Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2026

APRIL/MAY 2026

Dear Valued Readers,

Welcome to the post-conference issue of Airport Experience News. Thank you for being part of an exceptional Airport Experience Conference. The energy was unmistakable, a community showing up, leaning in, and moving this industry forward together. This issue will allow you to relive some of the most dynamic conference moments, from the Women in Leadership discussion to the Schmooze sessions to the newly formatted Directors’ session. At the AX Awards Gala, the industry’s best were recognized in an unforgettable celebration of excellence. Check out all of the conference coverage in the following pages, and don’t forget to peruse the “AXC in Images” section on page 44 for a glimpse at some of the memorable moments captured by our photographer. One additional highlight of this issue is coverage of the CEO Roundtable. Behind closed doors at AXC, AX Editor Carol Ward and I convened CEOs from six leading concessions companies for an in-depth discussion on key challenges facing the industry. The CEOs were frank and forthcoming, and Carol and I are truly grateful to the leaders who shared so openly. You can read all about it on page 16. As we close out AXC 2026, we extend our sincere thanks to our partners at Nashville International Airport and to all our sponsors, exhibitors and supporters for helping deliver a record-setting conference. A big thank you to the AX Team as well – together, we pulled together another amazing AXC! We hope this issue serves as both a reflection and a spark. Our team is already back in the lab, building toward 2027 in San Diego, where the next chapter is taking shape. In the meantime, our timely media suite will keep this community connected between events, bringing the conversations

and insights forward all year long. Because when this industry comes together, we lead it forward together.

Cheers and thanks,

Melissa K. Montes Vice President & Publisher Airport Experience News mel@airportxnews.com

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AX NEWS APRIL/MAY 2026