Demand for specialist airport commercial training is on the rise as airports seek to fill post-covid vacancies, says Australia based specialist airport commercial planning consultancy CPI.

Its latest Airport Commercial Development and Management Course is ‘filling up fast’, with ‘significant interest’ from Australian and New Zealand airports.

“As airports are recruiting to fill post-covid vacancies and resourcing up for the future, since the second half of last year we’ve been seeing a big increased demand for our specialist airport commercial courses,” said CPI’s Managing Director Susan Gray.

“We’re happy to report that we have again secured the recently refurbished HC Coombs Centre, located on Sydney Harbour, for the next course, which we expect to be fully subscribed.”

CPI’s professional development course is designed to equip delegates with strategic and tactical insights and tools to optimise airport commercial revenues and deliver a first-class customer experience.

As well as presentations from course organisers, leading global commercial planning consultants Susan Gray and Jeremy Corfield, there is a compelling line-up of guest speakers for the upcoming training course in March.

Speakers include Mark Zaouk, Executive GM Commercial of Sydney Airport, who will present a case study of Sydney Airport’s current and future commercial development strategy.

Attendees will also hear form Mark Wolfe, Aviation Lead and Principal at Hassell, who will provide an architect’s perspective of the role of commercial.

In addition, Craig Pring, an experienced industry executive most recently of Lagardère AWPL and previously WHSmith, will discuss the role of speciality retail as the industry moves forward.

CPI’s overriding approach is to share insights and the methodology around how to identify, develop and deliver an optimal commercial programme, and its courses can be tailored to suit each airport.

The company drills down on specific areas, including how to identify the right amount of commercial space, plan the space, determine the right mix, and how to extract the most value from it.

‘’We always focus on driving revenue, but always from a customer-centric point of view and in the context of current and future on and off-airport trends and their potential impact on our industry,’’ said Gray.

Those who are new to the airports sector, or new to the airport commercial business, find the course particularly useful, says CPI, although it offers valuable insights for a range of professionals, such as those involved in procurement, design and development, finance and more.

‘’This course is about knowledge transfer. It’s a unique opportunity to spend four intensive days with industry experts and peers,” said Gray.

“Delegates will leave armed with greater confidence and ability to demonstrate not just the ‘how’ but also the ‘why’ of the airport non-aeronautical business and the important role it plays both from a revenue and customer experience perspective.

“We are very pragmatic and honest, delivering real insights gained through experience. And we absolutely love what we do.”

Registrations for the course, which will run from 27-30 March in Sydney, Australia, are open until 15 February.

The course is fully residential, costing US$3,370 (AUD$4,995) plus GST, and US$3,036 (AUD$4,500) plus GST for each delegate thereafter from the same organisation. (Discounts apply for non-residential delegates).