Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2024

feedback from both employees and travelers as crucial to building community in the travel experience. The panel also emphasized that to combat industry burnout, a dual-prong approach — of both listening to and encouraging fellow coworkers to set boundaries — is an effective strategy for career longevity. Sailer advised fellow leaders to “recognize the signs” of burnout early, address concerns and wholly trust employees to foster a productive and more positive work environment. But if any group of executives was prepared to tackle the problem head on, Magnum Reed noted, it was women, adding that female executives are well-attuned to feel “empathy with individuals who are struggling to balance it all.” The most rewarding aspect of their work, the panel concluded, has been engaging in the life cycle of mentor-mentee and sponsor relationships. Having mentors has encouraged Allen to push herself beyond her comfort zone and embrace the motto: “Believe in yourself, and if you don’t, find someone who does.” For Magnum Reed, embracing unexpected mentorship — in her case, male mentors in a female-led company — gave her perspective as she moved forward as a female leader. And Moore’s mentors taught her the power of radical candor as well as an ethos of raising others up, she added: “My success is someone else’s success.”

Above: Khalia Moore of SEA says a multi-cultural, multi generational team is integral to fostering a creative, productive environment.

Above: Nikki Tinsley Harland (center) of Paradies Lagardère, took home the coveted Outstanding Woman in Leadership award. Also pictured are AXN’s Melissa K. Montes and Minute Suites’ Dan Solomon.

Recognizing Excellence Each year, AXN seeks to honor the industry’s best with its awards program. The Women in Leadership awards were presented at the breakfast, while other awards were announced at the conference’s closing event. After the breakfast and panel discussion, sponsor Dan Solomon, co-founder and director of Minute Suites announced this year’s winners. On the airport side, the Outstanding Woman in Leadership award was given

to Ingrid Hairston, vice president of properties and business development for the Birmingham Airport Authority. Among operators, Nikki Tinsley Harland, chief operating officer for Paradies Lagardère , took home the coveted Outstanding Woman in Leadership award.

DIRECTOR OUTLOOK Four Airport Leaders Share Challenges, Achievements and Mistakes

BY CAROL WARD The annual Directors Panel at the Airport Experience Conference capped the three days of educational programming. Moderator Todd Hauptli, CEO of the American Association of Airport Executives , led the discussion among four airport directors: Kelly Campbell, executive director of Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB); Kevin Dolliole, director of aviation for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY); Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority ; and Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority .

There are, of course, myriad challenges for airport directors even at a time of burgeoning demand for air travel. For Kreulen, who just led a major terminal renovation, one key challenge is keeping up with demand. With one capital project behind it, Nashville International Airport (BNA) is embarking o a six-year project called New Horizon.

Right: Kevin Dolliole, director of aviation for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

44

AX NEWS APRIL/MAY 2024