Our Team

Melissa Montes is the Vice President and publisher for Airport Experience News, in addition to her responsibilities as diversity and inclusion business partner/lead for AXN parent company Clarion Events. Montes joined Airport Experience News in 2013 as director of business development and marketing. She became portfolio director in 2019 and was named publisher the following year. Montes is responsible for the overall strategic vision of Airport Experience News, the Airport Experience Conference and other company-hosted events. She leads the AX team in hosting an unparalleled networking and education opportunity for airport and concessions executives, supported by the AX News magazine and other media. She is also host of the informative AXiNsights webinar series.

Carol Ward is the Editor-in-Chief of Airport Experience News. She has been writing about the airport industry for more than 20 years, chronicling the evolution of airport concessions and services and their impact on the traveler experience. Ward holds overall responsibility for the editorial content produced and distributed by Airport Experience News, including the Airport Experience News magazine, video interviews, podcasts and other media. She also is responsible for planning and delivering the sessions and educational events for the annual Airport Experience Conference and other company events. Ward previously was a senior editor for a national wine and spirits trade magazine. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri.

Nicolе Watson is a sеasonеd Tradе Show Profеssional with ovеr 15 years of еxpеriеncе in thе industry. Known for hеr еxpеrtisе in launching and dirеcting major еvеnts in divеrsе markеts such as Jеwеlry, Gifts, and Mеdical Dеvicе Manufacturing,   shе has significantly contributed to top еvеnt managеmеnt companiеs including Emеrald and Informa Markеts. With a background in Fashion Dеsign & Mеrchandising and a progrеssivе carееr from Account Managеr to Group Salеs Dirеctor, Nicolе еxcеls in connеcting buyеrs and sеllеrs, driving businеss dеvеlopmеnt and innovation in thе еvеnts sеctor.

Barb McCarter started with AXN at its inception, when it was still Airport Retail News. She was the conference director for many years and is now the portfolio manager, responsible for supporting the entire AXN portfolio of products, including the AX Conference, AXN media products and the AX Fact Book. Barb is a natural organizer with strong attention to detail and has an enthusiastic attitude to provide exceptional customer service. She is a proud mother of two and enjoys relaxing by the ocean with her friends and family.

Amanda Litwack is the Digital Marketing Coordinator for AXN media products and the AXC conference. With a robust background as a Project Manager at NBC’s Golf Channel and as a Digital Product Manager at Travel & Leisure, Amanda has developed a strong expertise in strategic planning and digital innovation. She earned her Master of Management degree from the University of Florida and her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Sociology from Elon University. Outside of orchestrating marketing campaigns, Amanda is passionate about exploring emerging industry trends and using her skills to craft seamless digital experiences.

Sarah Beling is a contributing writer for Airport Experience News magazine. Based in New York City, Sarah writes feature articles for AXN on airport renovations, concessions and technology related topics. She also writes news for the AXN website and participates in planning for the AX Conference. In addition to Airport Experience News, Sarah is a food, arts and culture writer contributing regularly to The Kitchn, the Catskill Mountain Region Guide magazine, Your Brooklyn Guide and W42ST.com.

Sally Kral is a contributing writer for Airport Experience News magazine. Based in Atlanta, Sally is a regular contributor to AXN, writing feature articles on airport concessions and related topics. She is also part of the planning team for the educational sessions at the Airport Experience Conference. In addition to Airport Experience News, Sally contributes regularly to Market Watch, Whisky Advocate and other publications, primarily focusing on national cocktail and spirits trends. Sally previously worked as Assistant Editor of Market Watch in New York City and Managing Editor of Edible Finger Lakes in Ithaca, New York.