2002 | 2001

2003 Conference & Educational Workshops
London, United Kingdom
12-13 February 2003

Agenda Revised January 31, 2003

Each day will consist of a number of highly focused sessions, targeting some of the key issues affecting IFE today and in the future. The selection of topics is based on extensive research and feedback from the WAEA membership. With presentations from experts in each area and plenty of opportunities for debate, each session will allow both newcomers and established delegates to gain full value from their attendance.

Tuesday, 11 February

15:00 - 18:00 Delegate Registration

18:00 - 19:00 Welcome Cocktail Reception

Wednesday, 12 February

08:00 Delegate Registration Opens

08-00 - 09:00 Continental Breakfast

09:00 - 09:15 Welcome Address

09:15 - 10:00 Keynote Address Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive (Virgin Atlantic Airways)

10:00 - 11:30 "Wireless Onboard"
What does this mean? This session starts with an overview of various wireless systems in use today (e.g. mobile phones and wireless data for laptops and PDAs) and then continues to describe the possibilities for and issues of using such technologies onboard. This session will follow up on the November 2002 Single Focus Workshop in Washington DC.

Speakers: Mary Rogozinski (United Airlines); Mike Fitzgerald (Altobridge); Jens Lehne (Lufthansa German Airlines); Bill Peltola (AirCell); Luc Signargout (Rockwell Collins France)

11:30 - 12:00 Open Forum - NEW THIS YEAR!
A chance to get together and continue the debate from the morning session; also time to deal with any urgent business issues, relax or meet with colleagues before lunch.

12:00 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 16:00 "Media Integration"
This is a subject that affects almost everybody involved in the delivery of digital IFE products, from the hardware supplier to the studio and from the service provider to airline maintenance personnel. This session examines the end-to-end process, the roles of those involved and the challenges faced by all parties. It also provides a forum to discuss how this situation may evolve as the digital revolution continues within the world of IFE.

Speakers: Ford Cirni (Rockwell Collins Passenger Systems); Victor Hernandez (MAS); Julian Levin (Twentieth Century Fox Films); Bryan Rusenko (Crest National Digital Media Complex); Matthias Walther (Lufthansa German Airlines)

16:00 - 17:00 Open Forum

18:00 Evening Networking Event

Thursday, 13 February

09:00 - 10:45 "DVD Early Window"
Note new description: Now that DVD is a firmly established product offering for several airlines, we now look at the hot topic of making early window content available for airline use. Experts from studios, encoding facilities and the airlines consider such issues as product availability and security.

Speakers: Mark Horton (Paramount Pictures); Cristelle Cuenca (DMX Inflight); John O'Connor (Cine Magnetics); Henry Osias (MAS); Chris Schindler (MGM Studios)

10:45 - 11:45 Open Forum

11:45 - 13:15 Lunch

13:15 - 15:15 "Reliability & Obsolescence"
Note new description: IFE system reliability has consistently improved over the years but is still a highly important and at times 'emotional' issue. This session will look at the more technical topics associated with reliability such as redundancy, system testing, maintenance and spares, as well as examine the factors that are most important to the passenger, cabin crew and the airline marketing people. Also being discussed will be the issue of Obsolescence -- Many IFE systems flying today have been in use for several years and even comparatively new IFE systems would already be considered obsolete compared to the technology advances used by computers and other appliances in use at home or the office. Is it realistic to expect to keep up with technology developments on the ground and what is being done with IFE systems to take this issue into account? Learn realistic and economical strategies to keep current and meet passenger expectations.

Speakers: Samir Alameddin (American Airlines); Brian Roland (Continental Airlines); Cindy Tarver (Intheairnet); Geoff Underwood (Inflight Peripherals); Linda Webb (Northwest Airlines)

15:15 - 15:30 Closing Remarks

All sessions, topics and speakers are subject to change. Please visit this page frequently for the latest updates.