MINNEAPOLIS—Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) recently honored Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with two awards for airport concessions; Surdyk’s Flights won first place in the Best New Food and Beverage Concept category, while MSP’s Concourse C Cart Program took home the Best Specialty Retail Program award..
The ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Concessions Contest is meant to inspire creativity in the industry and to recognize innovative and outstanding airport concessions. The contest is judged by an independent panel comprised of high-level professionals with no vested interest in concession operations or the outcome of any one airport. ACI-NA received 150 nominations from airports throughout the U.S. and Canada for this year’s contest.
More details on MSP’s awards:
Best New Food and Beverage Concept
1st Place: Surdyk’s Flights, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
This locally-owned and operated restaurant and wine market is unique to the Twin Cities and MSP. Surdyk’s Flights pairs gourmet foods with a variety of fine wines you can enjoy with your meal or purchase to take with you. The locally owned and operated restaurant offers patio seating in the heart of the airport mall at Terminal 1-Lindbergh.
Best Specialty Retail Program
2nd Place: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport - Concourse C Cart Program
MSP’s retail cart program provides opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses to become involved in airport retailing. Recent changes expanded the program, while also making it more nimble, allowing quick changes in concepts and product offerings in response to seasonal shifts and consumer demand. There are now seven carts in Terminal 1-Lindbergh and one in Terminal 2-Humphrey.
Nominations were judged on concessions’ goals and how they were met, use of concepts and branding, program design and layout, customer service, revenue performance and location.
Learn more about MSP Airport at www.mspairport.com. More information about the ACI-NA concessions contest can be found at http://aci-na.org/newsroom/press-releases/nashville-takes-2011-griesbach....
