b'CONCESSIONSPHL47Ready, Set, NetworkAbout 150 guests from nearly 50 small local businesses attended the event to market their wares; about 40 airport concessionaires participated to shop for new vendors. The format allowed representatives from small local businesses to circulate among tables staffed by large and small airport concessionaires for impromptu conversations about potential business collaborations.There was also a Pitchadelphia element (patterned after the concept of succinct elevator pitches) that allowed small businesses to create 60-second videos marketing their products. The overall event was on brand for PHL, which has long had a strong local presence throughout its terminals and concourses. In fact, it was one of the first U.S. airports to feature kiosks, a format that gives small businesses the opportunity to enter the sought-after selling environment for a relatively low financial investment. The airport has even run a Concessions Academy to help prospective operators prepare for new experiences. And now were creating [another] kind of entry point for businesses who maybe dont want to have a full store, dont have a broad enough product mix for a store, explains Sullivan. Were giving them the option and tools to try to get into the airport.To connect with companies that might not be aware of opportunities at PHL, airport staff and MarketPlace PHL advertised their networking event in the Philadelphia Business Journal and reached out to business associations, chambers of commerce and other area groups. They also took a highly targeted approach and dropped into the DMs (direct message threads) of companies producing goods that could help the airport demonstrate what makes Philadelphia unique. Anybody we believed would be a good representation for our traveler, for the passengers, we reached out to, Krawchuk says.The strategy worked well for Onsite Travel Essentials, a retail shop that opened between concourses B and C this past December. From the beginning, Onsite planned to showcase local products, including Emmas Gourmet Popcorn, tea towels and other screen-printed items from Girls Can Tell, Martins Potato Chips and Sweetzels spiced molasses cookies. It even created a store-within-a-store for Hakims Bookstore, the oldest Black-was like speed dating for existing concessionaires and small localowned bookstore on the East Coast. businesses that aspire to have millions of travelers eyes on their products.At the recent recruitment event, Onsite found four more local vendors: Parcel Island (for funny greeting cards, stationery, etc.), We were hearing that some of ourexit343design (Philly-theme totes, apparel and other gifts), Skips operators were really having a hard timeCandles and The Famous 4th Street Cookies. identifying those local opportunities, explains Dana Krawchuk, marketing and guestAll four have received positive customer experience manager at MarketPlace PHL.feedback and remain popular, reports Patricia Daguro, a buyer for Onsite Retailers. Thats how the business-to-businessWe have retained contact information for networking mixer was developed.other vendors we met in case of future DANA KRAWCHUKWe really wanted to make sure we wereopportunities.continuing to offer all the amazing things we have to representThe airport store even created a special Philadelphia, says Krawchuk. We recognized a really positivedisplay table and a rotating pop-up section toPATRICIA DAGUROopportunity to make sure the small business community washighlight the new local merchandise. really shining at the airport.AirportImprovement.comMarch | April 2026'