To say Propercorn, the natural, healthy popcorn brand has experienced a whirlwind few years would be an understatement. Since launching in late 2011, the company has secured 3500 stockists for its hand-popped snacks and in the last 18 months alone, has sold more than 13 million packs.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, however, in 2013 the company decided to try to break into the lucrative airline market and took an exhibition stand at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Expo (WTCE) in Hamburg – the air and rail industry’s flagship onboard services event. The decision proved to be a good one and after two successful exhibitions in 2013 and 2014, Propercorn now has listings with five major global airlines and more in the pipeline. 

However, Propercorn’s story is not unusual. Many companies have reported huge – and lucrative – business successes thanks to their participation in the Hamburg event. So it’s no surprise that the exhibition is moving stateside to help other similar companies capitalise on the booming US market. As the sector picks up, with airline profits expected to hit $18.7 billion in 2014, the exhibition is set to offer the US market a unique networking and business hub where exhibitors can meet senior personnel from across the rail, cruise and airline operator industries and visitors can source products not seen in the onboard services sector before.

With the inaugural WTCE Americas set to open its doors at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle on 14 – 16 October, the team at Propercorn explains more about how WTCE in Hamburg has helped transform its business and how other suppliers will be able to use the new US event as a platform to gain brand exposure.

Propercorn achieves run-way success
Following its retail success, Propercorn took the decision to develop a range of smaller sized packs aimed at the airline and onboard catering sector. Having already had experience of WTCE in a previous role, the company’s Head of Sales, Aaron Glover, decided the best way to really attack the market was to exhibit at the event.

“WTCE is renowned in the industry for the quality of visitors it attracts so we knew it would be the perfect place for us to make good contacts in the airline industry – and it did not disappoint.

We met some very senior level buyers and caterers on our stand and received positive and meaningful feedback about our products. As a result Propercorn is now listed with five global airlines with more partnerships in the pipeline. We have also had a steady stream of serious enquiries from other interested parties which we hope to convert in the future. We would not hesitate in recommending the exhibition to other companies keen to break into the US or European airline industries”, commented Aaron Glover.

WTCE not only provides an excellent forum for new business networking and relationship building, but it also delivers invaluable industry insights. On 14 October the Passenger Experience Conference will offer vital strategic advice on key issues surrounding cabin innovation, consumer expectations, and strategies for profitability within the cabin. At the end of the day attendees can benefit from a free networking reception where they can take a sneak preview of the exhibition in a more informal environment, while connecting with industry peers.

WTCE Americas is an exciting opportunity for the US industry to come together and network, as well as source exciting new products to improve and enhance their customers’ experience. 

WTCE Americas is co-located with Aircraft Interiors Expo Americas, which features more than 120 exhibitors from the aircraft interiors industry and over 2,000 industry attendees. Visitors can view the latest and best innovations the industry has to offer, as well as meet with companies from all over the globe.