Hudson, part of Avolta, earned top honors in locally inspired travel retail at the Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards hosted last evening by Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) during its 2024 Business of Airports Conference in Miami, Florida. Hudson received the award for Best New Local Concept for its outpost of the iconic, award-winning Parnassus Books at Nashville International Airport^® (BNA^®).

ACI-NA, the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, recognized Hudson for its close collaboration with BNA^® to enhance the passenger experience for millions of travelers through exceptional travel retail that highlights local culture, aids in giving a sense of place, and promotes local economic growth.

Beloved by locals and tourists alike, Parnassus Books is an independent bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee, owned by bestselling author Ann Patchett and voted Nashville’s Best Bookstore numerous times by Nashville Scene. Parnassus Books at BNA^®, located in the airport’s Central Marketplace, aims to capture, complement, and enrich Nashville’s vibrant cultural landscape, offering travelers an “Only in Nashville” experience. It aims to provide a literary sanctuary for travelers of all ages, serving as a space where writers can connect with readers and readers can discover new books.

“There is unlimited opportunity in travel retail to engage and excite passengers in ways that make their journey more entertaining and enriching. We continuously strive for excellence in every aspect of our business and put the traveler at the center of everything we do, so we are honored to receive this noteworthy award from ACI-NA,” said Steve Johnson, President and CEO, North America, Avolta. “Hudson is proud of the partnership we have with Nashville International Airport^® and that they share our vision to offer travelers an elevated experience.” 

Additionally, ACI-NA recognized the culture of appreciation, caring, and inclusion at Hudson and HMSHost among its more than 30,000 team members across North America by bestowing the company with the award for Best Employee Recognition Program.