Airport Experience® News - Conference 2023

JUSTIN BLATSTEIN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OTG Each year, AXN strives to offer a broad array of speakers to educate, enlighten and enthrall our attendees. This year is no exception, with experts speaking on sustainability in airport kitchens, ACDBE best practices, retail trends and myriad other topics. Below, check out the credentials and backgrounds of those who will shape the content for the 2023 sessions. SPEAKERS & MODERATORS

Justin Blatstein is executive vice president of OTG. Over the last decade, Justin has played a critical

role in expanding the company’s CIBO markets, which includes overseeing merchandising efforts to maximize sales opportunities, SKU rationalization to create operational efficiencies, and curating a true gourmet assortment that sets the bar for a true OTG experience in the grab and go space.

ANDREA ALBO DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

RICK BLATSTEIN CEO OTG

Andrea Albo is deputy chief of staff at Denver International Airport (DEN), leading a wide range

of macro-level programs and projects related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, such as the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA). Prior to her current role, she served as the DEN senior vice president of culture and strategy where she led precedent setting work with the commerce hub, strategic planning, continuous improvement, wellness, employee engagement, ADA/ Title VI, workforce development, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts. Prior to DEN, Albo served as chief of staff for the Denver Sheriff Department leading large-scale policy and operational reform efforts; and spent eleven years with the Denver Department of Human Services.

OTG is led by CEO Rick Blatstein. With nearly 30 years of experience in the entertainment and food

service industries, Blatstein ventured into airports in 1996. Setting high expectations for himself and his team, he has grown OTG into one of the largest privately held airport food operators in the United States, from a dozen locations to more than 350 today.

KEN BUCKNER CONCESSIONS PLANNING CONSULTANT UNISON CONSULTING

Ken Buckner is a concessions planning consultant at Unison Consulting, working with airports across

the hub size spectrum to optimize concessions program productivity and passenger engagement. Buckner has developed solicitation and leasing strategies and provided RFP implementation support for a range of airports, and has contributed to the development of concessions master plans and airport/terminal expansion planning for airports. Prior to Unison, Buckner worked at Westfield Airports (now URW) in both a regional marketing director capacity and as a member of on-site concessions management teams.

PETER AMARO CEO MASTER CONCESSIONAIR

Peter Amaro is the CEO of Master ConcessionAir, LLC, an ACDBE company which he co-founded

1998, and which has since grown to annual revenues of more than $200 million. MCA has since graduated from the program and is operating as a prime. Amaro’s vision was to provide a unique, creative, and engaging translation of local brands, partners and chefs, as well as a balance of national brands, with a foundation built upon exceptional operations and execution. Amaro has a broad background in retail and airport hospitality design & development, logistics, operations, with more than 40 years of experience in fine dining, casual dining, quick serve food, stadium, and arena concessions, themed special events catering and banquet facilities management.

KEVIN BURKE PRESIDENT AND CEO ACI-NA

KevinM. Burke joinedAirports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) as president and CEO in

January of 2014. During his tenure, Burke has expanded ACI-NA’s reach and influence by amplifying the important role airports play in everyday lives, unifying the industry behind shared priorities, and advancing a common cause with non-traditional allies. In addition to his government relations background and experience managing associations, Burke is a leader who serves the airport industry as a passionate advocate for legislative and regulatory policies that strengthen the ability for airports to serve their passengers, customers, and communities. Prior to joining ACI-NA, he served for 13 years as president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA).

ALEX ANSON CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 3SIXTY DUTY FREE AND MORE

Alex Anson is currently the chief operating officer at 3Sixty Duty Free and More, one of the leading

global omnichannel travel retailers. Anson has more than 25 years of experience both in travel retail and domestic retail, working for industry leading retailers such as Tesco Stores UK, The Nuance Group and Clicks Group South Africa.

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