Halifax's Staples Honored at Airport Marketing and Communications Conference

WASHINGTON, June 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Nominated and selected by his peers, Jerry Staples, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at the Halifax International Airport Authority, was named the 2010 winner of the Ted Bushelman Legacy Award for Creativity and Excellence during the Airports Council International-North America's (ACI-NA) Marketing and Communications Conference in San Diego.

The award, which is considered the airport industry's most prestigious honor awarded to a communications and marketing professional, recognizes exceptional values, accomplishments and creativity, and commitment to both the airport industry and their profession throughout an honoree's career.

In presenting the award, Luce Bureau, Aéroports de Montréal, said, "Jerry has brought commitment, talent and integrity to every initiative he has worked on, exhibiting strong personal values and professionalism in all areas of his career. He has left an unforgettable impact on the region's air industry, and the airport community has benefited greatly from his innovative leadership and unique approach to marketing and communications."

As vice president of marketing and business development for the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA), which operates Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Staples oversees all air passenger and cargo marketing and development, lease administration and market trend analysis for the airport. YHZ is Canada's 7th busiest airport and among the busiest and highly acclaimed air transportation hubs worldwide.

Staples joined the airport staff more than 22 years ago, moving into progressively more senior roles ever since. Using a creative and forward-thinking attitude, Jerry has successfully strengthened HIAA's marketing approach through a well positioned, well executed travel website and a dynamic social media strategy. In addition to bringing integration and innovation to HIAA's overall marketing and brand recognition, Jerry has also been responsible for fostering benefits for the region's air industry as a whole. He has served as a member of the ACI-NA Steering Group for the Marketing & Communications Committee and regularly attends Jumpstart, hosting the event in 1998.

Staples becomes only the third individual to receive the Ted Bushelman Legacy Award, which was first presented two years ago to the award's namesake, Bushelman, who served as Senior Director of Communications at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport for 40 years.

ACI-NA holds an annual Marketing and Communications Conference along with the JumpStart Air Service Development Program that attracts more than 350 airport professionals from the U.S. and Canada.

About ACI-NA

The mission of Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) is to advocate policies and provide services that strengthen the ability of air carrier airports to serve their passengers, customers and communities. ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Nearly 400 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.

For further information: Victoria Houghton, [email protected], [phone]