DFW Named as the Winner of Excellence in 2018 ACI-NA Concessions Awards

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) on June 14, announced that Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the winner of the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence in the 2018 ACI-NA Airport Concessions Awards. The 2018 ACI-NA Concessions Person of the Year was awarded to Laurie Noyes of Tampa International Airport.

“ACI-NA’s Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence recognizes the most innovative and outstanding work in airport concessions,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “Terminal D at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is a great example of the innovative work airports are doing to improve the passenger experience while generating business that is vital to their bottom line. I congratulate Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and the rest of the ACI-NA Airport Concessions Awards winners on their accomplishments in airport concessions.”

Serving 8.5 million international passengers in 2017, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal D continually evolves to offer passengers luxury shopping and dining experiences as well as everyday travel essentials. To appeal to all a variety of passengers, DFW's goal is to showcase known and loved brands as well as local favorites in Terminal D. The airport also strives to be on the cutting edge of innovation with the DFW Airport App, a mobile app that serves as a useful tool for travelers with step by step directions in the terminal, restaurant menus, and flight information.

Laurie Noyes of Tampa International Airport was recognized as the 2018 ACI-NA Concessions Person of the Year. As the Vice President of Concessions, Noyes has led the largest Airport Concession Redevelopment Program that airport has ever seen, including implementing new lines of business generating millions of dollars annually. She is an active member of the ACI-NA Commercial Management Committee, serving as a member of the steering group.

“Laurie’s perseverance and relentless commitment to excellence is one reason why the Tampa International Airport continues to rank among the best airports in the world,” said Burke. “ACI-NA is pleased to recognize her work to deliver passengers the outstanding service for which the airport is known.”

The awards were announced during a gala dinner at the 2018 ACI-NA Business of Airports Conference in Portland, OR. More than 600 commercial management, business diversity, human resource, and finance representatives from the North American airport industry attended the conference.

This year’s contest received more than 140 nominations from airports of all sizes throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition to the Griesbach Award and Concessions Person of the Year, 37 other awards were presented in the following categories:

Best “Green” Concessions Concept or Practice

• 1st Place: Bistrot, Aéroports de Montréal (Operated by HMSHost) 
• 2nd Place: Green Plate Program, Portland International Airport 
• 3rd Place: Green Restaurant Certification, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4 (Operated by JFKIAT & SSP America)

Best Innovative Consumer Experience Concept or Practice

• 1st Place: Hollywood Theatre, Portland International Airport 
• 2nd Place: WeWatt, Indianapolis International Airport 
• 3rd Place: ROAM Fitness, Baltimore-Washington International Airport (Operated by ROAM Fitness)

Best New Consumer Service Concept

• 1st Place: Mobile Point of Sale (mPOS), Paradies Lagardère 
• 2nd Place: Server Pager System, Paradies Lagardère 
• 3rd Place: Be Relax Spa, Washington Dulles International Airport (Operated by Be Relax)

Best New Food and Beverage (Full-Service Concept)

• 1st Place: Book & Bourbon Southern Kitchen, Louisville International Airport (Operated by HMSHost) 
• 2nd Place: Lift Bar & Grill, Vancouver International Airport (Operated by SSP Canada) 
• 3rd Place: Hickory, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Operated by Paradies Lagardère)

Best New Food and Beverage (Quick-Service Concept)

• 1st Place: Thai Express, Calgary International Airport (Operated by MTY Group) 
• 2nd Place: Café con Leche, Tampa International Airport (Operated by SSP America) 
• 3rd Place: Blue Star Donuts, Portland International Airport (Operated by Blue Star Donuts)

Best New Duty Free Concept

• 1st Place: DFS Duty Free Pop-up Shops, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4 (Operated by DFS Duty Free) 

Best New Local Concept

• 1st Place: Angel Food Bakery and Donut Bar, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (Operated by Delaware North) 
• 2nd Place: I VINI, Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (Operated by Delaware North) 
• 3rd Place: Vin Room, Calgary International Airport (Operated by Vin Room YYC Airport)

Best New National Brand Concept

• 1st Place: Hard Rock Café, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Tampa International Airport (Operated by SSP America) 
• 2nd Place: Shake Shack, Los Angeles International Airport, Terminal 3 (Operated by HMSHost)

Best New News & Gift Concept

• 1st Place: New Stand, Los Angeles International Airport, Terminal 1 (Operated by Pacific Gateway) 
• 2nd Place: Distillery District Marketplace, Louisville International Airport (Operated by Paradies Lagardère)

Best New Retail Concept

• 1st Place: Up Pup ‘N’ Away, Hollywood Burbank Airport (Operated by BRICKANDMORTAR.ME.INC) 
• 2nd Place: The Runway, Tampa International Airport (Operated by Paradies Lagardère) 
• 3rd Place: Nuts on Clark, O'Hare International Airport (Operated by Nuts on Clark)

Best Food & Beverage Program – Large Airport

• 1st Place: George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Terminal A 
• 2nd Place: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4 
• 3rd Place: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal D

Best Food & Beverage Program – Medium Airport

• 1st Place: Dallas Love Field Airport 
• 2nd Place: William P. Hobby Airport

Best Food & Beverage Program – Small Airport

• 1st Place: Louisville International Airport 
• 2nd Place: Tucson International Airport

Best Retail Program – Large Airport

• 1st Place: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal A 
• 2nd Place: George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Terminal A 
• 3rd Place: Vancouver International Airport, International Terminal

Best Retail Program – Medium and Small Airport

• 1st Place: Louisville International Airport

2018 Concessions Person of the Year

• Laurie Noyes, Tampa International Airport

2018 Richard A. Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal D