Samuel Chekroun is a 32-year-old French entrepreneur and HEC Paris graduate. He began his career in M&A at Goldman Sachs in London before founding two companies in e-learning and social networking. Hubway is his third venture and, just 18 months after launch, is now onboarding, on average, one new airport every month.

Stefano Baronci has served as Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East since December 2019. In this role, he leads the implementation of the association’s strategic plan, strengthens its advocacy efforts with governments, regulators, and international organisations, and oversees the team at the Regional Office headquartered in Hong Kong.

Steve Armitage is Head of Innovation at Heathrow, where he identifies business opportunities, develops and tests concepts for implementation, and helps advance Heathrow’s ambition to be an extraordinary, future-ready airport. His remit spans passenger, baggage, airside, and surface access operations.

Mr Yiu was appointed Executive Director, Airport Operations, at Airport Authority Hong Kong in December 2022. Mr Yiu has been in the aviation industry for over 30 years. He joined Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) in 1995 and held various management positions in airport operations.

Subin Lee has built her career in the aviation industry since 2014, working for Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), which operates 14 airports in South Korea. As Deputy General Manager of the Gimpo Airport Landside Operations Office, she has led security automation projects, including AI-powered X-ray screening and an AI service currently under development to identify prohibited items. As a member of the AI Innovation Committee, she collaborates with colleagues to integrate cutting-edge AI technologies into practical, long-term airport operations.

Szilvia Turcsik is a Senior Innovation Manager for Data and AI at Heathrow Airport, with a decade of diverse aviation experience gained at Heathrow, IAG, and London City Airport across strategy, technology, and operational roles. She holds a BSc in Economics and an MSc in Air Transport Planning and Management and is currently pursuing an MBA at Imperial Business School.

Thorsten Astheimer has an engineering degree in aviation and extensive experience in the aviation industry, including airport operations and planning, airport ATC, and airside system and infrastructure development. In 2025, after 27 years in various roles with Fraport AG, Thorsten joined ADB SAFEGATE as Director Sales & Business Development, working with airports on innovative operational and technical solutions for their operational issues, as well as enhancing the company’s technology portfolio. Since 2011, he has been teaching Aviation Management at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

Vanesa Calvo Alonso is an Aerospace Engineer at Aena, leading AI governance, strategy and innovation initiatives, and ensuring responsible AI adoption, regulatory compliance and digital transformation in aviation.

Vera Jakobsen has been Vice President Digital at Munich Airport since 2022. With a strong passion for innovation and transformation, she drives strategic digital initiatives across the airport. Her areas of focus include artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and autonomous mobility solutions, supporting Munich Airport’s vision of becoming a leading smart airport.