KC’s year-old terminal just won four ‘Best Of’ industry awards; these businesses helped land the honors
April 9, 2024 | Startland News Staff
The retail and restaurant mix featured within the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport is being lauded by industry insiders who hail the experience curated by Vantage Airport Group as one of the best of its kind in North America.
Restaurant offerings at the City Market-themed food hall space at KCI’s new terminal; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News
In the terminal’s first year of operation, its offerings earned four honors at AXN’s Airport Experience Awards — including an award for Best Overall Program, which recognizes an airport that excels in providing an array of options in its food, retail, and services program that satisfies the needs and tastes of a range of travelers.
“Our goal of building an exceptional new airport terminal included offering world-class food and experiences to travelers,” said Melissa Cooper, director of aviation for Kansas City, Missouri. “These awards showcase the work that Vantage Airport Group and our many local businesses have done to deliver award-winning Kansas City-inspired concession program.”
The airport notably features a range of small businesses from within the local community, from Made in KC and Messenger Coffee to Safi Fresh and Martin City Brewing.
Click here to learn more about the range of shops and dining at the terminal.
AXN’s awards were announced earlier this month at one of the largest gatherings of airport commercial executives and concession operators in North America. Awards are voted on by a committee of industry executives.
In addition Best Overall, the new terminal earned top accolades in the medium/small airports division for:
- Best Casual Dining Concept (Brown & Loe) — Operated by Outstanding Hospitality Management Concessions Group (OHM), the award recognizes a casual dining concept providing a high-quality, exceptional experience.
- Best Local Inspired Restaurant (The Kansas City BBQ Experience) — An immersive eating and shopping experience, also operated by OHM, features authentic, made-in-KC BBQ dishes, rubs, and sauces.
- Best Passenger Service (Directors Cut Take II) — A barbershop offering a pre-flight pampering experience with a full bar.
RELATED: Style on standby: How an 18th & Vine barber shop is turning heads inside KC’s airport
Click here for a full list of winners.
“We are absolutely delighted to be selected as the winners of not just one but four prestigious awards,” said Sammy Patel, vice president, commercial, for Vantage Airport Group. “Together with the Kansas City Aviation Department, Outstanding Hospitality Management, and WH Smith North America, we have created a program focused on passengers and service excellence. These awards are a true testament to our bold approach creating a locally focused, Kansas City-inspired concession program that is transformative in so many ways.”
At more than 1 million square feet, the new terminal at Kansas City’s airport was the largest single infrastructure project in the City’s history. The facility opened in February 2023.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
‘More than a thrift store’: Goodwill’s efforts to close digital divide sell an expanded mission — upskilling workers
Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of stories focused on digital inclusion efforts in Kansas City, and is presented by Google Fiber. Ron Carr’s retirement made him restless, he shared. Wanting to be a valuable player in Kansas City’s economy once again, Carr enrolled in Goodwill’s Digital Skills Training program. “With…
Thrive Homes builds ‘life-changing’ independence for those struggling with mobility, aging in place
The impact of Thrive Homes is as simple as it is profound, said Christian Hill, whose startup taps into state and federal health funds to provide timely home modifications for residents with disabilities and accessibility issues. The Overland Park-based company makes it possible for people with certain health conditions — and those who are experiencing…
She started by getting Black art into Black spaces; now Natasha Ria El-Scari wants all of KC to know what they’ve been missing
A Renaissance woman, Natasha Ria El-Scari — gallerist, curator, poet, spoken word performer, educator, and life coach — has surrounded herself with art throughout her life. However, as the Kansas City native watched her hometown’s art scene flourish and thrive, she noticed not everyone was included. “As the city started to change, and the Crossroads…
Travel on tap: How a KC couple built a self-serve port for international wine lovers north of the river
Grab your wine passport, Russ Johnson said, because this self-serve wine bar allows customers to taste the world one sip at a time. And the technology that makes the business possible? Johnson — a software developer-turned-entrepreneur — built it himself. “Our brand is really focused on going on a vacation and having this world experience —…