Airports Council Announces Recipients of 2026 Airport Concessions Awards

June 25, 2026

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today announced the recipients of the 2026 ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards. The awards recognize airports, concessionaires, and industry business partners for their work in elevating the passenger experience for all travelers. Midway Partnership Concessions Program of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) won the 2026 Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence in Airport Concessions, and Tim Juul of Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) won the 2026 Concessions Person of the Year award.

“We are proud to celebrate the enduring partnership between North America’s airports and concessionaires, and the vital role they play in enhancing the passenger journey,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “I commend this year’s honorees for their commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Their partnerships with both nationally recognized brands and local businesses help create unique, memorable travel experiences while supporting the communities they serve. ACI-NA and our members look forward to continuing to work alongside our concession partners to deliver exceptional experiences for passengers across North America.”

Richard A. Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions: The Richard A. Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions is ACI-NA’s highest honor for airport concessions. This award considers the totality of an airport’s concession program, including food service, retail, consumer services, quality, brands, sales, and build-out.

Midway Partnership Concessions Program and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the 2026 Richard A. Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions award winners. MDW’s concessions program brings the local taste and feel of Chicago to the airport, with a wide range of local restaurants and retail establishments. The airport has undergone rapid expansion, adding over 55 concession locations since 2017, including 26 local options.

Concessions Person of the Year: This award recognizes an airport professional who has made a significant contribution to improving the North American concessions industry.

Tim Juul of GSP is the 2026 Concessions Person of the Year award winner. Juul has been instrumental in enhancing the airport’s concessions program, introducing diverse and locally inspired offerings such as Triumph Taproom, a full-service restaurant concept inspired by Greenville’s professional soccer team, and GSPlay, an innovative play area designed for families and children. In the wake of Hurricane Helene in 2024, Juul displayed outstanding leadership by being among the first to arrive on campus the next morning and providing critical support to GSP’s concession partners. Under his leadership, the concessions program has become more diverse and passenger-focused, while maintaining strong financial discipline and increasing food and beverage operating revenue by 52%.

Concept Awards:

  • The 2026 Best New Food and Beverage (Full-Service Concept) award winner is Gotham Speakeasy at John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 4 (JFK T4), operated by SSP America.
  • The 2026 Best New Food and Beverage (Quick-Service Concept) award winner is Tocabe at Denver International Airport, operated by Mission Yogurt.
  • The 2026 Best New Local Concept award winner is Wander Kitchen & Bar by Chef Nicole Gomes at YYC Calgary International Airport, operated by SSP Canada.
  • The 2026 Best New National Brand Concept award winner is Smoothie King at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, operated by OdehMickens DFW Concessions.
  • The 2026 Best New News & Gift Concept award winner is Cascadia Collection at

Vancouver International Airport, operated by WHSmith North America.

  • The 2026 Best New Retail Concept award winner is Austin Vibes at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, operated by Areas USA.
  • The 2026 Best New Passenger Experience Concept award winner is Bengals Bar & Kitchen at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, operated by SSP America.
  • The 2026 Best New Non-Terminal Revenue Innovation Concept award winner is Prebooked Parking Online at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, operated by DFW Parking Yield Management Team.

Best Employee Recognition Program Awards:

  • The 2026 Best Airport Employee Recognition Program (Airport Services Operator) award winner is Vantage Group.
  • The 2026 Best Concessionaire Employee Recognition Program (Food & Beverage Operator) award winner is OTG Management.
  • The 2026 Best Concessionaire Employee Recognition Program (Retail Operator) award winner is Hudson.

 

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About ACI-NA

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.