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