MIAMI, Nov. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miami International Airport was recognized with two awards for excellence in marketing, communications and customer service, as well as three honorable mentions, from Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) at its 2015 Marketing and Communications Conference in Nashville on November 10. MIA's winning submissions were chosen from more than 350 entries in 18 categories from airports throughout the U.S. and Canada, and were judged by a panel of marketing and communications professionals. Only Vancouver International Airport received more first place and honorable mention awards than MIA.
MIA won first place in the Newsletter category for its dynamic new digital magazine, MIA Connections, which is available online at www.MIAConnex.com and via the airport's wireless network. Launched in February, MIA Connections is a quarterly, flip-style, interactive magazine in English and Spanish that features informative, entertaining articles and stunning photography and graphics. The first of its kind for any U.S. airport, MIA Connections offers information on the best dining, shopping and entertainment options in the airport and throughout Greater Miami and the Beaches.
MIA also won first place in the Partnering with Carriers category for its first-ever Honor Flight, a multi-faceted campaign to honor war heroes organized in partnership with Eastern Airlines and the non-profit organization South Florida Honor Flight. On May 30, the three organizations coordinated a trip from MIA for 64 local World War II and Korean veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C. built in their honor. The veterans departed on flight number 1941, the first year of the war, and returned on flight 1945, the year the war ended. During the flight home, they were treated to "mail call," a military tradition where oversees soldiers receive letters from home. MIA spearheaded a letter-writing campaign among more than a dozen airport and community partners that generated more letters than South Florida Honor Flight had ever seen. At MIA, the vets received a rousing homecoming from more than 2,000 well-wishers – the kind most of them never saw as young soldiers. MIA also produced a video to commemorate the Honor Flight, available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6KTc-W2mnA.
MIA's three honorable mention awards were in the following categories: Customer Service Programs, for Miami Begins with Me, a series of training classes designed in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau to turn any airport employee into a brand ambassador for MIA and Miami; Customer Service Technology Innovation, for MIA Airport Official, the airport's mobile app available at the iPhone and Google Play app stores; and Video and Film Productions, for MIA's Honor Flight video.
"We are honored to be the recipient of these prestigious awards for our marketing and customer service efforts," said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González. "To be recognized among our peers from throughout the aviation industry makes this recognition truly special."
Airports Council International-North America (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. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports.
Miami International Airport offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, is America's second-busiest airport for international passengers, boasts a lineup of 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight. MIA, along with its general aviation airports, is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $33.7 billion annually and welcoming 70 percent of all international visitors to Florida. MIA's vision is to grow from a recognized hemispheric hub to a global airport of choice that offers customers a world-class experience and an expanded route network with direct passenger and cargo access to all world regions. MIA is committed to sustainable practices. Learn more at www.MIAefficiency.com. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, transportation and more, visit www.miami-airport.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photos accompanying this release are available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37614
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37615
