On May 14, the Department of Aviation hosted its third annual Philadelphia Airport Concessions Academy. The academy focuses on helping small, regional, and diverse firms better understand and access the opportunities offered by the concessions program at PHL and other airports. Five modules are held from May through September 2025. In the first session, members of the Department of Aviation’s Commercial team, Office of Business Diversity, and MarketPlace PHL provided attendees with an overview of the airport, PHL’s current concessions program, and business requirements.
"The Airport Concessions Academy offers a unique opportunity for a select group of small businesses that have undergone a competitive vetting process to learn about airport concessions,” said Department of Aviation Vice President of DEI & Workforce Development Donna Jackson Stephans. It's important to provide small business owners with the information they need to do business at PHL. Through our five comprehensive modules, participants are introduced to business opportunities and learn the acumen needed to excel, fostering connections and networks that could change the trajectory of their lives and businesses."
Upcoming modules in the academy will include small business inclusion in PHL’s vendor list and MarketPlace PHL’s leasing outreach database, along with an overview of leasing cycles and key leasing terms and conditions. In the academy, participants can look forward to learning how to review estimated cash flow needs and meeting lenders who will provide information on financing options.
Attendees who complete the remaining academy modules will leave with a comprehensive understanding of PHL’s warehousing and distribution system, along with key staffing considerations and operational processes.
Participants in the academy will also work on a mock Request for Proposal (RFP) for concession space at PHL and brainstorm (RFP) proposal responses. They will utilize and pull from personal business experience and newly learned knowledge from previous academy modules and participants. The first module concluded with a self-assessment of attendees and their business readiness.
“We want to enable more small businesses to join PHL’s concessions program,” said Department of Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Kate Sullivan. “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.”
The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) currently has approximately 170 locations in its food and shops programs.
