ACI-NA - Airports Council International – North America

10/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 13:49

ACI-NA Awards Justin Meyer the 2024 Ted Bushelman Legacy Award for Creativity and Excellence

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) today announced Justin Meyer, Deputy Director of Aviation - Marketing and Air Service Development at Kansas City Aviation Department, as the 2024 recipient of the Ted Bushelman Legacy Award for Creativity and Excellence. The Bushelman Award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of airport marketing, communications, and customer experience professionals. The award was presented to Meyer during the 2024 ACI-NA Marketing and Communications Conference in San Francisco, CA.

"Justin Meyer's continuous commitment to advancing airport marketing, communications, and customer experience has significantly raised the bar and set a new standard for our industry," said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. "From successfully leading the launch of a new terminal to sharing his counsel and expertise with countless peers, Justin embraces each opportunity with integrity, energy, confidence, reliability, and a collaborative spirit. We are honored to recognize his achievements and look forward to witnessing his impact for years to come."

As Deputy Director of Aviation - Marketing and Air Service Development, Meyer leads the marketing, communications, and customer service efforts for Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC). Meyer directs and oversees the management of all marketing, communication, advertising, and promotional efforts, including taking the lead on brand positioning, events, collateral design, and promotional writing. Additionally, he leads an advanced team of aviation professionals that works to increase flights and add new routes to MCI, continuously develop the airport's air cargo business, and maximize the airport's economic impact on the Kansas City community.

Meyer has many career successes, including spearheading the development and implementation of public and media relations campaigns for the eventual launch of Build KCI, the $1.5 billion single terminal at MCI that opened in 2023. Using a fact-based communications strategy, Meyer was a driving force behind the project, advocating for an accessible and inclusive customer experience for all passengers. Meyer played an active role in the design and messaging for MCI's amenities at the new terminal, such as a sensory room, a quiet room, multiple customer service desks, and the largest multi-user gender-inclusive restroom facility in any North American airport.

Throughout his career, Meyer has been heavily involved in ACI-NA groups and committees, including serving two terms as the first-ever ACI-NA Air Service Committee Chair, where he worked to foster strong relationships between airport members and air carrier representatives. He has actively participated in multiple ACI-NA working groups, including those related to the World Cup, Accessibility, Education, and MarCom, where he progressed to Chair of the Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience Committee in 2016. As a frequent speaker at ACI-NA events and mentor to many newcomers, Meyer has consistently contributed to ACI-NA's success.

The Ted Bushelman Legacy Award for Creativity and Excellence is named for its first recipient, Ted Bushelman, who served as Senior Director of Communications at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport for 40 years.

The award is presented each year to an individual nominated and selected by their peers in the airport industry. This special award recognizes the values, accomplishments, and creativity of airport marketing, communications, and customer experience professionals who also share those talents and contribute to the legacy of professionalism experienced throughout our meetings and programs.

In addition, the individual who is selected must have a record of demonstrating their skills, expertise, and professionalism in some or all of the following areas:

  • Promotes the professionalism of the marketing, communications, and customer experience disciplines within the airport industry;
  • Has a history of generating and embracing new ideas to promote and support their airport's programs and services;
  • Actively share their knowledge and experience with other marketing, communications, and customer experience professionals within the airport industry;
  • Participates in the ACI-NA Marketing, Communications, and Customer Experience Committee and attends its programs; and
  • Promotes the importance and advances the understanding of airports and aviation within the broader community.

Past Bushelman Award Winners

2008 - Ted Bushelman, Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport
2009 - Michael Conway, Detroit Metropolitan Airport
2010 - Jerry Staples, Halifax International Airport
2011 - Tara Hamilton, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
2012 - Patricia Rowe, Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport
2013 - Not awarded
2014 - Lucinda Harshman, Pittsburgh International Airport
2015 - Carolyn Fennell, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
2016 - Dickie Davis, Miami International Airport
2017 - Not awarded
2018 - Not awarded
2019 - Brad Martin, Boston Logan International Airport
2020 - Karen Ellis, San Antonio Airport System
2021 - Myrna White, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2022 - John Albrecht, Oakland International Airport
2023 - Krista Kealey, Ottawa International Airport
2024 - Justin Meyer, Kansas City International Airport

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