Eric Pateman | Chief Experience Officer (CXO)
Vancouver Airport Authority

Eric Pateman is the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) at YVR Airport in Vancouver, Canada. With a vision to redefine hospitality in the airport environment, Eric oversees all aspects of the guest experience at YVR. This includes managing the airport’s commercial portfolio (F&B, retail, duty-free, parking, etc.), marketing and brand experiences (such as research, signage, wayfinding, and the art program), and leading the 600-person Guest Experience team, the largest of its kind in the world. Eric is also responsible for ensuring accessibility, including the creation of what will be the world’s first dedicated living lab for accessibility in aviation at the airport.    In addition to his role at YVR, Eric is recognized as one of the world’s foremost culinary brand and marketing strategists. He has developed culinary tourism and brand strategies for countries like Canada and New Zealand, as well as specific regions such as Auckland, British Columbia, and the Yukon. His consultancy work has taken him to the farthest corners of the globe, from advising an expedition company in Antarctica to crafting a territorial food strategy for the Yukon in Canada’s far north. His client base includes both public and private sector entities.    Eric is particularly passionate about indigenous cuisines and their influence on modern culinary trends. He has served as a judge for Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants and EnRoute’s Top 10 New Restaurants in Canada.  Previously, Eric owned and operated the successful Edible Canada brand, which included a restaurant, seven retail stores, and an award-winning culinary travel division, which he sold in January 2021. He also recently sold his highly successful salt company, Amola, which he owned and operated for 13 years.    Eric is the co-author and contributor to three books. He has received numerous accolades, including the Mayor of Vancouver’s Art Award for Culinary Arts, recognition as one of Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40 Business People, and inclusion in Western Living Magazine’s list of the Top 40 Foodies Under 40.    Over the course of his 25-year career, Eric has worked in over 80 countries, gaining a deep understanding of global culinary cultures and tourism. With his passion for food, travel, and cultural engagement, Eric continues to inspire the future of culinary tourism while enhancing the passenger experience at one of North America’s most award-winning airports.