Story ID: 
AIN 2013 Aircraft Interiors Expo
By: AIN Staff
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Word Count: 303
The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX)continues to grow and this year saw more than 500 exhibitors spread over 194,000 sq ft of space at the vast Messe Center in Hamburg, Germany. While the number of exhibitors has remained relatively consistent over the past several years, said event director Katie Murphy of Reed Exhibitions, the amount of floor space this year was 21,000 sq ft more than in 2012, the result of many exhibitors opting to expand their presence.

More encouraging, said Murphy, is the fact that midway through the three-day show (April 9-11) this year, more than 80 percent of the exhibit space for the 2014 show had already been sold.

This year also marked the second year that the World Travel Catering and Onboard Service Exposition was held concurrently. More than 200 exhibitors crowded 5,800 sq ft in three halls, from Monty’s Bakehouse with hand-held, bake-in-a-box wraps to Chilean vintner Concha y Toro with wines selected specifically for the aircraft cabin environment.

In addition to cuisine suited to virtually every taste, participants showcased galley staples. Dutch supplier Sola Airline Cutlery showed off its latest designs and Intex of Zhejiang, China, was there with a line of high-end bedding products, from hot and cold towels to pillows, blankets and duvets.

Also presented in collaboration with AIX for the second year was the Passenger Exposition Conference, held the day before the doors of the interiors show opened. More than 300 visitors attended the day-long conference.

All these, along with the annual Aircraft International Exposition In the Americas, scheduled this year in Seattle in October, create a broad source of industry marketing intelligence that allows multiple resources to meet the needs of a wider number of exhibitors and visitors, explained Murphy.