USA. Technology entrepreneur Chris Hartman – co-founder of AtYourGate, the first multi-airport digital ordering and delivery company – has joined global airport lounge and experiences business Airport Dimensions. He assumes the role of Director, Business Development Digital Experiences in its Americas team.
Hartman brings over 20 years of business development and technology product experience to the role, including almost seven years with AtYourGate, where he served as Customer Experience Officer until departing the business last month.
“This is an excellent opportunity to continue my quest to optimise where digital and physical experiences converge within the world of travel” – Airport Dimensions Americas Director, Business Development Digital Experiences Chris Hartman
During his time with AtYourGate, he negotiated multiple partnerships, including a co-marketing collaboration with Servy that led to a +50% year-on-year expansion of airport business growth. He also spearheaded the acquisition of Airport Sherpa and the subsequent integration of its technology into the AtYourGate platform.
A note from Airport Dimensions on LinkedIn said Hartman “is perfectly placed to drive our digital products and propositions”.
Speaking to The Moodie Davitt Report today, Hartman said this of his new challenge: “Airport Dimensions has ambitious plans for expanding further into the digital world. Given that the airport space is in the early stages of development and adoption, this is a fantastic time to shape and establish our position as industry leaders.”
One of Pennsylvania-based Hartman’s main initial responsibilities will be overseeing the growth of Connecta, Airport Dimensions’ digital passenger loyalty platform.
Connecta is a developing ecommerce and relationship management platform offering airports what Airport Dimensions describes as a fast and future-proofed approach to engaging travellers and shaping performance on the airport journey.
The platform – which is accessible from a smartphone – allows the user to shop for duty free, order food, book a lounge space, pay for parking and more while collecting valuable data to develop and tailor experiences.
Q&A: The Moodie Davitt Report’s Senior Business Editor questioned Hartman about his new role.
Mark Lane: What is it about this new challenge with Airport Dimensions that excites you?
Chris Hartman: This is an excellent opportunity to continue my quest to optimise where digital and physical experiences converge within the world of travel. Air travel is unique in that it’s not something that can come directly to you – going to the airport is a necessary part of the journey. I think there’s much opportunity to continue to optimise where physical and digital meet.
This is a great team with a great vision and a reputation for being world-class at what they do. Airport Dimensions has ambitious plans for expanding further into the digital world. Given that the airport space is in the early stages of development and adoption, this is a fantastic time to shape and establish our position as industry leaders.
What will the early focus in your new role be?
While Airport Dimensions is certainly well-known within the industry, there’s a story to tell about how we are well-positioned to capitalise on expanding digital offerings in the travel space because of our association with the best providers of digital travel solutions.
These include Priority Pass, the world’s most extensive travel benefit membership programme; Servy, the largest provider of airport digital food and beverage marketplaces; Inflyter, a fast-growing provider of digital duty free retail; and Valuedynamx, a leading online rewards and loyalty platform.
My early focus will be to hit the road to tell that story to the world.
What are your goals for Airport Dimensions?
In the very near future, I’d like to see the company recognised as a digital thought leader in the travel space, with solutions implemented in airports worldwide.
What potential do you see for digital that hasn’t already been exploited in the airport space?
I’m fond of saying that we in the travel industry are all stakeholders in the stewardship of our shared customer’s journey, from when they wake up on day of travel to when they lay their heads on the pillow that night.
We’re still very early on as an industry in exploring leveraging digital experiences and the vast amounts of data they generate to enhance that journey and those experiences.
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes a regular Newsletter titled Airport Consumer Experience, in association with Airport Dimensions, dedicated to airport guest services and experiences.
To subscribe free of charge please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com headed ‘Airport Customer Experience’. All stories are permanently archived on the Airport Consumer Experience page on this website.
