Will address the persistent revenue gap facing airports and highlight new strategies for meaningful, long-term growth
NASHVILLE, TN, April 7, 2026 – Enliven, the nation’s leading consultancy for commercial beverage program strategies, partnerships, and vendor negotiations, is pleased to share that Heather Neisen, Chief Customer Officer will be presenting at the upcoming SCC-AAAE Annual Conference. The conference will be held in El Paso, Texas April 12-15, 2026.
Neisen will discuss the financial headwinds many airports are facing today. According to Airports Council International, non-aeronautical revenues remain roughly 9% below pre-pandemic levels. Even as passenger volume has rebounded, traveler behavior has shifted. Business travel remains inconsistent, dwell times are less predictable, and inflation continues to put pressure on concessionaires. The result is a growing disconnect between throughput and revenue per passenger.
Neisen will share insights on how airports can create new streams of non-aeronautical revenue through strategic commercial partnerships and leverage data-driven vendor negotiations to enhance both financial performance and passenger experience. Her session will provide attendees with actionable insights into structuring and negotiating high-value partnerships, identifying untapped revenue opportunities, and aligning stakeholders to maximize both commercial success and guest satisfaction.
With extensive experience, Heather is a recognized expert in the aviation industry helping clients develop and manage world class programs at airports around the country.
About AAAE
The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) is the largest professional organization for airport leaders and executives in the United States, representing thousands of airport professionals across commercial service, general aviation, and military airports. The organization provides industry-leading training, certification, and networking opportunities, while also serving as a key advocate for airports on policy, regulatory, and operational issues. Through its conferences, events, and thought leadership, AAAE plays a central role in advancing innovation and best practices across the aviation industry.
About SCCAAAE
As part of AAAE’s network of more than 5,500 airport professionals representing approximately 850 airports, the South Central Chapter (SCC) of AAAE brings together a community of aviation leaders across the south central U.S. and beyond.
For more information about the SCC-AAAE Annual Conference, please visit https://sccaaae.org/2026_Annual_Conference.
About Enliven
Enliven is a strategic advisory firm specializing in beverage partnerships, sourcing strategy, and operational optimization for complex multi-site organizations including airports, healthcare systems, restaurants, convenience retail, and entertainment venues. The company provides mission-critical business intelligence to financial and supply chain executives and has delivered more than one billion dollars in savings to its clients through its negotiated programs. Enliven’s dedicated team of industry experts takes a hands-on approach to extracting long-term value and winning results for its clients. For more information, visit www.EnlivenLLC.com.
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The Ultimate Guide to a Beverage Deal
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Airport World Feature: Boosting Beverage Revenues
