Engineering Manager

A conversation with Simonas Juodagalvis, Head of Business Development at Aviovis Group. 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 [...] September 2, 2026 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 its colleagues Kostadin Ganchev and Dimitar Dimitrov. Ahead of the event, Dreamix 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: Dreamix aim to choose topics that are the most relevant to today's industry landscape. Dreamix always look at what would be most interesting and useful to its 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. Dreamix is 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.

Dreamix wins Gold stevie(r) Award in 2026 International Business awards(r). The 23rd Annual International Business Awards(R) are the world's premier business awards competition, recognizing outstanding organizations, executives, entrepreneurs, and teams worldwide. The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide - public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2026 [...] August 20, 2026 The 23rd Annual International Business Awards(R) are the world's premier business awards competition, recognizing outstanding organizations, executives, entrepreneurs, and teams worldwide. The International Business Awards are the world's premier business awards program. All individuals and organizations worldwide - public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small - are eligible to submit nominations. The 2026 IBAs received entries from organizations in 82 nations and territories. Winners will be celebrated during a gala event at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse on Wednesday, 28 October. More than 3,400 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Company of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Startup of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year, and Executive of the Year, among others. Dreamix won in the Computer Software category for medium-size companies! Dreamix were selecred based on its combination of measurable business impact, customer success, technological innovation, and a distinctive people-first culture. Here are some of the judges' comments: Dreamix has put forward a remarkable proposal that highlights its significant impact on business, innovative approaches and commitment to a people-centered culture. A high-performing, innovation-led organization with strong execution credibility and measurable business impact. I particularly appreciate Dreamix's philosophy of taking on projects it genuinely believes in. This level of selectivity and commitment is likely to foster stronger customer relationships while also contributing to higher employee engagement and satisfaction. Stevie Award nominations were evaluated by more than 200 business professionals worldwide serving as judges on 9 specialized committees. Stevie Award winners were determined based on judges' average scores during the independent judging process in June and July. "Dreamix is honoured to receive this Gold Stevie(R) Award - says Georgi Nikolov, CFO of Dreamix - This achievement reflects its culture, its commitment to its clients, and the quality of its services. Dreamix thank the Stevie Awards for the honor and congratulate all fellow Stevie Award winners and nominees. "The 2026 International Business Awards winners represent the very best in business achievement from organizations of all sizes and across virtually every industry," said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. "This year's winners have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, resilience, and results in a highly competitive global field. We congratulate every Stevie Award winner and look forward to celebrating their achievements together in Paris on October 28." Details about The International Business Awards and the lists of Stevie Award winners are available at http://IBA.Stevieawards.com About the Stevie(R) Awards Founded in 2002, the Stevie Awards are widely recognized as the world's premier business awards programs, honoring outstanding achievements in the workplace worldwide. The name "Stevie" is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, meaning "crowned." The Stevie Awards include nine international business awards programs: Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards German Stevie Awards Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards The American Business Awards(R) The International Business Awards(R) Stevie Awards for Great Employers Stevie Awards for Women in Business Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service Each year, the Stevie Awards receive more than 12,000 nominations from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories, recognizing organizations of every size and the professionals behind their success. Learn more at www.StevieAwards.com.