AX Awards Gala Caps 19th Annual Conference

The AX Awards Gala, held Wednesday evening, capped the 19th annual Airport Experience Conference in Denver. The four-day conference commenced with a Denver International Airport tour on Sunday, followed by educational sessions, brand showcases in the Experience Hall, plenty of networking opportunities and, of course, the fun-filled after-parties over the next three days.

AXN Publisher Melissa K. Montes noted the successes on various fronts, from the sold-out Women in Leadership Breakfast to the keynote address from celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern to the myriad sessions and experiences offered throughout the four days.

“Tonight, we celebrate not only having something to celebrate but our common vision for delivering excellent experiences to the traveling public,” Montes said in her opening remarks at the Gala. “As a result of your collective efforts, North American Airports are some of the very best in the World.

The 2023 Airport Experience Awards recognized excellence in airport concessions throughout North America. The event also spotlighted AXN’s previously announced 2022 Airport Directors of the Year, and the 2023 Property Manager of the Year and AX Icon.

Full coverage of the conference and the awards will appear in a special bonus issue of Airport Experience News due out later this month. Below is a list of winners in each awards category.

 Airport With The Best Program Design – Large Airports Division

Winner: LaGuardia Airport

Airport With The Best Program Design – Medium/Small Airports Division

Winner: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Overall Concessions Program – Large

Winner: Salt Lake City International Airport

Airport With The Best Overall Concessions Program – Medium/Small Airports Division

Winner: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Best ACDBE Operator

Winner: Crews Hospitality, LLC

Best Passenger Service

Winner: Gameway

Best Bar Experience – Large Airport Division

Winner:  Vyne Washington Tasting Room by SSP America, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Best Bar Experience – Medium/Small Airport Division

Winner: The Canadian Brewhouse by ECG Ventures Ltd, at Edmonton International Airport

Best Sustainability Initiative In Airports

Winner: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Best Technology Initiative in Airports

Winner: Amazon Just Walk Out/Amazon One used by Hudson

Best Casual Dining Concept

Winner: Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar by HMSHost, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Best Quick Serve Restaurant Concept

Winner: Settebello Pizzaria by The Grove, Inc., at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Best Overall Retailer – Large Companies Division

Winner: Paradies Lagardère

Best Overall Retailer – Small Companies Division

Winner: Newslink Group

Best Overall Restaurateur – Large Companies Division

Winner: SSP America

Best Overall Restaurateur – Small Companies Division

Winner: High Flying Foods

Best Local-Inspired Restaurant – Large Airport Division

Winner: The Blue Door Pub by Areas USA, at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

Best Local-Inspired Restaurant – Medium/Small Airport Division

Winner: Emeril’s Table by HMSHost, at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Best Local-Inspired Store

Winner: Hip & Humble by Paradies Lagardère, at Salt Lake City International Airport

Best Lounge Experience

Winner: The American Express/Centurion Lounge at Denver International Airport

Restaurateur With The Highest Regard For Customer Service – Large Companies Division

Winner: Tastes on the Fly

Restaurateur With The Highest Regard For Customer Service – Small Companies Division

Winner: High Flying Foods

Retailer With The Highest Regard for Customer Service – Large Companies Division

Winner: Paradies Lagardère

Retailer With The Highest Regard for Customer Service – Small Companies Division

Winner: Johnston & Murphy

Airport With The Best Commercial Management Team – Large Airports Division

Winner: Salt Lake City International Airport

Airport With The Best Commercial Management Team – Medium/Small Airports Division

Winner: Edmonton International Airport

Airport With The Highest Regard for Customer Service – Large Airports Division

Winner: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Airport With The Highest Regard for Customer Service – Medium/Small Airports Division

Winner: Indianapolis International Airport

AXN 2022 Director of the Year, Small Airports Division

Winner: Gregory Kelly, Executive Director, Savannah Airport Commission

AXN 2022 Director of the Year, Medium Airports Division

Winner: Scott Brockman, President and CEO, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

AXN 2022 Director of the Year, Large Airports Division

Winner: Jamie Rhee, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation

AXN 2023 Property Manager of the Year

Winner: Brad Wolfe, Commercial Manager, Salt Lake City Department of Airports

2023 AX Icon

Winner: Ron Gomes, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, HMSHost

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