Airport Experience® News - Conference Issue 2024

A robust exchange of ideas, a dissection of shared challenges and potential solutions, and sharing of best practices is crucial to the success of educational sessions at the Airport Experience Conference This year’s group of speakers brings their knowledge and enthusiasm to the table over three days of programming Below is a brief introduction to the speakers and moderators who will share their expertise on the main stage this year SPEAKERS & MODERATORS

LYNNWOOD BIBBENS As the CEO & founder of ReachTV, Lynnwood Bibbens has led the brand to become the preeminent black-owned MBE-certified airport television network in the United

States With more than 50 million monthly viewers and a network that spans approximately 500,000 hotel rooms and across 90-plus U S airports, Bibbens secured ReachTV’s pivotal seven-year distribution contract with the NFL, a broadcasting alliance with LIV Golf, and a content partnership with TikTok In addition to his work with ReachTV, Bibbens frequently appears on platforms like CNBC, Bloomberg, TD Ameritrade, and the Cheddar network

NYIKA ALLEN Nyika Allen is the senior director of global operational excellence at Vantage Airport Group, spearheading the development of operational and guest service excellence

KELLY CAMPBELL Kelly Campbell is the executive director of aviation at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB) Campbell’s tenure at LBB began in March of 2001 as

across the global Vantage network Previously, Allen was the assistant director of aviation at the Port of Oakland, overseeing strategic planning and revenue generation at Oakland International Airport Her achievements also include a transformative tenure as director of aviation for the City of Albuquerque, where she managed Albuquerque International Sunport and Double Eagle II Airports

the airport accountant In September 2003, she was promoted to deputy director and in April 2014 became executive director Campbell is active with both the national organization the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and its South Central Chapter (SCC), and is also a member of the board of directors for the Texas Commercial Airports Association JOHN CUGASI John Cugasi is a consultant for Paradies Lagardère, where he has served as a vice president of business development and senior vice president of planning and development His career spans 30 years of progressive experience in business development, finance and marketing, including leadership positions at leading concessionaires as well as serving as the director of concessions for the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

GILBERT ARANZA Gilbert Aranza is the president of Star Concessions, Ltd , a food and beverage operator and management company that owns and operates food, beverage and retail

concessions at airports, primarily at Dallas Love Field, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport Franchised and licensed concepts include Campisi’s, Cantina Laredo, Chili’s, Cool River Café, Dallas Cowboys Club, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Pizza Hut and Whataburger

PAULINE ARMBRUST Pauline Armbrust is the founder and former CEO of Airport Revenue News (now Airport Experience News) Armbrust first published ARN in 1995 as a newsletter, which then

KEVIN DOLLIOLE Kevin Dolliole began his aviation career at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) before going on to lead the San Antonio and St Louis

transitioned to a magazine format in 2003 ARN was the first publication to exclusively cover the airport concessions business at a time when airports were evolving from traditional programs to the vibrant centers they are today Through her tenure at ARN, Armbrust gained nearly 20 years of insight into the airport concessions business as well as success in building a brand that continues to have lasting industry impacts

Airports With more than 40 years of experience, he now serves as director of aviation for MSY, where he manages operational, organizational, and development initiatives He currently serves as chair of the board of directors for Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), is a member of the Airports Council International-World (ACI-World) governing board, the American Association of Airport Executives’ (AAAE) policy review committee, and previously served on the board of directors for Airports Consultants Council

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AX NEWS MARCH 2024