As Chair of Explore Western Mass and President and CEO of Eastern States Exposition (ESE), Gene Cassidy had the honor of presenting Bradley International Airport with the Spotlight Award at the Howdy Gala on Monday, April 28.
“This is tremendously well deserved and overdue,” said Cassidy. “I am old enough to remember when this facility was simply known as Bradley Field but is has grown into so much more. As an international airport, Bradley has opened, not only the country, but the world for travelers heading out from Western Massachusetts as well as into it.”
He continued, “Bradley brings countless visitors from across the globe to the doorstep of Western Massachusetts—they lay out the welcome mat, and they are the first impression of America for so many people. I am a frequent flyer at our airport, and dozens of others throughout the world. I can attest to the ease of use of Bradley, and the terrific greeting that travelers receive there.”
Cassidy noted the significant investments by the Connecticut Airport Authority that have helped Bradley International Airport grow in scope; they have added airline partners, expanded nonstop routes, made capital improvements and otherwise elevated customer experience.
A video featuring Congressman Richard E. Neal and Explore Western Mass President Mary Kay Wydra highlighted more outstanding features of the airport. This includes the Aer Lingus partnership that has connected countless Irish diaspora in our region with their ancestral home in Ireland’s County Kerry, especially offering convenient travel for the many vendors that travel from the Dingle Peninsula to have a presence in the Young Building at The Big E in West Springfield, Mass., each fall.
Cassidy concluded, “Bradley International is not just an airport; it is our front door, our connector, our friend and a powerful partner in growing tourism throughout Western Massachusetts and beyond our regional borders.”
Standing in for the Connecticut Airport Authority’s Executive Director, Mike Shea, was Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Administration and Springfield native, Sharon Traficante.
Eastern States Exposition was also represented by Anne-Alise Pietruska, Director of Marketing. She announced the recipient of the Transportation category, Ray Malmborg, a bus driver with Lower Pioneer Valley Education that was nominated by the students he transports in East Longmeadow.
Additionally, ESE had two of its own finalists: Marvin Howard, a longtime volunteer with Storrowton Village Museum, and Kim Wolfe, the organization’s Agriculture, Retail and Events Assistant. ESE is proud to have such outstanding individuals in public-facing roles and extends deep appreciation to both finalists for their many years of devotion.