MCO-hosted FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group event in pictures – inspiration-filled sessions, collaborative discussions, valuable networking, exclusive tours, and more
The following article was published by Future Travel Experience
On 9-11 February 2026, the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group gathered in Orlando for three days of inspiration-filled sessions, collaborative discussions, valuable networking, and exclusive tours, hosted by Orlando International Airport.
The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) gathered in-person on 9-11 February 2026 – hosted by Orlando International Airport (MCO) – for three days of inspiration-filled sessions, collaborative discussions, valuable networking, and exclusive tours. Among the many highlights, high-level speakers participated from MCO, Brock Solutions and more; Walt Disney World Resort hosted a visit to its baggage processing operations; MCO gave an exclusive tour of its baggage system; a technology-focused tour at CLX Engineering saw live demonstrations of baggage innovation and autonomous passenger boarding bridge capabilities; and much more. In addition, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Lance Lyttle stopped in to speak to the group during the BIWG meeting, along with executive team members who also joined some of the networking events.
“The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group event in Orlando exemplified the power of collaboration in driving the future of baggage handling and passenger experience,” said Future Travel Experience Head of Transformation Darin Juby. “By bringing together key players from across the industry, including airlines, airport operators, tech innovators, and startups, we were able to engage in meaningful discussions and explore cutting-edge solutions. The hands-on experiences, from the exclusive tour of Orlando International Airport’s baggage system to live demonstrations at CLX Engineering, gave attendees a unique opportunity to witness first-hand how technology and innovation are reshaping our industry. Equally valuable were the networking opportunities, which allowed participants to forge new connections and deepen existing ones, strengthening the ecosystem that is driving progress. It’s clear that the industry is on the cusp of transformative change, and it’s exciting to see the real-world applications emerging that will make travel more seamless, efficient, and enjoyable for passengers worldwide.”
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority presentation: Orlando Airport Baggage Overview & Orlando Airport Future of Baggage
Three days of innovation began with the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group meeting at Orlando International Airport. Scott Goodwin, Assistant Vice President, Airport Operations, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, delivered a compelling presentation titled ‘Orlando Airport Baggage Overview & Orlando Airport Future of Baggage’. He shared Orlando International Airport’s baggage vision of the future and discussed plans to replace aging systems, while maintaining growing operations, with a state-of-the-art system and processes envisioned to support an expanding and unique market.
Orlando International Airport’s baggage future will support future technologies, campus integration, 100% tracking and sortation, early bag storage, and remote screening inclusion.
Brock Solutions: Off-Airport Overview, International Remote Baggage Screening Update & GeminAI
Cliff Burchfield, Business Development Executive, Brock Solutions (a Strategic Partner of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group) followed with an insightful presentation titled ‘Off-Airport Overview, International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) Update & GeminAI’. Burchfield began by sharing how Brock Solutions partners with BagCheck (a Strategic Partner of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group) to facilitate off-airport bag drop, allowing passengers to check in their luggage away from the airport.
He also discussed how Brock Solutions and BagCheck are collaborating on International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) – a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative – for connecting passengers with checked bags that eliminates re-checking bags on select international routes, making the connecting experience even easier and reducing potential missed connections. Over 400,000 bags have been handled to date on seven daily flights (LHR-DFW, SYD-SFO, and SYD-LAX).
Finally, Burchfield shared an update on GeminAI – an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered aeronautical and operational efficiency solution providing situational awareness, operational optimisation, real-time event management, and predictive analysis.
Startup Pitches from high-potential innovative companies
The focus on innovation continued with a series of Startup Pitches. High-potential, innovative companies, including Trovee AI, Tubular Network, Dexterity, Frontier Audio, ViRV, and NoLimitRobotics were highlighted that are gaining traction with large organisations. During the showcase, the companies presented 10-minute presentations, offering an inside look at the challenges they tackle and the innovative solutions they provide. The showcase sparked meaningful discussions around real-world use cases, scalability, and testing, serving as a bridge between groundbreaking startups and established industry leaders. Following the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to network with the startups, fostering collaboration and driving innovation.
Exclusive tours at MCO, Walt Disney World Resort and CLX Engineering, plus unparalleled networking opportunities
Members of the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) also had opportunity to come together, network and unwind at an Evening Networking Event at Uncle Julio’s, ICON Park – sponsored by Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and BIWG Strategic Partners BEUMER Group and Brock Solutions – which was the perfect way to conclude Day 1 by reconnecting in a relaxed setting. Meanwhile, Day 2 included a networking golf event with the 3rd Annual BIWG Golf Day.
The programme also included an exclusive tour of the MCO baggage system and a visit to baggage processing operations at Walt Disney World Resort, while the week concluded with a technology-focused tour at CLX Engineering (a BIWG Partner), where participants saw live demonstrations of automation, controls and autonomous passenger boarding bridge capabilities.
FTE BIWG: Reimagining the future of the baggage journey
The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group event in Orlando once again demonstrated the power of industry collaboration in accelerating meaningful progress. By combining strategic discussion, real-world operational insight, startup innovation, and hands-on technology demonstrations, the event created an environment where ideas moved beyond theory into practical application. As airports and airlines continue to navigate growth, complexity, and rising passenger expectations, baggage remains a critical touchpoint in the end-to-end journey. The discussions and partnerships formed in Orlando reinforced that the future of baggage will be driven by data, automation, remote processing capabilities, and cross-industry collaboration. With strong engagement from Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and leading solution providers, the Orlando gathering set the tone for the next phase of baggage innovation – one focused not just on incremental improvement, but on transformational change that enhances efficiency, resilience, and the passenger experience alike.
Learn more about the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group – the industry forum where the future of baggage handling will be defined >>FTE BIWG: Delivering tangible change through industry collaboration
The FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group (BIWG) brings together the most innovative and progressive baggage supply chain companies, airlines, and airports from across the industry to provide a unique platform for cooperation and industry advancement. It is the platform for developing new techniques, technologies, and business models to deliver tangible change in the baggage sector. Members regularly come together to learn from one another and collaborate on game-changing Proof of Concepts to reduce costs, improve passenger experience, and test innovations.
The BIWG enters 2026 with several Proof of Concepts already underway, with ongoing BOOST PoCs across multiple airports and new PoCs focused on bag classification and next-generation loading technologies also in development.
The Group’s work over the next year will continue to focus on areas such as baggage tracking and tagging; robotics and automation; AI and agentic AI; and the integration of new products and tools into daily airport operations. Confirmed 2026 in-person meetings include:
- 16 March 2026 – London (hosted by Heathrow Airport)
- 9 June 2026 – Dublin (co-located with the new FTE Smart Ramp & Baggage Innovation Summit as part of APEX FTE EMEA)
- 8 September 2026 – Dallas (co-located with FTE Global)
- 17 November 2026 – Singapore (co-located with APEX FTE EXPO Asia)
“2026 will include four more in-person meetings: a Heathrow-hosted meeting in London in March, Dublin in June, Dallas in September, and Singapore in November. These augment our regular schedule of virtual meetings,” explains Darin Juby, Head of Transformation, Future Travel Experience. “Proof of Concepts will come from both the established BOOST programme that continues on collaboratively embracing new technology such as robotics and automation, as well as potential new PoCs from our BIWG members including airlines, airports and suppliers.”
View the full FTE BIWG 2026 schedule >>Mark your diary: Heathrow-hosted meeting themed ‘Relentless Productivity’ – 16 March 2026
Heathrow will host an unmissable joint in-person meeting of two of FTE’s innovation communities – the FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group and the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – on 16 March 2026.
“The theme of the meeting will be ‘Relentless Productivity’,” Juby explains. “This ties into Heathrow having to embrace technology and innovation to be as efficient and consistent as possible due to handling a huge volume of aircraft, passengers and bags within a very limited footprint across all hours of the operational day.”
Further details on activities around the meeting, including baggage innovation tours, will be announced soon.
FTE Smart Ramp & Baggage Innovation Summit
In addition to the plethora of BIWG activities planned for 2026, the brand-new FTE Smart Ramp & Baggage Innovation Summit takes place as part of APEX FTE EMEA, which is co-located with APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing in Dublin on 9-11 June 2026. The FTE Smart Ramp & Baggage Innovation Summit creates a dedicated platform for sharing progress, accelerating innovation, and defining the future of ramp and baggage transformation together. It unites airlines, airports, ground handlers, manufacturers, and solution providers to collaborate on one shared goal: creating safer, smarter, and more efficient ramp & baggage operations through innovation, automation, and cross industry partnership. The Summit will feature a major segment on the pioneering BOOST programme, which spun out of the BIWG and aims to eliminate physical strain and improve working conditions for baggage workers by rapidly adopting advanced technologies, with Proof of Concepts across Schiphol, Avinor, Brussels Airport, Heathrow and Incheon.
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MCO-hosted FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group event in pictures – inspiration-filled sessions, collaborative discussions, valuable networking, exclusive tours, and more
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