This award was rightly recognised as one of the most important of the night.

The winning entry from Denver Airport tells a story of offering opportunity to businesses that might think they will never get a chance to operate at airports. The Business Development Training Academy gives small businesses a systematic approach to entering the airport as a subcontractor across multiple sectors including concessions. The three primary goals are to create, educate and cultivate an environment where small businesses can grow and connect with other stakeholders and industry groups.

A quote from the company itself sums it up beautifully: “We are that beacon of hope. We are that catalyst for change. We are a hospitality provider rooted and dedicated to equity, diversity and excellence. It’s not enough just to say it. We need to show it.”

The category also had one regional winner and one Highly Commended.

The regional winner was Travel Food Services, offering a wonderful example of diversity in action. This was a substantial entry representing a culture that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion at every level.

The Highly Commended was Paper Planes Café at Vancouver Airport. This beautiful initiative focuses on autism and empowering neurodiverse individuals with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce.