HMSHost the big winner in Amsterdam Schiphol’s annual Business Awards

THE NETHERLANDS. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has recognised its most innovative partners in the annual Schiphol Business Awards, with HMSHost International receiving two honours.

The global restaurateur won both the Innovation Award and the Team Spirit Award, with the airport’s parking and hospitality partners taking the other awards. All categories also take into account hospitality and personal service.

HMSHost International won the Innovation Award for its Soup & Bakery by De Verspillingsfabriek concept (pictured above). The sustainable food concession tackles food waste and ensures ‘lost’ vegetables – those considered to be too small, the wrong shape or wrongly coloured – are given a new lease of life by being used to cook a variety of soups. The soups are made by people with a disadvantage on the labour market, ensuring that human talent is not wasted either.

The Team Spirit Award went to HMSHost International’s Food Professionals Team, for the way it prepares new recruits for professional practice.

SSP Nederland (airside) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (landside) won the Growth Award, which was created to recognise and celebrate businesses with the largest financial growth.

Throughout the year, mystery visits are conducted at Schiphol, with the total experience being scored on customer service and service-mindedness. Avis Budget Autoverhuur gained the most points in 2019, meaning the company won the Hospitality & Service Award.

The Connection Award for the most hospitable and welcoming employee at Schiphol went to Dalibor Stanic, an employee at car rental firm Sixt.

“As an airport, we are constantly evolving. We are constantly looking for ways to optimise our retail and food & beverage offer, mobility facilities and services – all the while keeping in mind the needs of our passengers,” said Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Director of Consumer Products & Services Tanja Dik.

“This takes places in close collaboration with our business partners, who are crucial to Schiphol. Together, we offer our passengers a shopping and travel experience on their way to their next destination that is characterised by quality, inspiration, hospitality and excellent service.

“Each year, we present the awards to teams and employees who have performed exceptionally well in the field of innovation, team spirit, turnover, hospitality & services and connection.”