Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Mark Zuckerberg- Facebook founder want to speak Chinese



Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wanted to speak Chinese. In addition to his normal studies, he decided to enlist the aid of a couple of employees who were native Chinese speakers. He sat with them daily and insisted that, while in his presence, they only speak in their native tongue. Like anyone trying to learn a language, Zuckerberg struggled. He implored them to speak simpler. Again they would speak, again Zuckerberg would struggle to understand and again he would ask them to simplify the message. This continued several times until he was finally able to gather a basic understanding of what they were trying to say. At that point, the speakers had whittled down the message to its most basic form. 



This story can be equated to the narrative of airports. Just as Zuckerberg insisted his programmers to speak more simply, maybe, so too, should the airport message be reduced to a very elementary yet powerful, “Airports are important.”



That is the theme that we have taken with the September2013 Anniversary Issue of Airport Revenue News. Though ARN shows its support of airports in each issue throughout the year, it’s the ARN September edition in which the focus from cover to cover is entirely on the causes, challenges and triumphs of our industry.



On Page 20, ARN asked several airport directors to put pen to paper (or in this case fingers to keyboard) and write about the industry. Thella Bowens of San Diego International (SAN) writes of her airport’s Green Build. It’s an example of how an airport developed and improved its offerings for a better traveler experience, but a key benefit for the community was the 7,000 jobs that were created over the life of the project. Joe Lopano of Tampa International (TPA) writes about his efforts to increase flights to and from TPA. Once again, the message he hammers home is, “Airport passenger numbers positively correlate to higher economic output, wages and incomes.” David Edwards of Greenville-Spartanburg International (GSP) gives a state-of-the-industry look from his seat as the current chairman of Airports Council International-North America. He writes that “airports need the flexibility to make business decisions that are in the best interest of their airport and community.”



Andrew Tellijohn writes about the development at Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) on Page 8. In this instance, it is the airport that is trying to keep pace with the growth of its city. As with any major development, the economic impact in its community and region certainly will be felt.



On Page 36, Tellijohn details how airports are working to overcome the various airline mergers that have occurred in recent years. Ricky Smith of Cleveland-Hopkins International (CLE) is one of several airports to discuss the topic.




Tellijohn also sits down with former ACI-NA President and CEO Gregory Principato. On Page 60, Principato reflects on his accomplishments during his tenure and the industry he leaves behind. We wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors.

On Page 44, Carol Ward reports on an airport’s role in its community. She focuses on initiatives such as how the airport reaches out to include the community on business opportunities, generates enthusiasm and interest in aviation through educational programs, and includes children with special needs on the experience of going through the airport. These are but a few things about which Ward writes.

Ward also speaks with Rosemarie Andolino of the Chicago Aviation Department, which is described on Page 14. Andolino comments on Chicago O’Hare International’s (ORD) modernization program, including the much-anticipated concessions request for proposals.



On Page 54, ARN Editorial Director Ramon Lo writes about the efforts of Palm Beach International (PBI) director of airports Bruce Pelly and the airport's new director of marketing Stephanie Richards to increase awareness of PBi and to attract new flights.

For those who do not know, ARN was launched in its current format, coincidentally, on September 11, 2001. It is somewhat surprising how our fortunes have closely paralleled that of the industry we serve since that fateful day.


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