Airport Experience® News - Retail Issue 2026

“‘Meet the Maker’ is an ongoing series of in ‑ store events where we invite local artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their products directly to travelers,” says Emily Baker, North American vice president of category management and discretionary retail for Avolta . “It’s an opportunity for customers to meet the people behind the brands we carry, hear their stories and experience their products firsthand.” Baker adds that these events, including product tastings, live demonstrations, signing events and interactive experiences, add to their stores’ sense of place in the airport. “Each event brings energy into our stores while allowing us to highlight the diverse creators who help define the character and culture of each region.” Indeed, these events put faces to the local products travelers see in airport stores, highlighting the authenticity of the products while also strengthening the airport’s connection to the local community it serves.

Above: When Avolta’s duty free store opened at Vancouver International Airport last year, the company tapped local gin brand Empress for a tasting event.

Community Connection Plenty Mercantile is an Oklahoma City-based small business that champions sustainable, locally made goods, and this translates to its Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) location with Paradies Lagardère as well. “One of our primary motivators for having a Plenty location in the airport was to be a catalyst for the amazing local brands we stock streetside, so seeing Paradies go over and beyond to recognize them with its Meet the Artisans program was very aligned with our goals for the store,” says Brittney Matlock, who founded Plenty Mercantile with her mother Traci Walton and serves as CEO.

Opposite page, Above: Avolta’s “Meet the Maker” program is an ongoing series of in‑store events, including product tastings, live demonstrations, signing events and interactive experiences. The East River Market at JFK International Airport is one of many retail locations that hosts makers in-store.

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AX NEWS SEPTEMBER 2026