BETHESDA, MD —Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) has honored global
restaurateur HMSHost with its ACI-NA Inclusion Champion Award for the World Business
Partners/Associates category. These awards recognize sustained practices in the areas of
business inclusion, workforce inclusion, and development and promotion of the future growth and
diversity of the aviation industry. Awards were officially presented at the Chairman’s Honors
Breakfast on September 10, during the ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Atlanta,
Georgia.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled about being honored with this esteemed award. HMSHost is
dedicated to diversity within our operations and workforce, and we are strong proponents of
rewarding and developing the diverse individuals and businesses that represent the future of our
business,” said HMSHost President and CEO Steve Johnson.” This award will serve as a source
of pride, made possible by all of HMSHost’s associates, as well as the many diverse businesses
we partner with across the country.”
Through a systematic approach to achieving diversity in operations, HMSHost has been successful
in creating contracting opportunities for airport concessions disadvantaged business enterprises
(ACDBEs), and currently has more than 100 diverse partners in 50 airports across the country.
Participation in organizations such as the Women’s Foodservice Forum and associate programs
such as HMSHost’s Operations Leadership Development Program has helped ensure diversity in
the company’s workforce. Through this commitment to workforce diversity, HMSHost has achieved
a 61% female hire rate and a 63% minority hire rate over the last two years.
From a development perspective, HMSHost has been a long-standing, active member of the
Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) by planning conferences, introducing women and
minority entrepreneurs to the airport concessions business, and supporting scholarship programs.
The company has also established scholarships to promote the development of future industry
professionals in the minority community.
Airports Council International–North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies
that own and operate commercial airports in the U.S. and Canada. The annual conference and
exhibition attracts numerous delegates and exhibitors from more than 150 airports from the U.S.
and Canada. The Inclusion Champion Awards are a unique opportunity for the airport industry to
recognize successful, innovative, and sustainable diversity practices.
About HMSHost
Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost
operates in more than 100 airports around the globe, including the 20 busiest airports in North
America. The Company has annual sales in excess of $2.7 billion and employs more than 30,000
sales associates worldwide. HMSHost is a part of Autogrill Group, the world’s leading provider of
food & beverage services for people on the move. With sales of around €4 billion in 2013, the
Group operates in 30 countries and employs some 56,000 people. It manages approximately
4,700 stores in over 1,000 locations worldwide. Visit www.HMSHost.com for more information. We
can also be found on Facebook at fb.com/HMSHost.
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