Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2024

AIRPORT OPPORTUNITIES Illustrating Industry Vibrancy, Nine Airport Representatives Shared Details About Upcoming Concessions Opportunities

BY SARAH BELING AND SALLY KRAL

One of the main topics of conversation at the 2024 Airport Experience Conference was the sheer number of airports that either have Requests for Proposals out on the street or that will be releasing RFPs in the coming year. The volume is daunting, putting pressure on airports to make their program vision and RFP response process as seamless as possible, and putting pressure on operators to choose the best bid options for their businesses going forward. Nine airports presented their concessions visions in the Airport Opportunities session. Each offered an overview of upcoming opportunities and guidance on how to connect for further information. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) In addition to celebrating its 50th year, DFW is expecting more than 80 million passengers in the fiscal year, said concessions manager Cristen Mosley. The growth means a significant need for new concepts. “Over the next seven years we’re going to have over 180 locations turning over,” with 38 opportunities this spring alone, Mosley added of the airport’s new pier, concourses, and renovations across terminals. The airport is looking for prime operators, joint ventures, and subleases in concepts including everything from travel essentials, QSR pizza, Italian cuisine, and gourmet burger restaurants, said Mosley, with opportunities for operators who share DFW’s pride in “sustainability, innovation, and our community.” Denver International Airport (DEN) Serving 25 airlines and contributing $36.4 billion annually to the region, DEN is the sixth-busiest airport in the world based on 2023 traffic, said Pamela DeChant, vice president of concessions. In “trying to solve for a lack of space,” DEN has implemented an extensive gate expansion program as well as a newly modernized Great Hall, and the airport’s 2019 RFPs won’t be enough to serve the ever-growing traveler population, said DeChant. “We’re looking for creative ways to commercialize areas that aren’t right now,” she said, with plans to release more information on the airport’s desired concepts soon. In the meantime, airport officials are asking businesses, especially ACDBE-operated brands, to stay in touch and attend the airport’s upcoming June forums.

Above: Pamela DeChant, vice president of concessions for Denver International Airport, is looking for creative ways to turn unused space into commercial areas.

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AX NEWS APRIL/MAY 2024