Las Vegas, 2016-Dec-07 — /Travel PR News/ — Leading travel retailer Hudson Group CEO Joe DiDomizio and American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) President and CEO Todd Hauptli today announced the creation of the Mario DiDomizio Excellence in Education Scholarship, to be awarded annually to deserving sons and daughters of Hudson Group employees who are working at one of the more than 950 stores in airports and transportation terminals across the United States. The announcement was made at Hudson Group’s annual Management Seminar & Vendor Show at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.
In making the announcement, Hudson Group CEO Joe DiDomizio remarked: “My wife and I have four children, and one of our key objectives in life is to make sure that each one stays in school and gets the opportunity to rise to the very top of their potential. I think that all parents share this ambition for their children. Indeed, paying for college is one of the biggest challenges and responsibilities of a parent and we are honored to partner with AAAE to help our team members in some small way. I also would like to thank the leaders of AAAE for honoring my father with the creation of this program.”
AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli added: “The Hudson Group is a great partner in the airport community and their commitment to improving educational opportunities in the communities they serve is inspirational. We are very excited to have the opportunity to help provide a pathway to higher education for the offspring of Hudson team members who are working at airports across the country.”
The Mario DiDomizio Excellence in Education Scholarship will be administered by the AAAE Foundation, which has awarded $4.25 million in scholarships to over 2,700 students since 1989, making it one of the largest supporters of higher education assistance in the aviation industry. The initial class of five DiDomizio scholars will receive up to $5,000 each – $2,500 in 2017 and $2,500 in 2018.
Applicants must submit an application which addresses their academic records, financial need, participation in school and community activities, work experience and a personal statement.
For further information on the Mario DiDomizio Excellence in Education Scholarship or the AAAE Foundation, please contact Cindy Gunderson, AAAE Staff Vice President of Membership/Accreditation and Certification Programs at (703) 575-2479.
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ABOUT HUDSON GROUP: Hudson Group, the largest travel retailer in North America, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of international travel retailer Dufry AG (DUFN) of Basel, Switzerland. Hudson Group operates over 950 Hudson, Hudson News, Hudson Booksellers, cafes, specialty retail and duty free shops in 83 airports and transportation terminals in the United States and Canada, and operates in 24 of the top 25 airports nationally. Dufry operates over 2,200 stores in more than 60 countries and 370 locations, including airports and transportation terminals around the world.
ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world’s largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE’s 5,500-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.
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