More high-profile names join compelling FAB 2025 programme

SPAIN. SSP Group CEO Patrick Coveney and Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) Vice President Commercial Development Pravat Paikray have joined the star-studded speaker line-up for the Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025.

Hosted by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event is set to take place on 25-26 June in Barcelona.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the gathering will feature senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners from around the world.

Since his appointment as Group CEO in March 2022, Coveney has driven SSP’s growth amid the post-pandemic recovery of the travel food market, leading several acquisitions in North America and Asia. The US$5 billion food travel business now operates in nearly 40 countries worldwide.

With 14 years as CEO of Greencore Group, a major convenience food producer, Coveney brings deep industry expertise and has held non-executive roles at several international F&B companies.

With over 20 years of experience in retail and hospitality, Paikray drives non-aeronautical revenue growth at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru. He is steering the airport’s large-scale Terminal 2 expansion, aiming to establish it as India’s leading gateway and a key hub for shopping and dining.

Beyond his role in BIAL’s commercial division, Paikray serves on the Board of Directors at Dufry Retail India and is Head of Bengaluru Airport Services.

Joining them is Dubai Airports VP Concessions Management Alison Macdonald, overseeing F&B, retail and advertising.

Previously, she held senior commercial roles at Changi Airports International and Vantage Airport Group, focusing on commercial strategy and operations. Macdonald brings a global perspective to driving financial results and enhancing the passenger experience.

Macdonald said, “I am extremely pleased to participate in the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference and Awards 2025 and to engage in knowledge sharing with key leaders and innovative teams across the airport F&B and Hospitality business.

“At Dubai Airports, we continuously invest in our understanding and evolve our commercial offerings to meet and exceed our changing guest expectations. Our guests are predominantly global and young, and with that comes evolving choice drivers as well as travel and consumption patterns when compared to cohorts before.”

The outstanding conference programme also features Aspire Lounge Head of Airport Lounges & Hospitality, North America Jorge da Silva.

Since joining Swissport in 2022 to lead Canadian lounge operations, he has been promoted to oversee lounge performance across North America. With two decades of hospitality experience and a law degree from the University of Ottawa, da Silva is focused on elevating the commercial and guest experience across the region’s lounges.

Da Silva said, “Attending my first FAB conference in Ontario, California in 2024 was a truly enriching experience. The event stood out for its captivating discussions led by various speakers, offering profound insights into our industry. Moreover, the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and forge new connections made it an invaluable networking platform.”

As reported, registration for the Airport FAB + Hospitality Conference & Awards is now open via the official portal.

An Early Bird delegate pass is available for US$1,500 until 30 April, after which the standard registration fee is US$1,700. 

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 delegates 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.