By Elizabeth Rodriguez Diaz
Welcome Center Manager
Areas’ Central East Region has had a productive past couple of months with plenty of good news to report. Here’s an update:
At the Maryland Turnpike (MDTP) a new Director of Operations has been appointed. You’ve met him, you know him, he’s Gene Judge! He is joining our team with 30+ years of experience in the industry. He enjoys long walks from one end of the building to the other and back again, fixing kiosks, and taking his family and corgi on picnics.
In the two-and-a-half months he’s been with the team he has reminded us that when the going gets tough, as it’s been in Maryland for a very long time, you roll up your sleeves, inspire your teammates, and move forward together.
At the Maryland House Areas and the Arc, a longtime partner, continue to build a stronger relationship. Recently Areas sponsored an event to raise money in support of mental health and to provide career opportunities that are open to all Arc members.
Next month the America’s 911 Ride, a group of bikers who travel from the Pentagon to the Memorial in New York City, will make their annual stop at the Maryland House. Every year the group travels that distance on their bikes to commemorate the day and we always provided them with free coffee, donuts, and water. We are also grateful to our vendors who donate product such as trail mix, microfiber cloths, and other tchotchkes from local businesses who wanted to say thank you. This year they are stopping by August 20.
At the Maryland Chesapeake House Areas is strengthening our partnership with Bayside Community, a local organization that focuses on assisting the disabled community. We continue to encourage more of their members to come and work at Areas.
Also, at the Chesapeake House the annual Memorial Day commemoration took place once again. Hosted by the Women Veteran’s United Committee, Inc. and led by Dr. Joanne Fisher, its President and Founder, the names of known women who have fallen in service to their country over the last two centuries were read aloud. It was a lovely service catered by Phillips Seafood.
Other great news in our region: over the last couple of months, we have celebrated and rewarded 70+ associates for excellent Guest Service. These associates impressed our guests enough that they in turn wrote Areas to ensure that the employee was celebrated. We always reward our associates with a cash prize, and a certificate of excellence. We make a big deal out of it and publicly announce it.
At Newark Liberty Airport anniversary celebrations are coming back! Everyone likes to recognize a milestone but these days only so many Areas employees can say they’ve been with the company for 10+ years. At EWR we boast over 15 associates with that distinction.
Also, at EWR, the organization is going back to its roots. What better way to build morale than to have all the managers share a meal together, unwind, and NOT talk about work—once a month. It is a time when the “family” comes together and simply relaxes.
At Chicago O’Hare International Areas is partnering with local Black brewers in the city and will feature their beer in our stores. Areas not only offers a local brew and variety to our guests, but we also offer an opportunity for a minority business to become a permanent installment in our location.
For those who have a green thumb, or those who enjoy nature, the airport is creating a garden on property for concessionaires to maintain. What better way to bring everyone together than with a beautification project? Stay tuned for updates on the Areas “family tree.”
At Minneapolis-St. Paul International the openings of Leann Chin and Wendy’s in Terminal F is putting MSP back on its way to being the behemoth location it was always meant to be. The Cook & the Ox is next.
At Detroit International the birth of Diet Coke is being celebrated this month. The company has launched a promotion for travelers encouraging them to buy more from their concessionaires. The best part? There is no investment on our end. Happy Birthday Diet Coke.
At Hartsfield-Jackson International Matthew Cunningham was recently promoted from Concourse Manager to Assistant General Manager. He has been with Areas since 2009 and is a huge sneaker head; Areas is his first love, sneakers his second.