SPAIN. Airports company Aena has named WOW Concept Executive Chairman Dimas Gimeno as Chair of the independent jury for the third edition of its Enjoy Aena Awards.
The awards, launched to recognise excellence among brands, operators and airports across Aena’s airport network, have become an established platform celebrating innovation, customer experience and commercial excellence in travel retail.
Gimeno is a well-known Spanish entrepreneur and investor in the retail and technology industries. His company WOW Concept operates two immersive department stores in Madrid that merge physical and digital shopping experiences.
As reported when entries opened in June, this year’s Enjoy Aena Awards programme has been expanded to reflect the increasingly diverse commercial landscape of airports and their role in shaping the passenger journey.
Joining Gimeno on the jury are nine senior figures drawn from retail, aviation, marketing, consultancy, tourism, payments, mobility, gastronomy and media. They are:
- Miguel Ángel Suárez Cabrera, Commercial, Marketing and Communications Director, Binter
- Lucía Angulo, Chairwoman and CEO, McCann Spain
- Beatriz Navarro, Chief Marketing Officer, Renault, and President, AMKT
- Javier Vello Cuadrado, Head of Business Consulting and Transformation, EY Studio
- Juan Manuel Guimeráns, Chairman, Spain Film Commission
- Carolina Seabra, Vice President of Product Management, Mastercard
- Estanislao de Mata Pérez, Business Adviser and former Executive Vice President, Sixt
- Joxe Mari Aizega, Managing Director, Basque Culinary Center
- Marta Ariño, CEO and Publisher, Grupo Zinet Media Global
Aena said the jury’s composition reflects the convergence of multiple sectors within today’s airports, where retail, food & beverage, mobility, tourism, technology, culture and entertainment collectively shape the traveller experience.
The 2025 awards were judged by an independent panel chaired by Mango Chairman of the Board and CEO Toni Ruiz. He was joined by industry leaders from fashion, aviation, media, finance and travel, including The Moodie Davitt Report Founder and Chairman Martin Moodie.
The third edition of the Enjoy Aena Awards broadens the scope of the programme, recognising partners across food & beverage, retail, car rental and advertising, alongside awards for airports within the Aena network, the best travel influencer and an honorary recipient.
Previous winners have included Lagardère Travel Retail, SSP, Avolta, Areas, Pansfood and Samsonite, while airports such as Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Recife and Asturias have also been honoured.
Passenger feedback will once again form part of the judging process for the airport categories, complementing the jury’s assessment.
Commercial operators across the Aena network and airports themselves may submit entries until 20 July through the official Enjoy Aena Awards website here.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 27 October at Madrid’s Teatro Real. ✈
