Airport Experience® News - Pre-Conference Issue 2026

As airports warm up to host collegiate championships, international tournaments and everything in between, their concessions partners are fine-tuning their operational and creative strategies to prepare for the festivities. Their first play? Managing logistics. OHM Concession Group , currently slated to help host several matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Kansas City International Airport (MCI), “has developed a comprehensive event-day operating plan tied directly to Kansas City’s World Cup match schedule,” says Milan Patel, president and CEO of OHM, with the concessionaire adjusting staffing levels, creating multilingual signage, coordinating with vendors and extending operating hours at their restaurants to streamline service throughout the tournament. Paradies Lagardère has experienced sports-fan related bumps before. “We like to start early, working closely with our airport partners to map out every detail before, during, and after the event,” says Michael Pietryka, senior director of marketing and communications. The company has worked with airports on everything from the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four basketball tournament to both the Summer and Winter Olympics in what are known as the brand’s “Hot Market Events”.

Above, Right: Paradies Lagardère has worked with airports on everything from the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four basketball tournament to both the Summer and Winter Olympics

The company’s experience serving as the official retail sponsor for Coca-Cola during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games “gave us firsthand insight into scaling operations, managing crowds of international travelers and creating memorable, event-driven experiences,” says Pietryka, adding that “more than 60 years in this industry has taught us that preparation is everything: staffing up, planning activations that bring some fun to the traveler journey, anticipating elevated inventory needs, and making sure service never slips.

“Each airport is unique, so our focus is on listening, collaborating and building plans that not only meet expectations but really enhance the experience for everyone coming through,” he adds. Avolta , which has been in discussion with partner airports about potential collaborations on upcoming World Cup tournaments, Super Bowls, and other special events, prioritizes staffing and supply chain planning to ensure a seamless customer experience during large-scale events, says Hope Remoundos, chief commercial officer, North America. She

Left: WHSmith North America goes all-in on event-related merchandise despite challenges of creating limited-edition products while abiding by licensing agreements.

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AX NEWS FEBRUARY 2026