2019 Speakers

In his role as CEO of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Sean Donohue is responsible for the management, operation, strategy and development of the airport – the fourth-busiest in the world.

Daniel Cappell is a dedicated aviation professional with many years of experience across the three sides of airport concessions – airport operator, retailer and supplier. He is one of only three executives worldwide to have held senior executive positions with an international brand, with duty free operators and with airport authorities.

Having joined SSP in May 2018, Jonathan Sharp is focused on SSP’s strategic growth plans and ensuring value delivery across the Group. His remit covers data-driven commercial enhancements, digital/technological developments and operational improvement. He also has ultimate responsibility for the general management of SSP’s EEME region.

Andrew Day is Group CEO of Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) and Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI), with businesses spanning hospitality and food & beverage across the Gulf, Indian Ocean, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Eugene Barry joined Dubai Airports in 2009, and is responsible for leading and developing the company’s aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue portfolio, covering the airport business of both Dubai International and Dubai World Central.

Steve Johnson is President and CEO of HMSHost Corporation, a world leader in creating dining for travel venues.

HMSHost Corporation is a global restaurateur and a world leader in delivering innovative dining solutions in travel venues, and since joining the company in 2000 Steve has played a critical role in the growth and development of its core business. HMSHost operates in more than 120 airports.

Sarah Naqvi is Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for HMSHost Corporation, a global restaurateur and world leader in creating dining for travel venues.

Alby Tsang is currently General Manager, Retail Portfolio at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). He manages a portfolio of more than 400 retail and F&B units at the airport, which is one of the world’s busiest. He works closely with the tenants to deliver a world-class airport retail experience through a strong trade mix, appealing retail ambience and convenient services, as well as active passenger engagement.

Rick Blatstein is the founder and CEO of OTG – an award-winning company which specialises in elevating the customer experience at airports.

Having established more than 350 locations across ten airports in North America, Rick has overseen the growth of a company that he initially formed with just over a dozen locations in 1996 at Philadelphia International Airport.

Mike Ward joined Manchester Airport in 2017 as Head of Retail, responsible for the day-to-day performance of the retail offer across three terminal and the ground transport interchange facility. Manchester, the UK’s third busiest airport, is part of the MAG group which also includes East Midlands and London Stansted airports in the UK together with a growing UK and US lounge business, extensive property interests and a strategy of further global expansion.

Ken Buchanan oversees the Customer Experience, Concessions, Marketing and Parking departments at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. He is responsible for directing new strategies related to ground transportation, parking revenues, parking operations and guest transportation.

As CEO of Midway Partnership, Sammy Patel leads Vantage’s non-aeronautical initiatives. Having joined Vantage in the UK in 2010 he moved to the corporate office in Vancouver shortly after and, following the successful bid for Chicago Midway International Airport, moved to Chicago in 2017.

Zenola Campbell serves as the Vice President of Concessions at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). In this position she develops strategies that focus on maximising revenues in the areas of passenger-related concessions, advertising, rental cars, sponsorships and related revenues within the airport terminals, which also include passenger services enhancements and telecommunications.

Laurie Noyes is a seasoned professional with over twenty years’ experience in shopping centre and airport concessions management. Ms. Noyes is currently the Vice President of Airport Concessions and Commercial Parking at Tampa International Airport (TPA) where her primary focus is the airport concessions, rental cars, commercial parking , revenue optimization, identifying and implementing new sources of non-aviation revenues and bringing additional focus to the quality of the customer experience.

Linda Valdez Thompson is the Executive Vice President of Administration and Diversity at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Since joining DFW Airport in 2001, Linda provides strategic leadership for Human Resources, Procurement and Materials Management, Risk Management, Business Diversity and Development, and Corporate Communications & Marketing functions.

Giovanna Verrilli is an ambitious retail director with a demonstrated history of driving strong sales performance at Toronto Pearson International Airport (GTAA), Canada’s largest airport, through innovative, integrated concepts, designs and operational excellence.

Cristina Alcivar is the Founder of Vane Airport Media, a Canadian company that publishes the latest news about health and wellness airport services and amenities. The publication covers airport healthy food trends, spas and much more. Vane Airport Media publishes an annual Airport Wellness Trends Report which highlights wellness both at airports and inflight.

Kathy Casey is a celebrated chef, mixologist, and trail blazing entrepreneur. Often touted as the original Bar Chef, Kathy has been named one of the top ten most influential bar people of the past 25 years. She is also a James Beard nominee and a Julia Child award winner, and early in her career was named a Food & Wine ‘Hot New American Chef’.

Maeve Webster, President of Menu Matters, is a leading consultant and thought leader for the foodservice industry. She has spearheaded hundreds of major industry studies during her 18 years as a foodservice specialist, and today runs a private consultancy focused on working with foodservice professionals to analyse, understand and leverage food and consumer behaviour trends.

Nine days after graduating from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Geoff Alexander joined Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE), a leading national restaurant company based in Chicago. In 2009, after two decades of working on multiple concepts within LEYE’s portfolio, he took over as President of the three-unit Wow Bao concept – a fast-casual Asian restaurant specialising in steamed buns (bao) and rice bowls.

Plaza Premium Group has become the benchmark for airport value-added services. The Group’s success has prompted airport authorities worldwide to open independent lounge facilities and value-added airport services as part of a bid to enhance the overall traveller experience and airport service quality.

Regynald G. Washington is a former elected officer and Board member of the National Restaurant Association and served as chairman of the board.

He is currently President of Paradies Lagardère Dining Division, an Atlanta-based restaurant and travel retail company operating 174 restaurants in 43 airports across the USA and Canada with revenue in excess of US$350 million.

Suzy Badaracco is a toxicologist, a chef and a registered dietitian. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminalistics, an Associate degree in Culinary Arts, and a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition.

Ronny Gjøse is a seasoned food industry professional, with expertise in developing and growing successful restaurant chains and concepts.

Fired by his passion for innovative food concepts, taking on new challenges and leading strategic change, in 2017 Ronny joined up with the co-founders of fast-casual Norwegian chain Pink Fish.

Mirela Rusu is a seasoned leader with deep expertise in commercial retail, leasing, real estate and concessions planning and management, playing a critical role in defining and implementing focused strategic objectives pertaining to customer experience and innovation.

In 2013 Mustafa Al Hashimi and his partner Talha Al Hashimi founded HWH Hospitality Investments by developing F&B concepts to address a gap in the market.

Pat Murray is charged with developing and growing SSP America’s portfolio across North America, overseeing a division responsible for business development, design & construction, brands & concepts, strategic partnerships, and corporate marketing and communications.

Jo Pennycuick is the founder of Redesign Group NZ – a multidisciplinary design practice offering an extensive range of services including spatial design, retail and F&B design, airport and commercial office planning, graphic design and branding.

Joy Butler is Senior Director of Business Relationship Management at HMSHost, a global restaurateur and world leader in delivering innovative dining solutions in travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 120 airports around the globe and at more than 100 travel plazas in North America.

A passionate customer service advocate and a visionary leader in technology, Daniel Rogers has been a driving force in shaping and accelerating the market around in-store digital self-service. He has assembled a team of industry and technology experts and developed one of the most powerful multichannel digital commerce platforms in the hospitality sector.

Clara Perez leads m1nd-set’s team of analysts working on travel retail research projects and manages m1nd-set’s consultancy work for global clients from various travel retail categories, as well as industry associations and several leading retailers.

Nicholas Buford Crews has more than 12 years of experience in the airport retail, food & beverage hospitality industry. As President/Managing Partner of Crews and President of Nicholas & Associates, a Los Angeles-based Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) firm, Nick oversees operations of one of the fastest-growing ACDBE airport F&B and retail companies in the US.

Sean Warren is the Director of New Restaurant Growth at Chick-fil-A – one of America’s most trusted and recognised brands. Sales in 2018 topped U$10 billion. Having been with Chick-fil-A for the past 19 years, Sean and his team have expanded the non-traditional restaurant portfolio to more than 400 restaurants across North America.

As Senior Manager, Customer Experience and Strategy for Airport Service Quality (ASQ), André Bolduc is responsible for the evolution of ACI’s Airport Customer Experience programmes, practices and commercial strategy along with maintaining strong relationships with ACI’s global airport membership.

Victor Fernandez is TDn2K’s most senior analyst and compensation specialist. He is responsible for creating, developing and delivering insights to restaurant companies. His work provides the human capital and financial business intelligence they need to successfully run their businesses in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Martin Moodie created The Moodie Davitt Report (then called The Moodie Report) in 2002, driving it to prominence from a start-up to the leading provider of business intelligence for the travel retail and airport commercial revenue sectors. He also conceived The Trinity Forum, The Foodie Report and the Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards.

Dermot Davitt is one of the most experienced editors and commentators working in the travel retail media. He joined what was then The Moodie Report in April 2006 as Deputy Publisher, becoming a shareholder and President in August 2015.