Airport Experience® News - Pre-Conference Issue 2025

The Operator Awards Concessions operators vie to bring the best experience possible to travelers. Innovated concepts, attractive storefronts and extraordinary customer service all play a role in achieving that goal, and these AX Awards categories are designed to recognize the companies that do it best. New this year is the Best Local Management Team award, which garnered a whopping 22 nominations. This award recognizes excellence in local teams rather than the operator overall. These teams excel in partnering with the airport to provide a desirable F&B and/or retail selection coupled with excellent customer service, resulting in an extraordinary passenger experience.

Airport With The Best Commercial Team – Medium/Small Airports • Calgary International Airport

• Jacksonville International Airport • San Jose International Airport • Kansas City International Airport • Edmonton International Airport • Houston Hobby Airport Airport With The Best Overall Program • George Bush Intercontinental Airport • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport • Nashville International Airport • San Francisco International Airport

Best Overall Restaurateur – Large Operators • Paradies Lagardere • OTG Management • HMSHost • SSP America

Airport With The Highest Regard for Customer Service • Orlando International Airport • Nashville International Airport • Philadelphia International Airport • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport • San Francisco International Airport • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Airport With The Best Program Design • Los Angeles International Terminal 3 • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Best Overall Restaurateur – Small Operators • LaTrelle’s Management

• Pappas Restaurants • High Flying Foods • Proper Foods • Newslink Group

Best Overall Retailer – Large Operators • Duty Free Americas • Hudson • Paradies Lagardère • WH Smith North America Best Overall Retailer – Small Operators • Love From USA Group • Newslink Group

Airport With The Best Community Engagement Initiative • Kansas City International Airport and OHM Group, for BBQ Challenge • YVR and Pacific Autism Family Network, for Paper Planes Cafe • Denver International Airport, for Business Development Training Academy • John Wayne Airport, for Air Academy • JFKIAT for Street Market / Arts & Culture Program Best Local Management Team • Osiel Lazo/LaTrelle’s Management Corp. Team at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport • Delaware North Team at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport • Avolta Team at Calgary International Airport • PhaseNext Hospitality’s Buffalo Wild Wings Team at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport • Crews Hospitality Team at Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National • Concessions International Team at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Best Sustainability Initiative In Airports • Areas USA – Energy Initiatives • Minneapolis-St. Paul International – HydroStations (Pentair and Hope Hydration) • Paradies Lagardère – TerraCycle Glove Recycling Initiative • Delaware North and Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International – “Bee the Difference” Campaign • John Wayne Airport – Edible Food Donation Program • OTG Management – Green Restaurant Association Partnership

Best ACDBE Operator – Food & Beverage • Phase Next Hospitality • Aero Service Group • Tyrone Nabbie • Midway Restaurant Development/Fresh Creations • Half Moon Empanadas • Fox Pubs USA, LLC Best ACDBE Operator – Retail or Services • DFW Concessions Management Services • Amy Billings

• Departure Media • TransMedia LLC • Love From USA Group

Restaurateur With The Highest Regard For Customer Service – Large Operators • Paradies Lagardère • Delaware North • HMSHost • SSP America

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AX NEWS FEBRUARY 2025