NORTH AMERICA. Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) this week named the recipients of the 2024 ACI-NA Airport Concessions Awards, with Kansas City International Airport capturing the prestigious Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence in Airport Concessions.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Vice President of Marketing and Concessions Jaimini Erskine won the 2024 Concessions Person of the Year award.
The awards recognise airports, concessionaires and industry business partners for their work in elevating the traveller experience.
“I am proud of the strong collaboration between the airport and concessions industries to improve the passenger experience at North American airports,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.
“I applaud this year’s honorees for their hard work in solidifying partnerships with local restaurants and retail providers that benefit the public, their airports, and the communities they serve.
“Airports and their partners will continue to identify and implement strategies that will enhance the passenger experience and facilitate our industry’s growth.”
The awards were announced during a gala dinner at the 2024 ACI-NA Business of Airports Conference in Miami, Florida this week. The conference gathered nearly 800 attendees representing the commercial management, business diversity, human resources, and finance sectors in the North American airport industry.
Richard A. Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions: The Richard A. Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions is ACI-NA’s highest honour for airport concessions. This award considers the totality of an airport’s concession programme, including food service, retail, consumer services, quality, brands, sales and build-out.
Kansas City International Airport’s concessions programme, which won the award, embodies Kansas City and its rich culture, said ACI-NA. The airport has “intentionally integrated local concepts to highlight the city’s welcoming personality, its diverse culinary landscape, and unique brands.”
Concessions Person of the Year: This award recognises an airport professional who has made a significant contribution to improving the North American concessions industry.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s Jaimini Erskine won after leading a drive to bring in US$110 million of total in-terminal concession revenue at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport in 2023. Since joining MWAA in 2022, Erskine has led the redevelopment of concessions and marketing programmes at the airports.
Concept Awards:
- The 2024 Best New Food & Beverage (Full-Service Concept) award winner was Jackson Soul Food at Miami International Airport, operated by SSP America.
- The 2024 Best New Food & Beverage (Quick-Service Concept) award winner was Phoenix Magazine Café + Market at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, operated by TMG Hospitality USA.
- The 2024 Best New Local Concept award winner was Parnassus at Nashville International Airport, operated by Hudson.
- The 2024 Best New National Brand Concept award winner was Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen + Bar at Newark Liberty International Airport, operated by SSP America.
- The 2024 Best New News & Gift Concept award winner was 18th & Vine at Kansas City International Airport, operated by WHSmith North America.
- The 2024 Best New Retail Concept award winner was The Salt Table + The Salt Table Spirits at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, operated by The Salt Table.
- The 2024 Best New Passenger Experience Concept (Airport Operator) award winner was Musqueam Gathering Place at Vancouver International Airport, operated by Vancouver Airport Authority.
- The 2024 Best New Passenger Experience Concept (Concessionaire) award winner was Find the Extraordinary Inside at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, operated by Clear Channel Outdoor, Airports Division.
- The 2024 Best New Non-Terminal Revenue Innovation Concept (Concessionaire) award winner was Park YYC at Calgary International Airport, operated by The Calgary Airport Authority.
Best Employee Recognition Program Awards:
- The 2024 Best Airport Employee Recognition Program award winner was Boston Logan International Airport.
- The 2024 Best Concessionaire Employee Recognition Program award winner was HMSHost.
Reacting to the award for Hudson and Parnassus Books, Avolta President and CEO, North America Steve Johnson said: “There is unlimited opportunity in travel retail to engage and excite passengers in ways that make their journey more entertaining and enriching. We continuously strive for excellence in every aspect of our business and put the traveller at the centre of everything we do, so we are honoured to receive this noteworthy award from ACI-NA.
“Hudson is proud of the partnership we have with Nashville International Airport and that they share our vision to offer travellers an elevated experience.”
Of HMSHost’s award for Best Employee Recognition Program, Johnson said: “Our team members are what distinguish us, which is why we feel it is of the utmost importance to have a multi-faceted employee recognition programme. Appreciation and recognition have a compounding effect, resulting in a better experience for our team members and everyone they interact with.
“We are honoured to receive this award from Airports Council International – North America for a philosophy that is so deeply ingrained in our culture.” ✈
