OK, so it's a couple of months old.

Airport's concessions best in nation

Memphis Business Journal - December 15, 2006

Memphis International Airport has won the 2006 Airport Concessions Contest conducted by the Airports Council International-North America.

The airport received the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence, the highest bestowed on an airport for its concession program. Memphis International's Concourse B was selected as "Best Overall" among all airports. In addition, the food and beverage program received a first-place award, and the retail specialty program won a second place award.

According to an airport newsletter, one of the award judges said, "The essence of Memphis is truly captured in the overall design. I would find it hard to even leave the airport. Great job."

More than 50 airports throughout the U.S. and Canada entered the contest. Airports were judged on the mix of concessions, design, passenger flow, price, and the program's revenue performance.

"When we decided to renovate our concessions, we knew we wanted to showcase Memphis through food, retail, artwork and music," Larry Cox, president and CEO of Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, said in the newsletter. "We are very proud to receive this award because our concessions have truly captured the essence of Memphis. Travelers now experience Memphis without ever leaving the airport."

The new concessions feature local favorites such as Interstate BBQ, Back Yard Burgers, Lenny's, Corky's, Grisanti's Bol a Pasta, Sun Studio, The Memphis Zoo, the Memphis Rock & Soul Museum and Elvis Presley Enterprises. Memphis-themed restaurants are also part of the new concession program. Varsity Grill, which includes menu items from Folk's Folly and Huey's, is one of them.

L. I. B . ... GOOD FOR THEM ! ! !

Thanks for the article and the plus up.

This is an interesting time for the airport. Uncertainty with Northwest. Pursuit of Air France. Landing Frontier. Pursuing Southwest and/or Jetblue. TANG relocating (but staying "on campus" as it were). FedEx expanding into TANG's former digs. Neighborhood merchants and corporations getting together to clean up the area. Intermodal MATA terminal being built nearby.

It would be nice to keep the NW hub and develop a focus city presence for an LCC. Everyone harps on how our O/D numbers are low, but the MEM numbers don't reflect the total number of fliers that Memphis has, because so many of them take the Bette Bus to Little Rock or go to Nashville to fly SW.

There is no doubt that we have one of the best in the country charting the future for our airport. Hopefully chips fall our way. Even though there are many around the country (and frankly the state) rooting against us.

"When it absolutely, positively has to be the BE$T ......

HELLLLLOOOOOOOOOO, SOUTHWEST" ! ! ! !

PLEASE ! ! ! !

umbluegray Wrote:The new concessions feature local favorites such as The Memphis Zoo

OK, I have not flown in a few years, I have to ask,

Just what does the Zoo serve?

tigerengineer Wrote:

umbluegray Wrote:The new concessions feature local favorites such as The Memphis Zoo

OK, I have not flown in a few years, I have to ask,

Just what does the Zoo serve?

I dont remember seeing the zoo there, but don't go to Interstate BBQ and get a breakfast biscuit with anything smaller than a $10.

Maybe it's just souvenirs? Stuffed animals and such? They should make replicas of the entrance and the panda pagoda to sell.