b'COMMUNITY RELATIONSPHL | PNE45Data RichMuch of the content presented was information Schmid deems standard, such as existing airline routes, new routes recently secured and details about new and Philadelphia-centric concessions. Results of the economic impact study were announced by Ethan Conner-Ross, executive vice president and principal of Econsult Solutions Inc., the firm that conducted the 2023 study and others inETHAN CONNER-ROSS2015 and 2018. For the most recent study, Econsult began data collection early in calendar year 2024 with the goal of quantifying the annual level of impact in 2023. The report production process took around six months, with roughly two-month phases for data collection, economic analysis and producing the report. Economic impact studies are an opportunity for an airport system to benchmark its progress, and also to aggregate all of the different ways that it contributes to a regional economy to communicate those contributions to key airport achievements shortly after he beganthat conversationsstakeholders including policymakers, the his duties as chief executive officer inbegan in April 2024business community and residents of the December 2022. to determine theregion, Connor-Ross explains. In this framework for thecase, the team knew much had changed Atif came into PHL and saw all thein the travel industry since the last study amazing work that this incredible teamState of the Airport presentation. A majordue to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal has been doing year after year, Schmidof this exercise was to establish a new explains. He really wanted to ensurefocus was making sure that contentHEATHER REDFERN post-COVID baseline for annual impact that the successes were highlighted andthat PHL can measure progress against that we were telling the story of how thewas approachable and meaningful for the entire audience,as its activity continues to grow going work gets done, and who the people areforward.that are involved in it. He wanted to bewhich would include stakeholders such transparent about where we are going asas airlines, concessionaires, rentalConner-Ross applauds the airport an organization as well. car agencies, Customs and Borderfor holding a State of the Airport event Protection, TSA and others that makebecause it provided an opportunity to After Saeed made his wishes known,the airports run on a day-to-day basis.report results of the impact study, share the Strategy Division took it to anotherBusiness, community and tourismindustry trends and outline PHLs strategy level. In addition to securing thepartners were another key block, alongand focus going forward. Pennsylvania Convention Center as thewith Philadelphias elected officials and event venue, staff members planned thecommunity leaders.In a region that covers many different program in detail.jurisdictions across multiple states, We really tried to think through theairports are one of the region-wide assets There was a lot of research involved,various audiences we serve as an airportthat benefit everyone, Conner-Ross says. and our amazing team members were theand made sure that everyone was includedWe all have a stake in their success, from ones at the helm of that, Schmid says. and had the opportunity to attend anda quality of life and business point of view, Heather Redfern, public affairs manageractively participate, Schmid notes. but also as a point of civic pridealmost for the Department of Aviation, noteslike a sports team. The event was a AirportImprovement.comMarch | April 2025'