Airport Experience Conference 2027
Event Date
March 14–17, 2027
Location
San Diego, CA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Airport Experience Conference (AXC) is an annual B2B event serving the airport concessions and traveler-experience industry. The Airport Experience Conference has long been the premier show for airports and companies seeking to learn about the latest trends and innovative strategies in the airport concessions world, with compelling educational sessions interspersed with valuable networking opportunities that allow brand owners to meet face-to-face with airport decision-makers. Organized by Airport Experience News (AXN), the 2027 edition is the 23rd annual gathering.
The conference features the largest gathering of airport decision-makers and concession executives for any show throughout the year, with sessions presented by leading experts who share their research and expertise on cutting-edge trends and business strategies in food and beverage, retail, technology, customer service and much more, while the Experience Hall showcases the foremost brands, concepts and operators in the industry.
Airport executives, commercial property managers, CEOs, concession decision-makers, business development directors and more converge each year to do business and keep current with the trends — if you work in the airport or concessions industry, there is no other event with these opportunities to connect and network with hard-to-reach decision-makers.
Show Highlights
Signature elements of the Airport Experience Conference include:
- Educational sessions — conference sessions presented by leading experts who share their research and expertise on cutting-edge trends and business strategies in food and beverage, retail, technology, customer service and much more.
- The Experience Hall — showcases the foremost brands, concepts and operators in the industry.
- Networking — an environment that fosters relationship building, idea sharing and other networking opportunities.
- On-site resort experience — all conference activities are held at the resort, so staying onsite means you'll be steps away from session rooms, meals, the Experience Hall, and evening networking.
Registration
Registration is handled through the official Airport Experience Conference website (airportxnews.com). For general attendee questions, the organizer can be contacted at conference@airportxnews.com.
For lodging, book only through the official partner: rooms can be reserved through Connections Housing, the official housing partner — beware of housing solicitations, as only Connections Housing and US Tradeshows are official partners, and all other offers are not affiliated with AX.
History
The Airport Experience Conference is a long-running industry event; for more than a decade, the airport concessions industry has chosen the Airport Experience Conference as the annual must-attend event. The San Diego 2027 edition marks the 23rd annual conference. In past years the conference has been held in Denver, CO in 2020, Dallas, TX in 2021 and Orlando, FL in February 2022. More recent editions were hosted in Washington, D.C. (2024 and 2025) and Nashville, TN (2026) before moving to San Diego for 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Airport Experience Conference 2027?
The 23rd annual Airport Experience Conference takes place March 14–17, 2027, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center at 1000 H Street, Chula Vista, in the San Diego, CA area.
Who should attend the Airport Experience Conference?
The event draws airport executives, commercial property managers, CEOs, concession decision-makers and business development directors. Anyone working in the airport or airport concessions industry — across food and beverage, retail, technology and customer service — will benefit from attending.
What happens at the conference?
Attendees take part in educational sessions led by industry experts, explore brands and operators in the Experience Hall, and connect through extensive networking. The program covers trends and strategies in food and beverage, retail, technology and customer service.
How do I book a hotel room for the conference?
All conference activities are held at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, and staying onsite puts you steps from sessions, meals and networking. Rooms should be reserved through Connections Housing, the official housing partner; only Connections Housing and US Tradeshows are official partners.
What is the nearest airport and how do I get to the venue?
The closest airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN), about 15–20 minutes and roughly 9 miles from the Gaylord Pacific. The resort is located near Exit 8a on Interstate 5, and rideshare, taxi and on-site parking (including valet) are available.
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