FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2016

 

ORLANDO, FL − Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) today announced that Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the winner of the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence winner in the 2016 ACI-NA Airport Concessions Awards.  The 2016 ACI-NA Concessions Person of the Year was awarded to Paula Kucharz of the City of Phoenix Aviation Department.

“Airports work continuously to enhance the passenger experience, and the ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards recognize the most innovative and outstanding airport concessions that are essential to that effort,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “DFW has improved their overall passenger experience by updating and diversifying the concessions offering in Terminal A. ACI-NA is  pleased to recognize DFW’s hard work on Terminal A’s concessions program with this year’s overall Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence.”

DFW transformed its entire concessions experience by redeveloping Terminal A based on passenger feedback. Upgrading from a few options to an outstanding variety of brands and selections, Terminal A now offers dining options that mix regional brands with global tastes as well as premium and convenience retail options. DFW’s focus on diversity and extensive outreach in the selection of concepts has resonated with passengers resulting in a great success in the redevelopment of Terminal A.

Paula Kucharz of the City of Phoenix Aviation Department was recognized as the 2016 ACI-NA Concessions Person of the Year for her success in leading an award-winning program at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Over her 15 years in the airport concessions industry, Kucharz has played a vital role in bringing world class dining and retail options to the airport’s passengers.

“Paula’s contribution to airport concessions over the last 15 years has been tremendous in improving the passenger experience,” said Burke. “ACI-NA is pleased to recognize her dedicated leadership in the industry with this award.”

The awards were announced during an awards gala dinner at the 2016 ACI-NA Business of Airports Conference in Orlando, FL. The conference was attended by nearly 500 commercial management, human resource, and finance representatives from the North American airport industry.

This year’s contest received more than 125 nominations from airports of all sizes throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition to the Griesbach award and Person of the Year, 31 other awards were presented in the following categories:

Best “Green” Concessions Practice or Concept

• 1^st Place: Edmonton International Airport

Best Innovative Consumer Experience Concept or Practice

• 1^st Place: Channel Your Inner Chef, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Operated by HMSHost
• 2^nd Place: Beer Garden: Adventures in Craft Brewing, Denver International Airport, Operated by Denver International Airport
• 3^rd Place: PGA MSP Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Operated by Wexford Golf

Best New Consumer Service Concept

• 1^st Place: Gold Key Services Parking, Pittsburgh International Airport, Operated by Grant Oliver Corporation

Best New Food and Beverage (Full-Service Concept)

• 1^st Place: 1897 Market, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Operated by HMSHost
• 2^nd Place: Bardenay, Boise Airport, Operated by Delaware North Travel Hospitality
• 3^rd Place: Atlanta Stillhouse, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Operated by Delaware North Travel Hospitality

Best New Food and Beverage (Quick-Service Concept)

• 1^st Place: Modmarket, Denver International Airport, Operated by Tastes Denver, LLC, a partnership between Tastes on the Fly and IRG, LLC
• 2^nd Place: Plum Market featuring Zingerman’s, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Operated by Hojeij Branded Foods & Joint Venture Partner, AP United LLC
• 3^rd Place: La Madeleine Country French Café, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Operated by HMSHost

Best New Local Concept

• 1^st Place: Greenbelt Magazine MarketPlace, Boise Airport, Operated by Paradies Lagardère
• 2^nd Place: Hammer Made, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Operated by Hammer Made
• 3^rd Place:  SeaLegs Wine Bar, Los Angeles International Airport, Operated by Jackmont Hospitality

Best New National Brand Concept

• 1^st Place: P.F. Chang’s, Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Operated by Hojeij Branded Foods & Joint Venture Partner, AP United LLC
• 2^nd Place: Service Plaza, Indianapolis International Airport, Operated by PMG Airport Plazas
• 3^rd Place: Starbucks Evenings, Los Angeles International Airport, Operated by HMSHost

Best New News & Gift Concept

• 1^st Place: 7-Eleven, Los Angeles International Airport, Operated by Paradies Lagardère

Best New Retail Concept

• 1^st Place: PGA MSP Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Operated by Wexford Golf
• 2^nd Place: Fred Segal, Los Angeles International Airport, Operated by Hudson Group
• 3^rd Place: 7-Eleven, Los Angeles International Airport, Operated by Paradies Lagardère

Best Food & Beverage Program – Large Airport

• 1^st  Place: PDX Food Cart Program, Portland International Airport
• 2^nd Place: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
• 3^rd Place: John F. Kennedy International Airport – Terminal 4

Best Food & Beverage Program – Medium Airport

• 1^st Place: Indianapolis International Airport
• 2^nd Place: Edmonton International Airport

Best Food & Beverage Program – Small Airport

• 1^st Place: Boise Airport

Best Retail Program – Large Airport

• 1^st Place: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
• 2^nd Place: Detroit Metropolitan Airport – McNamara Terminal

Best Retail Program – Medium Airport

• 1^st Place: Vancouver International Airport

Best Retail Program – Small Airport

• 1^st Place: Boise Airport