PANYNJ Symposium Opens
Doors for Airport Concessions
Port invites interested businesses to discuss new opportunities
Concessions Symposium Panel: PANYNJ Security Kim Dickie, Corliss Stone-Littles, PANYNJ Concessions Julia
Rozendent, Hudson Group Mario Scorcia, Carney Airport Consulting Demetrius Carney, RCGA Architects Robert
Gaskin, Strategic Alliances Ronald Gomes, PANYNJ Susan Dooley; PANYNJ Suzette Bather-Taylor.
AIRPORT VOICE, OCTOBER 2019 5
The expansion and redevelopment
of Port Authority airports
in NY & NJ is unparalleled.
All three, JFK, Newark
and LaGuardia are in the process
of major changes to meet
the demands of travelers and
to offer the best in class service
from Metro NY.
To this end, the Port held
its first over arching concessions
opportunity symposium
at the Queens Borough Hall,
inviting all those interested
in a concession to come meet,
hear and question Port and industry
experts.
It was a full day symposium
with panel discussions,
presentations, personal stories
and suggestions from current
concessionaires, legal,
financial, security and consultants
individuals to help interested
businesses owners. The
discussion
According to many attendees,
“this was an excellent introduction”
to the competencies
required, the financial
needs, and tools necessary to
run a concession. To others,
it was a reality check on what
it takes to start and run a successful
business.
Governor Cuomo had
mandated a minimum of 30%
MWBE and minority participation
in the airport redevelopment
so the symposium
panel discussed the Airport
Concession Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (ACDBE)
inclusion opportunity as well.
Current Newark concessionaire
Gina Stern of DepartureSpa
said this about the
event, “ What you have here is
the best. There has never been
a more fertile ground for minorities.
Remember, preparation
means success.’”
According to Suzette
Bather-Taylor, Port Sr. Program
Director office of Diversity
& Inclusion who addressed
all who participated
said, “ These are a myriad
of opportunities available to
you. This is the first event of
many to come for these redevelopments.”
Governor's Redevelopment Advisory Council member Philippa Karteron.
PANYNJ Chief, Diversity & Inclusion Officer Michael Massiah, McKissack &
Mckissack V.P. Kimberly Hardy.
Aviation redevelopment team, John Vicinanza, Hersh Parekh, Raquel
Moss, Emanuela Sanchez, Stacey Gilbert, Natasha Turner, Larry Gallegos.
Daniel Garcia, Salsa Caterers; Nicholas Crews, Crews , participants in the
day's events.
Christopher Roberts and Joan Lewis pwners of The Door restaurant seek
opportunitiy. Photopage by Jeff Yapalaters