Airport Experience® News - Conference Issue 2026

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

CARLOS BERNAL Carlos Bernal is the CEO of Areas USA Carlos’s leadership resume includes transformative roles at renowned organizations such as Areas, Delaware North, Westfield,

and HMSHost, consistently delivering growth through strategic vision, operational discipline, and people-first leadership Carlos currently serves as a board member on the ACI-NA World Business Partner Board, the Airport Restaurant &Retail Association the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

SIMON ANDERSON Simon Anderson has dedicated his career to helping business leaders and organizations move beyond resilience to Be Future Ready™ As a futurist keynote speaker and

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

applied foresight expert since 2011, he transforms how leaders think about and prepare for tomorrow's challenges and opportunities Simon has delivered keynotes in person across four continents and 30+ U S states, while connecting with audiences around the world through virtual events As the founder of Venture Foresight, Simon works with executive teams to develop strategic foresight capabilities essential for long-term success He co-authored the award-winning book Foresight 20/20 and his insights featured in global media have established him as a leading voice in applied foresight

States With more than 50 monthly viewers and a network that spans 500,000 hotel rooms 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 Bibbens frequently appears on platforms such as CNBS, Bloomberg, TD Ameritrade and the Cheddar network

DAVID BISSET David Bisset is the chief development officer at Paradies Lagardère, where he leads business development, marketing, procurement, and design & construction A

CHRISTOPHER ASARO As Holt Construction’s President, Christopher Asaro sets the daily direction for the firm’s team of over 280 professionals Asaro and his leadership team have

New Zealand national, Bisset has more than 20 years of experience across the Pacific, Asia, and the Middle East to his role, most recently serving as a partner with a U S -based private equity firm focusing on American and Middle East-based investments, including in the aviation sector Bisset also worked with Lagardère Travel Retail for 10 years, holding many senior-level positions

consistently increased the firm’s revenue since 2001, strategically opening offices in key geographic areas throughout the nation Considered a national aviation construction leader, Asaro has fostered key relationships throughout the country Asaro has instituted a culture at Holt that focuses on client service and satisfaction while also maintaining a family atmosphere at the 100+ year-old firm Asaro has overseen programs within JFK, LGA, BOS, EWR, DFW and IAH Airport among other major airports and facilities in the nation He is currently overseeing major concession programs within JFK International Airport’s New Terminal One, in addition to a future large-scale concession program within IAH Intercontinental Airport, Terminal B

RYAN BLACK Ryan Black is the CEO and co-founder of SAMBAZON, the pioneering brand that introduced Organic and Fair Trade açaí to the world Black founded the company in 2000

alongside his brother Jeremy and friend Ed after a surf trip to Brazil, where he recognized the potential of certified açaí as a catalyst for sustainable development in the Amazon Rainforest Under his leadership, SAMBAZON has become the global leader in açaí, with products available in over 30,000 U S retail locations and more than 50 countries Black is now leveraging the company’s industry expertise and best-in-class proprietary supply chain to grow SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls' locations in both traditional and nontraditional venues

PASCAL BÉLANGER Pascal Bélanger is the senior vice-president of commercial development and operations for Plaza Premium Group (PPG), Americas Prior to joining PPG, Bélanger served

as the executive vice-president, airport and commercial operations at Winnipeg Airports Authority for 12 years Previously, Bélanger held positions at Aeroport de Quebec Inc, where he served as the director of development and communications in 2004 and later became the president and chief operating officer in 2006 During his tenure, he successfully provided strategic and operational leadership at Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport (YQB), including the planning and construction of the airport’s major redevelopment project, the Québec City airport terminal

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AX NEWS MARCH 2026