The 2025 Airport Retail and Commercial Forum landed in Sydney for the first time, and what a landing it was. Held at the Sofitel Wentworth from 22–23 July, with the Ground Transport Forum kicking things off on Monday 21 July, this year’s event brought together a powerhouse group of airport operators, commercial partners, and industry innovators from across Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Southeast Asia. So of course Cater Care was there to join them all, with this year being the first year we attended as a stall-holder.
Hosted by the Australian Airports Association (AAA), alongside The Mercurius Group and The Moodie Davitt Report, the forum is now in its fourth year. With this year’s theme as ‘Lessons from Within & Beyond the Airport Environment’, the two-day event unpacked everything from evolving consumer behaviours to commercial innovation, retail trends, and the technology reshaping the passenger journey.
Beyond the presentations, the real value was in connecting with like-minded industry professionals and hearing how others are tackling shared challenges. Conversations covered everything from smart investment in an era of constant change to the realities of fit-out costs per square metre – crucial considerations when creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional in high-traffic environments.
Looking ahead, major events like the 2032 Olympics will drive big changes across the sector, and forums like this help the industry prepare, collaborate, and stay ahead.
We were also delighted to attend the Awards Dinner on Tuesday evening. It was a fantastic chance to connect with industry peers, reflect on shared wins, and celebrate the incredible people who keep our airports thriving – all while eating fantastic food, of course!
While we didn’t take home a trophy this time, we’re incredibly proud of the Cater Care Retail team members who were nominated for their dedication and impact:
Their contributions may often happen behind the scenes, but their ripple effects are felt by customers, clients and colleagues every day.
Congratulations to all the award nominees, and a big thank you to the AAA and event partners for creating a space to connect, share ideas, and push airport experiences forward.
