Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2023

Above: Attendees rose early for a pre-breakfast networking event and celebration to launch the conference.

as an Outstanding Woman in Leadership - Airports for her long-standing commitment to excellence during her 17-year tenure at DFW. “I definitely stand on the shoulders of so many women that support me and men that support me,” Campbell said. She also called out her team at DFW, who she called the “wings” that support her daily. The Outstanding Woman in Leadership - Operators award went to Maritza Haller who, as vice president of culture for High Flying Foods, was recognized as a prominent and effective leader in her field. “With this award, we honor [High Flying Foods co-founder] Dayna Meyers and many amazing women who have walked that path of leadership before us,” Haller said. “We also honor our female bartenders, servers, cashiers, cooks, dishwashers, managers, directors, executives, officers in our hospitality industry.” She also mentioned the women and men who are instrumental in supporting women along their career paths. Above, Right: Marking the first time AXN has given women-specific awards, Maritza Haller (above), vice president of culture for High Flying Foods, and Zenola Campbell (right), vice president concessions at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW),were honored as Exceptional Women in Leadership.

vice president of concessions at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority . “Just because they’re not constantly telling you how great they are, don’t assume they’re not great!” More than anything, panelists added that other women must pave the way and lift up the next generation of female executives. “We are demanding a seat at the table,” said Wideman. “We want the same opportunities as our male counterparts.” Honoring Influential Women In a move new to the AX Conference, two awards honoring women in leadership in the airport concessions industry were announced during the session. Peter Amaro Jr., CEO and co-founder of Master ConcessionAir and sponsor of the breakfast, announced the two award winners for 2023. Zenola Campbell, vice president concessions at Dal las/For t Wor th International Airport (DFW), was honored

Haller closed with this call to action to women in the industry. “My encouragement to you all is to become a women of purpose,” she said. “Be courageous enough to be yourself and to not shrink into anyone else. … Invest in your own development. And last but not least, love yourself, believe in yourself, cheer yourself but also to be kind to yourself when you make mistakes. And then others bring other women alongside with you. Create opportunities for them. Invest in women in your work, in your family, in your community. Together, as women of purpose, we can add value to our companies, our organizations and our industry.”

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