Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and the City of Austin’s Small Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) have launched a new initiative to support small businesses interested in airport concessions. The program, named Gateway 2 Concessions, is a three-part series aimed at providing prospective concessionaires with essential tools and insights to navigate the airport business environment.
The initiative is part of AUS’s Journey With AUS expansion program, which seeks innovative and diverse small businesses to join one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of AUS, emphasized the importance of local brands, stating, “We’re building the future of AUS, and we want small businesses to help shape that future.” She highlighted this as an opportunity for local brands to gain global exposure.
Edward Campos, Director of SMBR, noted that the series offers valuable insights from industry experts. “Our upcoming series gives small, local, and diverse businesses a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the Airport Concessions business from industry experts,” he said.
The Gateway 2 Concessions Prep Course Series includes three workshops:
1. Gate 1: Understanding the ACDBE Program on September 3 will cover foundational aspects of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.
2. Gate 2: A Real Look into Concession Opportunities on September 10 will feature Cassandra Boseman from ONE Enterprise Group and require registration for attendance.
3. Gate 3: Business Concepts and Revenue Contracts on September 17 will focus on business capabilities and certification requirements.
Interested parties can register for these courses through the Gateway 2 Concessions Prep Course Series link provided by AUS. More information about AUS’s expansion can be found at Austintexas.gov/AUSJourney.
Information from this article can be found here.
