Simonas Juodagalvis is Head of Business Development at Aviovis Group, the Lithuania-based organiser behind the Global Aviation Conference Frankfurt, one of the industry's key meeting points for airlines, lessors, MRO providers, and technology companies. He leads the growth of Aviovis's conference portfolio, from developing new event concepts to securing speakers and building partnerships across the sector.
Dreamix will be attending this year's Global Aviation Conference in Frankfurt this September, represented by our colleagues Kostadin Ganchev and Dimitar Dimitrov. Ahead of the event, we spoke with Simonas about what shapes a conference agenda from the inside, what exhibitors and speakers are actually asking for right now, and what's worth doing if you want a conference to pay off.
Q: How do you decide which topics get the main stage versus a breakout room?
Juodagalvis: We aim to choose topics that are the most relevant to today's industry landscape. We always look at what would be most interesting and useful to our audience, so they can gain valuable insights into an ever-changing industry.
That's especially true this year. Aviation demand has been unpredictable. IATA recorded a 6.1% jump in global air travel in February, followed by a 3.4% drop in April after the war in the Middle East cut regional air travel by nearly half. A topic that feels urgent when the agenda is planned can lose relevance, or a new one can suddenly become critical, by the time the conference actually happens.
Q: What do exhibitors and speakers ask for most when they're planning to be part of an event like this?
Juodagalvis: They usually want to know whether they will have a chance to speak or present in front of relevant attendees. Of course, they also want to know who will be attending and whether they will have opportunities to connect with the right decision-makers.
Q: What's the biggest misconception companies have about what a conference like this can actually do for them?
Juodagalvis: I think companies sometimes underestimate what can come from simply meeting the right person. You never know when a simple handshake or conversation can turn into a valuable business opportunity. Sometimes one good connection can make the entire conference worthwhile.
Q: Which topic gets requested most often by speakers and sponsors right now?
Juodagalvis: Currently, AI is definitely the buzz. We're receiving a lot of interest around this topic, and I guess it's the same across many other industries as well. Everyone wants to understand how AI will affect their business and the industry in the coming years.
Q: What's the concern you hear most often from exhibitors and speakers this year?
Juodagalvis: I would say the changing geopolitical situation. However, there is a lot of optimism as well, probably because aviation is a very dynamic industry that recovers very quickly from any unexpected situations.
That optimism has data behind it. IATA projects global air passenger demand will more than double by 2050. Oliver Wyman's 2026 outlook puts the global pilot shortfall at roughly 24,000 this year, the steepest gap of the decade. According to Boeing’s Pilot and Technicians Outlook for 2026-2045, the industry needs 674,000 new pilots and 728,000 new maintenance technicians worldwide by 2045.
Q: What's changed most about how companies prepare for a conference compared to five years ago?
Juodagalvis: Five years ago, most of the prep was logistical, booking a booth, printing materials, planning the pitch. Now companies come in with a much clearer idea of who they want to meet before they even arrive. AI and better attendee data have made it possible to actually see who's registered and plan targeted meetings in advance, instead of just showing up and hoping for good conversations. The conference itself hasn't changed as much as the mindset going into it.
Q: What's something you've learned about doing this job that you wish someone had told you starting out?
Juodagalvis: That almost anything is possible if you're willing to push for it. Always aim high and don't be afraid to try something that initially seems impossible. Most importantly, never sell yourself short.
If you're headed to Frankfurt this September too, don't be a stranger, Dreamix will be there.
