By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority received the Peggy G. Hereford Award for Overall Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience from the Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) at its annual awards, held on Oct. 29 in San Francisco.
Recognized as the highest honor an airport can earn for marketing and communications, the Peggy G. Hereford Award is given to the airport with the most category wins at the Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience Awards. Marketing and Communications Manager Haley Abbas and Communications and Events Associate Heidi Groenboom were at the event to accept the award, which also recognized first place wins in four categories.
“We are extremely proud ACI-NA has recognized the Airport’s marketing efforts led by Haley and Heidi,” said Ford International Airport Authority President and CEO Tory Richardson. “This award reflects our continued efforts to make a meaningful impact in the aviation industry.
“From creative advertising, robust public relations and innovative guest experience efforts, our team works to position the Gerald R. Ford International Airport as West Michigan’s gateway to the world. These awards were incredibly competitive, further underscoring the excellent work coming from our dedicated teams.”
This year, nearly 400 entries across 25 categories were submitted to ACI-NA, showcasing the top airports across North America and the efforts of their dedicated airport staff to creatively market, promote and communicate their airport’s customer service capabilities and initiatives.
“We work hard to show the value the Ford International Airport delivers to our community,” Abbas said. “It is incredibly special and humbling to be recognized by our peers for our efforts to enhance our marketing and communications so we can continue to serve our community in an intentional and thoughtful way.
“We also thank our advertising partners at Extra Credit Projects, who have worked alongside us to elevate our brand and provide ongoing creative services.”
In addition to the Peggy G. Hereford Award, the Ford International Airport won individual awards in the following categories:
- Annual report, recognizing the annual report that best projects a positive image for the airport through well-written and well-organized content, excellent design and well-conceived overall packaging.
- Print communications, recognizing excellence in brochures and print advertising to highlight a specific event, industry segment or special offer.
- Community education and outreach, recognizing airports with the most creative and effective community outreach and aviation education programs conducted online, inside or outside the airport.
- Marketing programs for a small airport, recognizing the airport that best demonstrates how marketing programs help define an airport’s product or service and create a strategy for communicating the message that will produce growth.
Since its formation in 1990, the Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience Awards have recognized the quality of work, abundance of talent and creativity within the airport industry’s marketing, communications and customer experience fields.
