Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2025

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN AIRPORT CONCESSIONS The AX Awards Gala Recognized The Industry’s Best

BY CAROL WARD

Some of the industry’s best airport concessions teams, concessions operators, concepts and brands were recognized April 1 at the annual Airport Experience Awards Gala. The event capped the 2025 Airport Experience Conference, held March 28 – April 1 in Washington DC. Nearly 450 industry executives gathered for the top-tier event, beginning with a cocktail hour sponsored by Crews Hospitality . AXN Vice President and Publisher Melissa K. Montes welcomed the crowd by recapping some of the highlights of the conference, adding, “At AXN, we are honored to serve as a platform for these critical conversations – amplifying your voices, addressing the challenges that keep you up at night, celebrating your achievements, and helping to shape the path forward. Together, we will continue to drive this industry toward to a thriving and dynamic future.” Montes also welcomed Larissa Dubose, senior director of Vino Volo , a Paradies Lagardère company and wine sponsor for the event, to the stage for a toast to start the evening.

Above: AXN Vice President and Publisher Melissa K. Montes welcomes the crowd of 450 people to the annual AX Awards Gala.

Left: AXN’s Melissa K. Montes and Larissa Dubose, senior director of Vino Volo, lead a toast to kick off the Gala evening.

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AX NEWS MAY 2025