b'CONCESSIONSSYR73There are Priority Pass lounges all over the country, and the world, actually, and our little tiny airportSyracuseearned Highly Commended honors among the best-ratedLINDA RYANlounges of the year, notes Linda Ryan, the Airport Authoritys Terminal Concessions and Advertising manager. Ryan credits Gideon Toal Management Services for its strong leadership and enthusiasm in enhancing passenger amenities and expanding options at SYR.Our concessions experience here at Syracuse was probably less than par, says Ryan of the airports previous era. But once the lounge got here, we saw what Gideon Toal Management Services could do. It was apparent they created a whole new culture in concessions, and I think everybody felt it when they walked through the door.Broader PartnershipWhen SYR received $20 million for its terminal expansion project through New Yorks Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, expanding concessions was an associated requirement. That prompted management to once again interest among developers in opening aarea, and local fare includes prime beefcollaborate with Gideon Toal Management lounge at the joint civil-military airport inbrisket and barbecue sauce from localServices.upstate New York, the Airport AuthorityDinosaur Bar-B-Que, with Utica Club, aWe were looking for a partner to develop issued a request for proposals in 2021. Bypremium local pilsner-lager served on tap. two brand new [food and beverage] June 2023, CAVU debuted Escape LoungeThe Syracuse lounge may be one ofconcepts, so it was quite an achievement SYR in the airports terminal connectorour smaller locations across the Unitedto find somebody that wanted to do just under the managerial hand of Gideon ToalStates, but it delivers the same Escapethat, says Mehl, explaining that prime Management Services, a certified AirportLounge hallmarksquality culinaryconcessionaires often want all concessions Concession Disadvantaged Businessoptions, comfortable seating, reliableat small airports rather than a select few. Enterprise (ACDBE). Wi-Fi and attentive servicescaled forBut with the relationship we established with the local markets flight schedule andGideon Toal Management Services operating Making an Escape passenger mix, says Way. CAVU hasthe lounge, we were successful in partnering Trevor Way, directoralso leaned into subtle regional touches inonce again. We felt comfortable with them, of corporatemenu planning and hospitality style, so itand they felt comfortable with usenough development andfeels like Syracuse, not a generic loungeso that they were willing to swoop in and brand deliverystamped into place. say, Yeah, lets take that chance. with Gideon Toal Management Services,In fact, Escape Lounge SYR was oneIn addition to operating the two new says SYRs loungeof only two North American locations toconcessions, Gideon Toal Management delivers right-sizedTREVOR WAY win 2024 Priority Pass Excellence AwardsServices is also the franchisee.intimacy with a localbased on traveler reviews. (VIP LoungeAs we worked alongside the airport team Adirondacks feel. Artwork from SyracuseAguascalientes at Jesus Teran Peredoand CAVU, we developed a strong working University gives a nod to the 33 collegesInternational Airport in Mexico took toprelationship and a clear understanding of and universities in the airports catchmenthonors for the continent.)AirportImprovement.comOctober 2025'