Avolta returns as Platinum Partner for FAB 2025 Conference in Barcelona

SPAIN. World-leading travel experience player Avolta is once again lending its support as Platinum Partner for the upcoming Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025, taking place on 25-26 June in Barcelona.

Hosted by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will bring together senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners from around the world.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the highly anticipated annual event will culminate in the FAB Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner on 26 June, with the FAB Superstars winners unveiled earlier during the conference.

Avolta was formed in 2023 through the business combination of travel retail powerhouse Dufry and the world’s leading travel-related F&B player Autogrill.

Avolta’s portfolio now extends to 73 countries and more than 1,000 locations, with over 5,100 points-of-sale across three segments – duty free, food & beverage and convenience. These are spread across various channels, including airports, motorways, cruises and ferries, railway, border shops and downtown.

Across its estate, Avolta enjoys access to 2.3 billion passengers each year and employs more than 76,000 people.

Avolta Chief Executive Officer Xavier Rossinyol said, “At Avolta, we live and breathe travel experiences and supporting a platform like FAB, the single most important food & beverage event in the travel industry, where ideas spark and partnerships flourish, is an ideal fit.

“As Platinum Sponsor, we can’t wait to kick off the gala dinner celebrations in style with Avolta’s hedonistic take on the welcome cocktail. And to do so in Barcelona, my hometown and a city that epitomises hospitality, is the cherry on top. We look forward to seeing you there.”

Rossinyol, who has led the company since 1 June 2022, has also been confirmed as part of the distinguished line-up of speakers at the event.

The highly respected industry figure served in Dufry’s leadership from 2004-2015, initially as CFO until 2012 before assuming the role of COO for EMEA and Asia.

He later headed gategroup as CEO for six years, overseeing the market-leading airline catering business. His professional background also includes experience with Grupo Áreas under Group Elior.

Rossinyol will be joined by Walter Seib, another prominent industry leader who serves as CEO for Northern, Central and Eastern Europe at Avolta.

Seib leads Avolta’s operations across 17 European markets, driving growth and performance following the Dufry and Autogrill integration.

A seasoned leader with three decades in travel retail and foodservice, he previously served as HMSHost International CEO (2012-2023) and led Dutch chain La Place.

His stellar career began at Schiphol Airport (1993) before rising to HMSHost’s global executive team.

An influential industry voice, Seib chairs the FoodService Institute Netherlands while advising multiple boards, and shares his knowledge through guest lectures at Maastricht Hotel Management School.

World-renowned Spanish chef Albert Adrià will also share valuable industry insights at the conference.

Adrià’s culinary journey began in 1985 at elBulli, described as “the most controversial and experimental restaurant in the world”. It was here that he developed a deep passion for pastry, further honing his craft at prestigious institutions such as Totel with Maestro Francisco Torreblanca and Guy Savoy in Paris.

In 2010, he co-founded the elBarri group with the Iglesias brothers, creating acclaimed restaurants such as Tickets, Pakta and Enigma. He also joined the board of the El Bulli Foundation and published several influential books, including Natura and Las tapas de Tickets.

Adrià took his culinary expertise global with projects such as 50 Days by Albert Adrià and Cakes & Bubbles in London, and Mercado Little Spain in New York with José Andrés and Ferran Adrià.

Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, he published new works and collaborated with top chefs such as Alain Ducasse on ADMO in Paris.

In 2022, he reopened Enigma as his creative hub while collaborating on food innovation projects.

The Early Bird delegate pass is available for US$1,500 until tomorrow (30 April), after which the standard registration fee will rise to US$1,700. Delegates can secure this final chance for the special offer by accessing the registration portal through this link.

As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for an attractive -50% discount on both the Early Bird and regular registration fees.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more people from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.