Edmonton Airports’ Central Hall Recognized By Top North American Award

Edmonton — Edmonton Airports has been recognized by a major North American award acknowledging excellence in concession programs. Edmonton International Airport is the smallest airport in the history of the program to receive the top North American award.

Airports Council International-North America presented the “Overall Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence” to Edmonton Airports, recognizing the Central Hall Retail and Food & Beverage Program for innovative spirit and excellence.

Edmonton Airports’ Central Hall, phase three of the Air Terminal Redevelopment Project, opened in November 2003 and added 27,000 feet of new retail space to the airport.

The Central Hall Retail Program goal was to enhance the customer service experience and raise customer satisfaction. Quarterly surveys demonstrated that customer satisfaction immediately following Central Hall’s opening increased significantly with the new retail program (on a four-point scale):

¨ Variety of retail stores increased from 3.1 to 3.9
¨ Quality of retail merchandise increased from 3.6 to 3.9
¨ Quality of Food and Beverage service increased from 3.8 to 4.0
¨ Selection of Food and Beverage increased from 3.3 to 3.5

“We are very proud to accept this award, not just on behalf of Edmonton Airports, but on behalf of the Capital Region,” states Reg Milley, President and CEO of Edmonton Airports. “We themed the Central Hall concession area ‘Festival City, Live All Year’ ensuring that the airport promotes our dynamic region to the millions of travellers and visitors using the airport each year.”

Central Hall stores and restaurants reflect the Festival City theme both in naming and graphics. Shops like Fringe News and Edmonton Emporium, complemented by Festival City graphics in the Central Hall Area, remind our visitors and residents that the Capital Region is a great place to visit and live.

Additional retail and food & beverage outlets are also planned for 2006 in the North Terminal and the United States hold room areas.

Edmonton Airports officials were in San Francisco last night to receive the award.

Edmonton Airports is a not-for-profit organization mandated to manage the region’s airport assets on behalf of and in the best interest of the community.