PHL Holds Third Annual Airport Concessions Academy for Small Businesses
In May, the Department of Aviation held its third annual Philadelphia Airport Concessions Academy. This event helps small, regional, and diverse businesses have better knowledge and access to the opportunities…
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In May, the Department of Aviation held its third annual Philadelphia Airport Concessions Academy. This event helps small, regional, and diverse businesses have better knowledge and access to the opportunities provided by the concessions program at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and other airports.
Five modules take place from May through September 2025. According to a PHL news release, during the first session, members of the Department of Aviation's commercial team, the Office of Business Diversity, and Marketplace PHL provided attendees with an overview of the airport, PHL's concessions program, and business requirements. Upcoming modules in the academy will focus on the following:
- Small business inclusion in PHL's vendor list and MarketPlace PHL's leasing outreach database
- An overview of leasing cycles and key leasing conditions
- How to review estimated cash flow needs
- Connecting with lenders who can provide information on financing
According to PHL, attendees who complete the remaining academy modules will leave the academy with a comprehensive understanding of PHL's warehousing and distribution system, as well as staffing needs and operational procedures.
Academy participants will also get practice writing a mock Request for Proposal (RFP) for concession space at PHL and developing responses to RFPs.
“We want to enable more small businesses to join PHL's concessions program,” said Department of Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Kate Sullivan in the release. “They enhance the passenger experience and offer unique products and services that reflect Philadelphia's culture. The Academy sessions help business owners gain inside knowledge of what it takes to be a concession.”
