Airport Experience® News - Pre-Conference Issue 2026

Right: AXN Publisher Melissa K. Montes will again host the annual Airport Experience Awards Gala, to be held February 25 in Nashville.

OPERATOR AWARDS

Best Overall Restaurateur – Large Operator • SSP America • Paradies Lagardère • HMSHost • OTG Management • OHM Concession Group • Areas • Jackmont Hospitality Best Overall Restaurateur – Small Operator • LaTrelle’s • Bambuza • High Flying Foods • Aero Service • The Grove Best Overall Retailer – Large Operator • Paradies Lagardère • WHSmith North America • Hudson/Avolta • Dufry Best Overall Retailer– Small Operator • NewsLink • ARI North America • Cediel Concessions Management

Retailer With The Highest Regard for Customer Service - Small Operators • Johnston & Murphy • Be Relax • NewsLink

Best ACDBE Operator – Food & Beverage • Olive & Finch • Mission Yogurt • M2 Concepts • E&K Retail Inc • Aero Service Group • Nuts on Clark

Best ACDBE Operator – Retail • Gameway • Airport Retail Group • Minute Suites • Love From USA Group • CRS Sophisticated Solutions

Restaurateur With The Highest Regard for Customer Service - Large Operators • SSP America • Areas

• Paradies Lagardère • OTG Management • HMSHost • Concessions International

Best Local Concessions Management Team – Large Airports • WHSmith North America at LaGuardia Airport • Villa Restaurant Group at Newark International Airport • OHM Concession Group at Salt Lake City International Airport • OTG Management at LaGuardia Airport • Airport Retail Group at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport • High Flying Foods at San Diego International Airport Best Local Concessions Management Team - Medium/Small Airports • WHSmith at Palm Springs International Airport • Fresquez Concessions at Albuquerque International Sunport • Bambuza Hospitality Group at John Wayne Airport, Orange County • Areas at Houston P. Hobby Airport • Firkin Hospitality at Halifax Stanfield International Airport • SSP America at Spokane International Airport

Restaurateur With The Highest Regard for Customer Service - Small Operators • LaTrelle’s • High Flying Foods • Mission Yogurt • Skyport Hospitality • Grove Bay Crawford JV LLC • Firkin Hospitality Group Retailer With The Highest Regard for Customer Service - Large Operators • Paradies Lagardère • WHSmith North America • Hudson/Avolta • Dufry

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AX NEWS FEBRAURY 2026