SPAIN. The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to unveil the next phase of finalists in the Airport FAB + Hospitality Awards, to be held in Barcelona, Spain on 26 June.

There are 23 categories in this year’s FAB Awards, which attracted a record-breaking number of entries. There will also be additional special judges’ awards.

In a change from previous years, all finalists will receive a FAB 2025 Order of Merit Award, alongside regional and global winners. In certain of the evening’s premier categories, additional awards will be made according to size of airport (by passenger numbers) as well as an overall accolade.

As we continue our phased finalist announcement, we spotlight two more categories:

• Airport Lounge Food & Beverage Offer of the Year: With passengers’ priorities shifting in a post-pandemic world, this award highlights lounges that excel in providing hygienic, convenient and high-quality food & beverage choices. This year’s finalists showcase concepts offering a wide range of fresh, customised options that cater to diverse preferences, tastes, dietary needs, convenience and a strong sense of place to enhance the traveller experience.
• Airport Instagrammable Location of the Year: As social media shapes traveller expectations, the aesthetic appeal of airport venues matter more than ever. Finalists in this category demonstrate how exceptional service, combined with striking visual appeal, can transform a travel venue into a memorable, Instagram-worthy destination.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie (left) leads a distinguished panel of industry experts judging this year’s FAB Awards, representing top names in hospitality and travel retail, including industry veteran and consultant Nick Inkster (centre) and Concession Planning International Managing Partner Susan Gray

The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman and Founder of the FAB Awards Martin Moodie said, “This year’s FAB Awards are by far the most hotly contested in the event’s proud 14-year history.

“The incredible response underlines the fact that the F&B, lounges and wider hospitality space is in the ascendancy as never before. We are talking not just quantitatively but also qualitatively. Many of the entries make the tastebuds tingle and the spirit soar.

“It’s also deeply encouraging to note the innate consumer-centricity of so many entries; the rapid and creative response to consumer trends; the burgeoning commitment to taste and sense of place; the emphasis on key social principles; and the unrelenting focus on ensuring airport F&B is not a poor relation of its downtown equivalent.”

Other notable names joining the judging team this year are (from left) ECE Marketplaces Project Director – Leasing Services Jonathan Doughty; Hunter Palmer – Global Retail Solutions Co-Founder Nick Goddard-Palmer; The Hayward Partnership Airport and Airline F&B and M&A Specialist Robert Shepherd; and Trippas White Group CEO Kevin Zajax

Airport Lounge Food & Beverage Offer of the Year finalists

080 International Lounge, Terminal 2 – Bengaluru Airport Services Limited, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, India

aether, The Private Terminal – CAVU, Manchester Airport, UK

Capital One Plaza Premium, Denver International Airport, USA

Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club – JPMorganChase, Philadelphia International Airport, USA

Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club – JPMorganChase, San Diego International Airport, USA

Louis Vuitton Lounge – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Pier Zero & American Express Collaboration – Avolta, Helsinki Airport, Finland

Plaza Premium First Hong Kong – Infinity Room – Plaza Premium Group, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, China

Sky The Lounge – Before Boarding, Las Américas International Airport, USA

TRU Hospitality Services & Retail Group- İGA İstanbul Airport, Türkiye

Airport Instagrammable Location of the Year finalists – also open for public voting

080 Domestic Lounge, Terminal 2 – Bengaluru Airport Services, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, India

aether, The Private Terminal – CAVU, Manchester Airport, UK

AJ 1881 – Travel Food Services, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, India

Calista Taverna – OTG Management, New York LaGuardia Airport, USA

Capital One Landing – Capital One, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, USA

Flax & Kale – Areas, Adolfo Suárez Madrid – Barajas Airport, Spain

Holiday Pop-up Bar at Grapes & Grains – Outstanding Hospitality Management & Vantage Group, Kansas City International Airport, USA

Incheon International Airport Corporation, Incheon Airport, South Korea

Kitchen by Open House Terminal 1 – Avolta, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia

MarketPlace PHL, Philadelphia International Airport, USA

Ottakringer Zapfmeisterei & Leberkas Pepi – SSP DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Vienna International Airport, Austria

Self – Areas, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, Spain

Shelby & Co Bar + Kitchen – SSP UK & Ireland, Birmingham Airport, UK

Sky Gamerz – SSP America, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, USA

Sunday’s Best – SSP America, Salt Lake City International Airport, USA

Tata Starbucks, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, India

Victory Grille – OTG Management, Newark Liberty International Airport, USA

W Premium Lounge Recife Frevo – W Premium Group, Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport, Brazil

Click here to vote.

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025 continues to gather pace, with more high-profile speakers enhancing an already dynamic agenda.

Hosted by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event is taking place on 25-26 June in Barcelona, Spain.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the event will bring together top executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners worldwide.

Bringing fresh perspectives, Aura Dezyne Founder and Principal Designer Payal Khanna (left) and Sodexo Live! Chief Operating Officer Airport Lounges, North America Peter Zilper will deepen the dialogue and engage attendees at the upcoming FAB Hospitality Conference 2025

Payal Khanna, Founder and Principal Designer at Aura Dezyne, brings two decades of experiential design expertise to a panel focused on strategies and trends shaping the future of airport hospitality.

She has led more than 600 projects, with standout contributions to India’s airport landscape – most notably the 080 Domestic Lounge at Bangalore International Airport, honoured at the 2024 FAB Awards.

Since beginning her airport design journey in 2009, Khanna has demonstrated a deep understanding of how a combination of regional culture, storytelling and hospitality-driven concepts can shape emotionally resonant environments.

With three decades of leadership in hospitality and lounge operations, Peter Zilper will offer valuable insight into how airport lounges are evolving to meet rising traveller expectations.

As COO of Sodexo Live! Airport Lounges in North America, Zilper has played a key role in guiding the business through challenges, promoting innovation and developing strong teams.

He fosters collaborative partnerships and drives business success by focusing on streamlined operations and excellence in culinary and hospitality services.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

Registration remains open via this link, with a standard fee of US$1,700. As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for a -50% discount.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more people from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to commence the phased reveal of finalists in the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards to be held in Barcelona, Spain on 26 June.

There are 23 categories in this year’s FAB Awards which attracted a record-breaking number of entries. There will also be additional special judges’ awards.

In a change from previous years, all finalists will receive a FAB 2025 Order of Merit Award, alongside regional and global winners. In certain of the evening’s premier categories, additional awards will be made according to size of airport (by passenger numbers) as well as an overall accolade.

We begin the big reveal today with finalists in four categories:

• FAB Airport Health-Centred Offer of the Year: A key emerging sector within airport food & beverage, a wellness dynamic reflected in multiple high-quality and innovative entries.
• FAB Airport Food & Beverage Digital Initiative of the Year: In an ever-evolving omnichannel world, this award reflects the vital importance of customer connection through an array of digital armoury. This year’s finalists represent a compelling line-up of innovative initiatives.
• FAB Airport Customer/Hospitality Initiative of the Year: The ‘H’ word – hospitality – is arguably the most important one in the whole airport food & beverage and lounges lexicon, yet is one so often overlooked. Our finalists in this award category all display an impressively consumer-centric philosophy.
• FAB Airport Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year: At a time in history when vital principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are being undermined at the highest political level, we consider it more important than ever to champion such values. This year’s finalists offer multiple inspirational examples of walking the walk in terms of social principles.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie (left) leads a distinguished panel of industry experts judging this year’s FAB Awards, representing top names in hospitality and travel retail, including industry veteran and consultant Nick Inkster (centre) and Concession Planning International Managing Partner Susan Gray

The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman and Founder of the FAB Awards Martin Moodie said: “This year’s FAB Awards are by far the most hotly contested in the event’s proud 14-year history.

“The incredible response underlines the fact that the F&B, lounges and wider hospitality space is in the ascendancy as never before. We are talking not just quantitatively but also qualitatively. Many of the entries make the tastebuds tingle and the spirit soar.

“It’s also deeply encouraging to note the innate consumer-centricity of so many entries; the rapid and creative response to consumer trends; the burgeoning commitment to taste and sense of place; the emphasis on key social principles; and the unrelenting focus on ensuring airport F&B is not a poor relation of its downtown equivalent.”

Other notable names joining the judging team this year are (from left) ECE Marketplaces Project Director – Leasing Services Jonathan Doughty; Hunter Palmer – Global Retail Solutions Co-Founder Nick Goddard-Palmer; The Hayward Partnership Airport and Airline F&B and M&A Specialist Robert Shepherd; and Trippas White Group CEO Kevin Zajax

FAB Airport Health-Centred Offer of the Year finalists

Flax & Kale – Areas at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, Spain

Fresh – Avolta at Gold Coast Airport, Australila

Fruitality – The Wright Group at Dublin Airport, Ireland

Jump Juice – Jump Juice Bars at Dublin Airport, Ireland

Krista’s Healthy on the Go – Paradies Lagardère, multiple airports

Natoo – Lagardère Travel Retail, Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, Santiago, Chile

FAB Airport Food & Beverage Digital Initiative of the Year finalists

Accessible Digital Menus Powered by Binclusive – BTA, multiple airports

Capital One Lounge Digital Waitlist – Capital One, multiple airports

Club Avolta – Avolta, multiple airports

iCoupon – multiple airports

JEEVES Snackbot – Allresto Flughafen München Hotel & Gaststätten, Munich International Airport, Germany

Jureskogs – SSP, Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden

FAB Airport Customer/Hospitality Initiative of the Year finalists

Capital One Landing at DCA – Capital One, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, USA

Family Leisure and Dining Venue – SSP Spain, Palma de Mallorca Airport, Spain

iCoupon – multiple airports

Kepler Club – multiple airports

Plaza Premium Lounge – Plaza Premium Group, multiple airports

Santa’s Layover Lounge – Denver International Airport, USA

SSP America’s Service From The Heart – SSP America, multiple airports

SSP Emirates – Customer and Hospitality is the core of our business! – SSP Eastern Europe and Middle East, Zayed International Airport, UAE

W Meet & Assist – W Premium Group, Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil

FAB Airport Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year finalists

Airport DEI Campaign of The Year – Areas, multiple airports

Cafe Yanımda – TUM, İGA İstanbul Airport, Türkiye

Crewmember Spotlight Initiative – OTG Management, multiple airports, USA

Fly. Learn. Grow – SSP Asia Pacific, multiple airports

GourmAut – Avolta, multiple airports

Incheon International Airport Corporation, Incheon International Airport, Korea

JFKIAT – John F. Kennedy International Airport, USA

Lagardère Travel Retail UAE – Lagardère Travel Retail, multiple airports

NorthAmerican Concessions, Chicago Midway International Airport, USA

Travel Food Services, multiple airports, India

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. The Moodie Davitt Report is pleased to unveil an updated top-class speaker line-up for the upcoming Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025, taking place on 25-26 June in Barcelona.

Hosted by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will gather senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners worldwide.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the highly anticipated annual event will culminate in the FAB Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner on 26 June, with the FAB Superstars winners unveiled earlier during the conference.

Emirates Leisure Retail Managing Director Murat Gun (left) and London Stansted Airport Retail Director Stephen Martin bring leadership perspective to FAB 2025

Emirates Leisure Retail Managing Director Murat Gun will bring his extensive industry expertise to this year’s conference, where he will explore how a customer-first approach fosters lasting loyalty and boosts revenue in the dynamic airport environment.

Gun has over 20 years of experience in F&B and retail across the USA and Türkiye, with a strong background in strategy, travel retail, business development and operations.

Previously, he served as Managing Director at M.H. Alshaya Türkiye for seven years, leading 15 brands, including Starbucks, Pinkberry and Bath & Body Works. He successfully turned around the business through strategic focus, ecommerce, staff training, and a ‘service first’ approach.

Joining the discussion on airport tenders is Stephen Martin, Retail Director at London Stansted Airport.

Martin has been notable for driving the airport’s retail transformation and post-pandemic rebound, playing a key role in making Stansted the fastest-recovering London airport. Under his leadership, annual passenger traffic has exceeded 30 million, and retail revenue has risen +33%, even with limited space.

He has been instrumental in the terminal’s redesign and retail strategy, with airside retail space expected to expand to 21,000sq m by 2028 – two-thirds of which will be dedicated to F&B, featuring a 1,500sq m flagship dining area with runway views.

Previously, he held senior retail roles at Boots UK, overseeing strategy for over 2,200 stores.

Quick Service Restaurant Platform CEO Alessandro Preda (left) and Fraport AG Vice President of Retail Key Account Management Nina Kristin Gür join the standout speaker list at FAB 2025 

Bringing a dynamic leadership perspective to the conference is Alessandro Preda, the visionary CEO behind Quick Service Restaurant Platform’s success.

A seasoned F&B expert with two decades of experience, he led QSRP’s expansion and development after transforming Autogrill through strategic mergers.

He also spent years as a consultant for major firms, including EY, Deloitte and Andersen, advising on strategy in the retail and consumer goods space.

Fraport AG Vice President of Retail Key Account Management Nina Kristin Gür will represent the airport company, stepping in for Mark Hallstein, Account Manager Airport Retailing.

Gür will join a panel discussion on aligning airport retail with evolving consumer expectations to enhance the passenger experience.

At Frankfurt Airport, she leads retail strategy, including the ‘Art of Retail in the Heart of Europe’ initiative, which integrates travel and lifestyle trends. Her responsibilities span brand partnerships, commercial performance and terminal space planning, particularly critical with Terminal 3’s upcoming opening, featuring 70 new retail units.

Before Fraport, Gür held senior positions at Galeria Kaufhof and s.Oliver Group, specialising in category management, omnichannel retail and strategic transformation.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

Registration remains open via this link, with a standard fee of US$1,700. As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for a -50% discount.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more people from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. Delegates attending the highly anticipated Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025 have until Saturday (10 May) to secure accommodation at preferential rates at Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona.

The special rates can be accessed via the exclusive booking link.

The Hilton Diagonal Mar, home to the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025, features expansive spaces for conferences and networking

Hosted this year by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will be held on 25-26 June in Barcelona.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the event will bring together senior executives from airports, F&B concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as business partners worldwide.

The conference will feature a distinguished line-up of leading industry experts, with more information on the conference programme available on the dedicated FAB 2025 website.

The Hilton Diagonal Mar offers convenient access to the Barcelona International Convention Centre and the Diagonal Mar Shopping Centre, both just a short walk away.

With 433 guestrooms and 22 meeting rooms, the hotel is an ideal setting for both business and leisure, with views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

Registration remains open via this link, with a standard fee of US$1,700. As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for a -50% discount.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more people from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. World-leading travel experience player Avolta is once again lending its support as Platinum Partner for the upcoming Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025, taking place on 25-26 June in Barcelona.

Hosted by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will bring together senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners from around the world.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the highly anticipated annual event will culminate in the FAB Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner on 26 June, with the FAB Superstars winners unveiled earlier during the conference.

Avolta was formed in 2023 through the business combination of travel retail powerhouse Dufry and the world’s leading travel-related F&B player Autogrill.

Avolta’s portfolio now extends to 73 countries and more than 1,000 locations, with over 5,100 points-of-sale across three segments – duty free, food & beverage and convenience. These are spread across various channels, including airports, motorways, cruises and ferries, railway, border shops and downtown.

Across its estate, Avolta enjoys access to 2.3 billion passengers each year and employs more than 76,000 people.

Avolta Chief Executive Officer Xavier Rossinyol said, “At Avolta, we live and breathe travel experiences and supporting a platform like FAB, the single most important food & beverage event in the travel industry, where ideas spark and partnerships flourish, is an ideal fit.

“As Platinum Sponsor, we can’t wait to kick off the gala dinner celebrations in style with Avolta’s hedonistic take on the welcome cocktail. And to do so in Barcelona, my hometown and a city that epitomises hospitality, is the cherry on top. We look forward to seeing you there.”

Rossinyol, who has led the company since 1 June 2022, has also been confirmed as part of the distinguished line-up of speakers at the event.

The highly respected industry figure served in Dufry’s leadership from 2004-2015, initially as CFO until 2012 before assuming the role of COO for EMEA and Asia.

He later headed gategroup as CEO for six years, overseeing the market-leading airline catering business. His professional background also includes experience with Grupo Áreas under Group Elior.

Avolta’s leadership team, including CEO Xavier Rossinyol (left) and CEO for Northern, Central and Eastern Europe Walter Seib, adds a powerful presence to the conference’s outstanding speaker line-up

Rossinyol will be joined by Walter Seib, another prominent industry leader who serves as CEO for Northern, Central and Eastern Europe at Avolta.

Seib leads Avolta’s operations across 17 European markets, driving growth and performance following the Dufry and Autogrill integration.

A seasoned leader with three decades in travel retail and foodservice, he previously served as HMSHost International CEO (2012-2023) and led Dutch chain La Place.

His stellar career began at Schiphol Airport (1993) before rising to HMSHost’s global executive team.

An influential industry voice, Seib chairs the FoodService Institute Netherlands while advising multiple boards, and shares his knowledge through guest lectures at Maastricht Hotel Management School.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

The Early Bird delegate pass is available for US$1,500 until tomorrow (30 April), after which the standard registration fee will rise to US$1,700. Delegates can secure this final chance for the special offer by accessing the registration portal through this link.

As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for an attractive -50% discount on both the Early Bird and regular registration fees.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more people from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. The Early Bird registration offer for the 2025 Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards in Barcelona (25-26 June) closes on 30 April, with delegates encouraged to sign up and benefit from discounted rates.

Delegates can access the registration portal through this link.

Hosted this year by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will bring together senior executives from airports, F&B concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as business partners worldwide.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the celebration will culminate in the FAB Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner on 26 June, with the FAB Superstars winners to be unveiled earlier during the conference.

As reported, an Early Bird delegate pass is available for US$1,500, with the standard registration fee rising to US$1,700 after the deadline.

As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for an attractive -50% discount on both the Early Bird and regular registration fees.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more people from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

The latest line-up of distinguished speakers was previously announced.

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. A growing list of notable names has been confirmed for the dynamic speaker programme at the upcoming Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards 2025, taking place on 25-26 June in Barcelona.

Hosted by Spanish airports operator Aena, the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will gather senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners from around the world.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the highly anticipated annual event will culminate in the FAB Awards Ceremony during the Gala Dinner on 26 June, with the FAB Superstars winners unveiled earlier during the conference.

Adding dazzle to the already stellar speaker line-up is Mélanie Guilldou, who was appointed CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail Saudi Arabia in October last year.

Guilldou’s leadership was instrumental to Lagardère Travel Retail’s growth, with her role in expanding operations from retail to dining, launching flagship locations and securing strategic partnerships.

From 2016 to 2024, she built and scaled the Foodservice division into the company’s fastest-growing business unit, expanding it across 25 countries.

Strategic force – Lagardère Travel Retail Saudi Arabia CEO Mélanie Guilldou (left) and Lagardère Travel Retail Deputy CEO Frédéric Chevalier bolster the already impressive line-up of conference speakers

Under her leadership, the division developed a portfolio of 200+ proprietary, partner and bespoke brands through strategic alliances. By 2024, it generated €1.7 billion (US$1.9 billion) in revenue, accounting for 23% of the company’s total sales, with 1,600 restaurants in 30 countries.

She also led the company’s CSR strategy from 2021 to 2023, and contributed to the development of Lagardère Travel Retail’s global CSR initiative, PEPS (Planet, Ethics, People, Social).

Joining her is Lagardère Travel Retail Deputy CEO Frédéric Chevalier, who has played a key role in steering the company’s Transformation Plan that started during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 and is recognised for his focus on operations and development.

Appointed Deputy CEO last year, Chevalier built his leadership through successive roles as Chief Business Officer in 2014 and Chief Operating Officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa from 2017 to 2024.

His career began in private equity and management consulting before joining the company in 2006, with rapid promotion to EVP for Strategy, Innovation and Sustainable Development by 2008.

SSP Global Head of Design and Store Formats Jo Pennycuick will also bring her wealth of industry expertise to the programme.

She took on the role of Global Head of Design and Store Formats at SSP in August 2023, after spending 25 years leading Redesign Group in New Zealand, where she mainly consulted for SSP internationally.

The roster grows with the addition of (from left) SSP Global Head of Design and Store Formats Jo Pennycuick; Fraport AG Key Account Manager Airport Retailing Mark Hallstein; and Travel Food Services Executive Director Varun Kapur

Since joining the company, she has been responsible for the design and construction of SSP’s units, collaborating with local teams from across different markets.

Pennycuick also serves as Co-Deputy Chair of the Women of Influence network and provides mentorship to SSP’s design company in India.

The conference will also feature Mark Hallstein, Fraport AG Key Account Manager Airport Retailing, who has been instrumental in developing the retail and dining offer at Frankfurt Airport since 2000, following an earlier stint at Nestlé Deutschland.

Hallstein oversees commercial operations at Fraport, managing over 150 properties and 20 partners generating €200 million (US$227 million) annually.

He is in charge of the company’s retail strategy and development projects, including Terminal 3, and supports international consulting. His focus includes lease negotiations, sector mix and enhancing the passenger experience through high-yield F&B concepts and strong team leadership.

Hallstein’s strategic leadership drives value across Fraport’s retail expansion through lease negotiations, sector mix strategies and high-yield food & beverage concepts.

Joining the speaker line-up is Varun Kapur, Executive Director of Travel Food Services, who brings over a decade of hands-on experience in leading the company’s strategy and operations.

Kapur continues to guide TFS’s growth, with operations spanning over 300 F&B outlets across Indian and Malaysian airports, and more than 30 lounges at major travel hubs, making it a key player in India’s airport hospitality sector.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

Registration for the Airport FAB + Hospitality Conference & Awards remains open via the official portal.

An Early Bird delegate pass is available for US$1,500 until 30 April, after which the standard registration fee is US$1,700. 

As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for an attractive -50% discount on both the Early Bird and regular registration fees.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more delegates from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce that the 2025 Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards and FAB Superstars Awards have attracted a record number of submissions, with more than 430 nominations received in total.

The awards will be the highlight of the Airport FAB + Hospitality Conference & Awards, hosted by Aena in Barcelona on 25-26 June.

This record-high number of entries underscores the increasing importance of the F&B and hospitality sectors, and the strong industry support for the event, which is shaping up to be another blockbuster edition.

Owned by The Moodie Davitt Report, the world’s only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event will bring together senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as business partners worldwide.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie (left) leads a distinguished panel of industry experts judging this year’s FAB Awards, representing top names in hospitality and travel retail, including industry veteran and consultant Nick Inkster (centre) and Concession Planning International Managing Partner Susan Gray

Judging begins today, with entries for both the FAB Awards and FAB Superstars Awards to be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges made up of highly respected industry experts, led by The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.

Other notable names joining the judging team this year are (from left) ECE Marketplaces Project Director – Leasing Services Jonathan Doughty; Hunter Palmer – Global Retail Solutions Co-Founder Nick Goddard-Palmer; The Hayward Partnership Airport and Airline F&B and M&A Specialist Robert Shepherd; and Trippas White Group CEO Kevin Zajax

The judging team includes industry veteran and consultant Nick Inkster; Concession Planning International Managing Partner Susan Gray; ECE Marketplaces Project Director – Leasing Services Jonathan Doughty; Hunter Palmer – Global Retail Solutions Co-Founder Nick Goddard-Palmer; The Hayward Partnership Airport and Airline F&B and M&A Specialist Robert Shepherd; and Trippas White Group CEO Kevin Zajax.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

Registration for the Airport FAB + Hospitality Conference & Awards is still open via the official portal.

An Early Bird delegate pass is available for US$1,500 until 30 April, after which the standard registration fee is US$1,700. 

As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for an attractive -50% discount on both the Early Bird and regular registration fees.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more delegates from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com. 

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.

SPAIN. A growing number of top-class industry figures are joining an already stellar line-up, setting the stage for the highly anticipated Airport Food and Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, to be held on 25-26 June in Barcelona.

Owned and organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, the event will be hosted by Spanish airports operator Aena, bringing together senior executives from airports, food & beverage concessionaires and hospitality service providers, as well as other business partners from around the world.

Among the latest confirmed speakers is Javier Marín, Executive Vice Chairman of Aena and Managing Director of Aena Internacional. He oversees Aena’s airports, commercial/real estate, innovation, sustainability, IT and international subsidiaries. He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors for Aeroportos do Nordeste do Brasil and Chairman of Bloco de Onze Aeroportos do Brasil.

Since joining Aena in 1991, the highly respected industry veteran has held several key roles, including Executive Board Member (since 2020), Managing Director of Airports and Air Navigation Services, and Director of Spanish Airports.

Our latest confirmed speakers: Aena Executive Vice Chairman Javier Marín (left) and Chairman and CEO Maurici Lucena 

Marín is also a member of Airports Council International (ACI) Europe’s Executive Committee, the Board of ACI World and the Madrid Territorial Council of IESE Alumni Association. He has served on the boards of numerous aeronautical infrastructure companies globally and was President of ACI Europe.

Another top Aena executive in the speaker line-up is Maurici Lucena, Chairman and CEO of the company since 2018.

Before his career at Aena, the highly regarded aviation executive has held important roles in both the public and private sectors. These included Director General of the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology, CEO of Ingeniería de Sistemas para la Defensa de España, and Chairman of the European Space Agency Council.

In the private sector, he worked at Banco Sabadell managing equity and regulatory affairs, and served as a Member of the Catalonia Parliament and as an associate professor at Carlos III University.

Also speaking at the conference is Aena General Director of Commercial and Real Estate Maria José Cuenda, who has been most notable for transforming Spain’s airports into thriving commercial hubs.

Aena Commercial and Real Estate Managing Director Maria José Cuenda (left) and Head of Commercial Services Anaïs Fábregas Almirall join the stellar line-up of speakers 

Her responsibilities also include modernising in-house services, such as VIP offerings and parking, and overseeing Aena’s real-estate projects, including the creation of ‘Airport Cities’.

Anaïs Fábregas Almirall has been leading the Commercial Services division at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport since October 2021, responsible for the growth, operations and continuous improvement of passenger services at the airport.

With over 20 years of experience in the aeronautical sector, her career began in Marketing and Communications, focusing on cargo development, before transitioning to Aena’s Real Estate Division, where she managed land and infrastructure projects.

Areas CEO Óscar Vela (left) and Areas Concepts & Standards Worldwide Director Mathieu Herrero will both be speaking at the Barcelona event

Other notable names in the line-up include Areas CEO Óscar Vela, a 30-year F&B veteran who has led the company’s global transformation since 2009, strengthening its presence in Spain, Portugal and France, while driving growth beyond Europe, particularly in the USA.

Under his leadership, Areas has achieved remarkable progress, focusing on operational excellence, innovation and sustainability. Vela’s vision has been instrumental in the company’s success and its continued growth in the competitive travel retail market.

Also speaking at the event is Areas Concepts & Standards Worldwide Director Mathieu Herrero. With over 25 years’ experience in food and hospitality, Herrero has held leadership roles in Business Development, Marketing and ESG. Leading Areas’ business division, he manages operations across more than 2,000 locations in 11 countries, serving 350 million customers annually.

His strategic focus on sustainability and partnerships strengthens Areas’ status as a market leader.

Other big-name industry leaders speaking at the conference include SEA Milan Airports CEO and Managing Director Armando Brunini, who also serves as Vice President of Assaeroporti (Association of Italian Airports) and President of ACI Europe.

Also to feature in June are SEA Milan Airports CEO & Managing Director Armando Brunini (left) and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico CEO Raúl Revuelta Musalem

Brunini brings extensive airport leadership and consulting experience to his current role, having held key positions at Gestione Servizi Aeroporti Campani (managing Naples and Salerno airports), Eurofly, Aeroporti di Roma, Bologna Airport, as well as consultancy firms KPMG, PwC and AT Kearney.

Also speaking at the upcoming event is Raúl Revuelta Musalem, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico CEO since 2018.

A 22-year infrastructure and aviation veteran, his leadership roles include CFO and CCO at the company. He also served as CEO of Cross Border Xpress and Deputy Director of Finance at Mexico’s Secretariat of Communications and Transportation.

At present, he serves as Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Airports Council International.

Click on the cover to view highlights from the last Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which took place in Ontario, California on 25-26 June

As reported, registration for the Airport FAB + Hospitality Conference & Awards is now open via the official portal.

An Early Bird delegate pass is available for US$1,500 until 30 April, after which the standard registration fee is US$1,700. 

As part of our commitment to industry engagement, airport delegates are eligible for an attractive -50% discount on both the Early Bird and regular registration fees.

Non-airport delegates can benefit from a -20% group discount when three or more delegates from the same company register together. Email Events@MoodieDavittReport.com for a discount code. 

For general enquiries on FAB, please contact Vincci Chung, Associate Director, Events at Vincci@moodiedavittreport.com.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for your complimentary subscription.