Airport concession redesign honored

The Gateway Construction Project at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport has garnered recognition from other aviation professionals.

The airport received two “Best Of” awards from Airport Revenue News (ARN) during the organization’s 2015 Revenue Conference and Exhibition in San Diego March 8-11.

In the small airport category, RNO was awarded Best Concession Program Design and the Airport with the Best Amenities.

“What makes this award sought after in our industry is that it validates the redesign of our terminal in the eyes of our peers,” Marily Mora, Airport Authority president and CEO, said in a written statement announcing the awards.

“We have already received great customer feedback on the new stores, restaurants and the re-design of the checkpoint; but the ARN award honors the work that went into creating a new airport experience for our customers.”

ARN is a leading publication in the aviation industry. Industry professionals in airports and concessions submit nominations for the awards.

The ARN awards were started in 2003 to raise the standards of airport concessions programs. More than 3,300 votes were cast in the second round of the voting for this year’s honors.

About 3.4 million passengers pass through the Reno-Tahoe International Airport each year. In the small airport category, it competed against airports such as Albuquerque International Sunport, Long Beach, Pittsburgh International and Indianapolis International.

Airport officials attribute the award recognition to the Gateway Construction Project, competed in 2013.

The architect for the project was Gresham, Smith & Partners with Q&D Construction, Inc., of Sparks serving as the general contractor for the overall project. Individual concessionaires also had design contractors for their own businesses.

The Gateway Construction Project upgraded the restaurant and retail options for airport passengers. In addition, amenities such as the Wolf Pack Wall, Children’s Play Area, Native American display, DepARTures Art Gallery and the Nevada Mining Display feature art and entertainment for an enhanced travel experience.

The open design includes colors and features reminiscent of the Reno-Tahoe area.

“The goal was to give our passengers a sense of place as they arrived and departed our community,” Mora said. “Our peers in the industry agreed that we achieved that.”