Airport Experience® News - Conference Issue 2026

DAY 2 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 (CONTINUED)

Property Managers’ Luncheon Note: Airport Personnel Only

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Delta Mezzanine 6-9

Sponsored by: HMSHost and Hudson

Session 4: $30-plus An Hour? Responding To Escalating Labor Challenges Wages for employees in airport food & beverage and retail operations have increased significantly in recent years, with additional growth anticipated in the near future. In some jurisdictions, local governments have enacted living wage ordinances, mandating substantially higher pay for airport workers. These rising labor costs are creating mounting pressure on concessionaires, who must navigate the complex challenge of delivering high-quality service to travelers, ensuring fair compensation for employees, and maintaining financial viability. This panel will explore the current landscape and discuss strategies to address and mitigate these evolving challenges.

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tennessee Ballroom

• 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Part 1: The LAX Wage Battle Part 1 Presenter: Nicholas Crews, CEO and Managing Partner, Crews & Affiliated Companies

• 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Part 2: Wage and Labor Challenges Throughout North American Airports Part 2 Moderator: Nicholas Crews, CEO and Managing Partner, Crews & Affiliated Companies

Part 2 Panelists: Carlos Bernal, Chief Executive Officer United States, Areas USA Christine Lindenmuth, Director, Concessions & Quality Assurance, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Benedict Ma, Director Passenger Retail Experience, Vancouver Airport Authority

General Session Room Sponsored by: Concessions International, LLC

Refreshment And Networking Break

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Tennessee Ballroom 3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tennessee Ballroom

Session 5: Business Pitch Showcase Watch entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their concepts to a panel of seasoned airport and concessions experts—who won’t hold back in sharing real-world feedback on what it takes to succeed in the high-stakes airport environment.

Companies and Presenters:

Patrick King Woollen Company Robert Paterson, Vice President Operations

Java House Brands Paul Hillen, Senior Vice President and General Manager

Intuitive AI Brian Sano, Head of Strategy

DalMoros Fresh Pasta David Caruso, President

Interactive Airport Intelligence Bennett Nast, Managing Director & Founder

Session Sponsored by: Mission Yogurt General Session Room Sponsored by: Concessions International, LLC

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AX NEWS MARCH 2026