BAA Cleveland has announced the appointment of Tina LaForte to vice president to oversee the transformation of concessions and the eventual opening of the new AIRMALL® at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE).
“Tina has extensive experience in all aspects of airport retail development, and she understands the value proposition that the AIRMALL® delivers to both concessionaires and passengers,” said Mark Knight, president of BAA Cleveland. “She is a highly valued member of the BAA team, and we can think of no better person to pilot our newest effort in Cleveland.”
“I am excited about this new challenge and pleased to be part of this important development for both the City of Cleveland and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport,” added Tina. “The new AIRMALL® at Hopkins will strategically combine branded local and national concepts to offer the highest-quality goods and services at ‘Regular Mall Prices…Guaranteed.’ It’s an award-winning formula that generates the highest per-passenger spend in the industry and promises to generate a host of new concessions jobs at Hopkins.”
In February, BAA signed a ten-year agreement with the City of Cleveland to develop and manage concessions at the airport. The city anticipates that the new AIRMALL® will double retail sales figures, over the term of the contract, double the number of concession jobs and double the current participation rate of local and minority-owned companies.
Tina LaForte has a decade of experience in a broad array of retail operations, including management, customer service, sales, merchandising and inventory.
Prior to her appointment at CLE, Tina was general manager of BAA Maryland, Inc, and as retail operations executive of BAA Pittsburgh. Tina and her husband live in Lakewood, OH.
