PHX Perspective

Airport Shops Participate in Global Learning Program

Thunderbird School of Global Management often partners with Phoenix-area organizations so that students may see real world examples of entrepreneurial and global leadership projects. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, several shops at Phoenix Sky Harbor, managed by Delstar Companies, showed off their creative and entrepreneurial sides as part of a tour for the Jordanian Women Entrepreneur visit.

The Jordanian Women Entrepreneur Program is part of a greater exchange program at Thunderbird where students from Jordan learn about entrepreneurial and business methods in order to focus on fostering human resources development in their home country.

The women first met with Delstar leaders where they discussed Delstar’s business model. Pam DelDuca, Founder, President and CEO of Delstar Companies, also spoke about her experiences with entrepreneurship including the various stages, highs and lows and the lessons learned. DelDuca is no stranger to entrepreneurship. In fact, she operates specialty stores not only in airports, but at shopping centers and hotel resorts. She partners with three local community groups to train and employ minority and disadvantaged people in the Valley of the Sun and has received numerous awards for her commitment to the community.

Following DelDuca’s presentation, a guest vendor spoke to the aspiring entrepreneurs and gave them an inside glimpse into vendor and buyer interaction and what goes into buying decisions. Each woman was given a Native American necklace. Participants then headed to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport’s Terminal 4 where they were presented with beverages and cookie bags from Paradise Bakery before touring the Pueblo Spirit and Arizona Highways stores. During this time, they met with store managers who discussed merchandising and display and retail trends, a true inside look at what it’s like to run a successful business at one of the ten busiest airports in the United States.