Airport Experience News’ award winners of 2018 were announced during the final evening of the Airport Experience Conference. Congratulations are in order for some of the industry’s most innovative and effective airports, operators and brands, as last night’s awards ceremony recognized many excellent individuals and teams.
Among airports, the Airport Experience Awards went to:
Large Airports
Best Program Design: Portland International Airport (PDX)
Best Management Team: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Best Customer Service: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Best Overall Program: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Medium/Small Airports
Best Program Design: Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
Best Management Team: Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Best Customer Service: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Best Overall Program: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
Property Manager of the Year: Zenola Campbell, DFW
Director of the Year, Large Airports: Joseph W. Lopano, Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Director of the Year, Medium Airports: Jim Smith, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Director of the Year, Small Airports: Christina Callahan, Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
Concessionaires also took home awards for excellence in their field. Here are the winners:
Bar of the Year: Stone Arch by Aero Service Group
Best ACDBE Operator: LaTrelle’s Management Corp.
Best Brand Restaurateur, Large: HMSHost for Shake Shack
Best Brand Restaurateur, Small: High Flying Foods
Best Brand Retailer, Large: Paradies Lagardère for Dylan’s Candy Bar
Best Brand Retailer, Small: Marshall Retail Group for Marshall Rousso
Best Franchise Brand: Chick-fil-A
Best Local-Inspired Restaurant: The Salt Lick by Delaware North
Best Local-Inspired Store: Root & Branch by Marshall Retail Group
Best New Restaurant: 1300 on Filmore by SSP America
Best New Retail: Adventure North by Delaware North
Best Overall Restaurateur, Large: SSP America
Best Overall Restaurateur, Small: High Flying Foods
Best Overall Retailer, Large: Paradies Lagardère
Best Overall Retailer, Small: Johnston & Murphy
Best Passenger Service: Minute Suites
Best Restaurant Design: Yume by OTG Management, at IAH Terminal E
Best Retail Store Design: Global Bazaar by OTG Management, at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Best Travel Convenience Retailer, Large: Hudson Group
Best Travel Convenience Retailer, Small: NewsLink Group
Best Customer Service, Restaurateurs, Large: HMSHost
Best Customer Service, Restaurateurs, Small: Tastes on the Fly
Best Customer Service, Retailers, Large: InMotion
Best Customer Service, Retailers, Small: Marshall Retail Group
Additionally, the winners of the USA Today 10 Best were also named at the ceremony last night.
Best Airport Bar: Whisky River – Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Best Airport Bar / Restaurant Atmosphere: Whisky River – RDU
Best Airport for Dining: MSP
Best Airport for Shopping: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Best Airport Grab-and-Go Dining: Inca Tea Cafe – Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Best Airport Local/Regional Dining: The Breakfast Klub – IAH
Best Airport Newsstand/Travel Essential: InMotion – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Best Airport Service/Amenity: Minute Suites – DFW
Best Airport Shop for Local Merchandise: Root & Branch – RDU
Best Airport Sit-down Dining: Whisky River – Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CDL)
