The ARN 2015 Revenue Conference & Exhibition is just weeks away, and organizers, presenters and exhibitors are all looking forward to a vibrant and productive meeting.
The agenda for the conference, to be held March 8-11 in San Diego, is largely set with a broad selection of speakers and panelists to help inform and entertain the hundreds of attendees.
The event starts with some fun: Sunday’s conference launch includes a golf tournament at Coronado, just minutes from downtown San Diego. In the evening, ARN is hosting a charity casino tournament benefiting the Airport Minority Advisory Council scholarship fund.
Day 1 of the conference kicks off with ARN’s signature Academy of Concessions, a series of sessions designed for rookies or those who want to expand their knowledge of the complicated arena of airport concessions. Attendees can learn about everything from the basics of doing business in airports to crafting the winning request for proposals and creating a buzz around their businesses. Monday afternoon continues with options of an airport tour, a session devoted to upcoming airport opportunities and a meeting specifically for property managers.
The sold-out exhibit hall opens Monday night with a networking reception, the first of many in-hall events designed to connect airports with concessionaires.
Day 2 of the conference is designed to have broad appeal among industry executives at all levels and in all sectors of the airport business. After opening remarks from ARN, the day continues with a session on the design history and future of airports.
Maximizing concessions revenues and succession planning and talent acquisition are also on tap for Tuesday, followed by renown mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim’s interactive presentation on the craft of cocktails. Abou-Ganim can speak to the cocktail revolution underway in the United States and how some of those trends can be adapted in airports. He’ll spice up the afternoon with a live demonstration and free samples for attendees!
The cocktail presentation will set the stage for more exhibit hall networking Tuesday evening, followed by an invitation-only speaker’s dinner at nearby Hard Rock Hotel.
Airport directors are the focal point at the start of Day 3 of the conference, with the morning sessions kicking off with a robust panel of airport leaders discussing the biggest issues and challenges facing the industry. A retail trends panel follows the director session, featuring advice from “street” experts on the way forward for retail.
The annual “schmooze time” will be held Wednesday afternoon, providing opportunities for concessionaires to meet with airlines in a speed-dating format. Topping off the conference will be the ARN Awards Dinner, where the industry’s best are honored for their achievements.
For more information and registration details, please go to 2015conference.airportrevenuenews.com. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!