We all race through airports to Jetways and we all have passed by scores of airport concessions. Sometimes, we end up spending more time than we want to at these concessions biding our time for pending flights.
A real fact of post-9/11 travel life is that airport concessions behind the TSA security wall are now more important than ever to passengers. We are arriving at airports earlier than ever and the uncertainty of TSA procedures really doesn’t let us cut the time before our flights too close.
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) recognized Vancouver International Airport as the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence winner in the 2010 Airport Concessions Contest. Dick Dickson, Chairman of The Paradies Shop, was also recognized as ACI-NA’s Concessions “Person of the Year”.
Vancouver’s concession program offers its customers 167 shops, services and restaurants. It consists of a series of 10 zoned streets and plazas that showcase regional areas of British Columbia. Artwork, water-features, aquariums, and unique interior design and architecture all work together to create mini “town squares” around which food and beverage are focused.
This year’s contest received 140 nominations from airports of all sizes throughout the U.S. and Canada. The purpose of the ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Concessions Contest is to inspire creativity in the industry and to recognize innovative and outstanding airport concessions. These awards help to demonstrate the growing importance of concessions to the total airport experience for passengers.
Here are the winners in other categories.
Best New Food and Beverage Concept
1st Place: Nonna Bartolotta’s, General Mitchell International Airport (Operated by SSP America)
2nd Place: Tigin Irish Pub & Restaurant, John F. Kennedy International Airport (Operated by SSP America)
3rd Place: Pinkberry, Los Angeles International Airport (Operated by HMS Host)
Honorable Mention: Le Grand Comptoir, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Operated by SSP America)
Best New Retail Concept
1st Place: Kiehl’s Since 1851, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Operated by HMS Host)
2nd Place: Victoria’s Secret, John F. Kennedy International Airport (operated by Hudson News Group)
Best “Green” Concession Practice or Concept
1st Place: Alterra Coffee, General Mitchell International Airport (Operated by SSP America)
2nd Place: Clear Channel Airports, Denver International Airport
Best Food and Beverage Program
1st Place: John F. Kennedy International Airport – Terminal 4
2nd Place: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Honorable Mention: LaGuardia Airport – Central Terminal
Honorable Mention: Raleigh-Durham International Airport – Terminal 2, Concourse C
Best Consumer Services Concept
1st Place: Secure Wrap, John F. Kennedy International Airport (Operated by Global Baggage Protection Systems)
Best Specialty Retail Program: – Medium Airport & Small Airport
1st Place: Edmonton International Airport
2nd Place: Vancouver International Airport: Concourse C
3rd Place: Sacramento International Airport: Terminal A
Honorable Mention: Nashville International Airport
Best Specialty Retail Program: – Large Airport
1st Place: Newark Liberty International Airport – Terminal C
2nd Place: LaGuardia Airport – Central Terminal
Best Convenience Retail Program – Large Airport
1st Place: Louisville International Airport
Entries for this year’s contest were judged by an independent panel comprised of high-level professionals with no vested interest in concession operations, or the outcome of any one airport. In addition to the independent panel, one representative from the previous year’s overall winner was also involved in the judging process.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
