There was cause for much celebration Tuesday night as the 21st annual AX Conference wrapped up with the annual Awards Gala, recognizing excellence in airport concessions.
Nearly 450 industry executives gathered for the top-tier event, beginning with a cocktail hour sponsored by Crews Hospitality.
AXN Publisher Melissa K. Montes welcomed the crowd by recapping some of the highlights of the conference, adding, “At AXN, we are honored to serve as a platform for these critical conversations—amplifying your voices, addressing the challenges that keep you up at night, celebrating your achievements, and helping to shape the path forward. Together, we will continue to drive this industry toward to a thriving and dynamic future.”
The 2025 Airport Experience Awards recognized excellence in airport concessions throughout North America. The event also spotlighted AXN’s previously announced 2024 Airport Directors of the Year, and the 2025 Property Manager of the Year. There was also special recognition of Pat Banducci, senior business advisor and former chief commercial officer, SSP America, whose longtime service in the industry was acknowledged with the Industry Impact Award.
Full coverage of the conference and the awards will appear in the May issue of Airport Experience News. Below is a list of winners in each awards category.
Best Bar Experience – Medium/Small Airports:
Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery by SSP America at Ottawa International Airport
Best Bar Experience – Large Airports:
Embarque Whiskey Grill by Bambuza Hospitality at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Airport With The Best Program Design:
Los Angeles International Terminal 3
DE&I TrailBlazer
Andrea Albo of Denver International Airport
Best Passenger Service
Gameway
Best Lounge Experience
The Club SFO by Airport Dimensions at San Francisco International Airport
Best ACDBE Operator – Food & Beverage:
Phase Next Hospitality –
Best ACDBE Operator – Retail or Services:
Amy Billings
Airport With The Best Overall Concessions Program:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Best Local Management Team:
Delaware North Team at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
Best Casual Dining Concept – Medium/Small Airports:
Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails by Mission Yogurt at John Wayne Airport
Best Casual Dining Concept – Large Airports:
Lucky Buns by The Grove at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Best Quick-Serve Restaurant Concept – Medium/Small Airports:
Velvet Taco by LaTrelle’s Management Corporation at William P. Hobby Airport
Best Quick-Serve Restaurant Concept – Large Airports:
Fat Sal’s/Yakumi by Crews Hospitality at Los Angeles International Airport
Best Overall Retailer – Small Operators:
Love From USA Group
Best Overall Retailer – Large Operators:
Paradies Lagardère
Best Sustainability Initiative In Airports:
John Wayne Airport – Edible Food Donation Program
Best Overall Restaurateur – Small Operators:
High Flying Foods
Best Overall Restaurateur – Large Operators:
HMSHost
Airport With The Best Community Engagement Initiative:
Denver International Airport, for Business Development Training Academy
Restaurateur With The Highest Regard For Customer Service – Small Operators:
High Flying Foods
Restaurateur With The Highest Regard For Customer Service – Large Operators:
Paradies Lagardère
Retailer With The Highest Regard For Customer Service – Small Operators:
Corliss Stone-Littles
Retailer With The Highest Regard For Customer Service – Large Operators:
WH Smith North America
Airport With The Best Commercial Team – Medium/Small Airports :
Jacksonville International Airport
Airport With The Best Commercial Team – Large Airports :
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport With The Highest Regard for Customer Service:
Orlando International Airport
Best Local-Inspired Restaurant Concept – Medium/Small Airports:
Uccello’s Ristorante by Paradies Lagardère at Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Best Local-Inspired Restaurant Concept – Large Airports:
Salty’s at the SEA by Concessions International at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Best Local-Inspired Store – Medium/Small Airports:
Made In KC by WH Smith North America at Kansas City International Airport
Best Local-Inspired Store – Large Airports:
Local Marketplace by Airport Retail Group at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
