industry peers.” During the three-day ‘stepping stone’ event, delegates enjoyed a balanced mix of presentations from military and civil airports, regulators and industry experts. As well as the traditional CAPTG (Canadian Airport Pavement Technical Group) workshop, SWIFT

SWIFT 22 is to be held at YUL in Montréal, and already a number of incredible speakers have been confirmed to present. The schedule for the first day has six sessions, including two presented by the Canadian Airfield Pavement Technologies Group (CAPTG). The sessions will cover topics ranging from the psychological safety of staff, to methods of best practise for maintaining airfield pavements. The first session, commencing at 09:00 EST, will be the Welcome Session, hosted by host airport’s Donald Desrosiers, Main Director of Airfield & Building Infrastructures Maintenance. Donald will be joined by YUL’s President, Philipe Rainville, CAPTG and the Department of National Defence’s Myron Thiessen, and Thomas Romig, Vice President Safety, Security & Operations for ACI. Philipe Rainville commented. Donald returns to chair the second session of the day: Psychological Safety/Our People, focusing on HR to people strategy. The first presentation will be from Kim Hobbs, Director of Health & Safety at YVR, and Susan Sawatzky, the President of In-Scope Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in Human Risk Factors for high-risk industries across North America. The second presentation of the session will come from the host airport’s Talents and Transformation Team, Marie-Félicité Gignac, Director, and Natasha Audette, Business

After ten years at the helm, Roy McLeod has announced that he will be stepping down from the role of SWIFT committee chair. The move coincides with his departure from Calgary International Airport, where he worked as ‘Director of Airfield Operations’ since 2012. With over 38 years experience in the industry, Roy worked in many roles across airport operations and has sat on various aviation committees. His insight, understanding, and connections within the sector have been an invaluable asset to the organisation of SWIFT events.  Roy comments, “This is an exciting year for SWIFT, returning to a physical conference, blended with virtual for those who cannot attend. We have an exciting line-up of speakers as all delegates have come to expect from SWIFT. “There have been so many great venues, and so many gracious host airports in my time as chair, that it’s impossible to pick anything other than all of the connections I have been fortunate enough to make over the years as my SWIFT highlight. I will definitely miss the committee and the sheer level of excitement that comes with day one at the conference.” The committee will be left in the capable hands of Donald Desrosiers, Vice