Nancy Stern

Nancy Stern has been the Vancouver Airport Authority's in-house architect for over 25 years. The role includes terminal planning, overseeing architectural design and collaboration with contractors and stakeholders for all capital projects, and the review of all terminal and landside tenant permit applications. She has given numerous presentations at Passenger Terminal Expo and other conferences, showcasing YVR's approach to creating a sense of place that enhances the passenger journey, positioning YVR within the top 20 global airports.

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Introduction by Conference Chairs

Conversation: Reimagining airports – collaboration, innovation and the future of airport design

The airports of the future will not just manage growth – they will redefine the entire travel experience. The traditional model of airports as transit hubs is outdated. Instead, they must be reimagined as seamless, high-efficiency gateways that remove unnecessary processes, giving passengers more time and choice. The next generation of airports will integrate cutting-edge technology, sustainability and multimodal transportation while fostering deeper collaboration with airlines, regulators and service providers. In this keynote interview, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, will discuss how DXB is managing record-breaking passenger growth while preparing for the future with Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC). Set to become the world’s largest airport by 2033, DWC offers a unique opportunity to rethink airport design, from seamless biometrics and smart automation to sustainable infrastructure and the integration of urban air mobility (UAM) and aerial vehicles. Griffiths will share insights on bridging today’s challenges with the bold vision of tomorrow, creating a blueprint for airports that are smarter, greener and more connected than ever before.