US. Hundreds of entrepreneurs have been pursuing slots for retail and food & beverage and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWIA) following last month’s business opportunities meeting.
They had a chance to meet officials from BAA USA, the operator that will take over concessions at BWIA on 1 May from HMSHost Corp.
BAA and airport authority officials said they were pleased with the turnout at the gathering held at the BWI Airport Marriott Hotel. About 300 individuals attended to pursue leases, as well as construction, marketing and service contracts. Some of the usual proposals were submitted – such as coffee shops, restaurants and bars – and some less common ones such as a Zengars model car and gift store and a massage centre. Many local Baltimore companies such as City Dock Café are still seeking airport specialist partners.
Speaking to local reporters BAA USA regional director Mark Knight said that during the transition BAA will hire companies to run HMSHost’s businesses under new names, in addition to a few new shops. In all, about 120,000sq ft (11,152sq m) of space will be filled.
“We’re looking for a full range, national and local brands,” he said. “We hope the change over will appear relatively seamless to the public. We will have a half-dozen companies to help with the transition, then in two or three months there will be more new ones, and in the next couple of years we’ll be fully developed at 50 to 60 to 70.”
Under the DBE procedures BAA has agreed to spread at least 30% of the concessions to women- and minority-owned companies. It will also offer a fund to aid start-ups. Most workers already employed by HMSHost, with security clearance and training, are expected to stay on past the handover date.
Already chosen to take over some of HMSHost’s food & beverage businesses temporarily and looking to expand is Airport 2000 Concessions, whose partners are now investors in other local businesses, said Errol Brown, one of the partners.
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