The 38th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference, which took place June 10–14, 2023, in San Antonio, TX, connected over 1,200 attendees who engaged in education, advocacy and networking opportunities that promote diversity and inclusion in the aviation and aerospace industries. AMAC thanks the conference host, the San Antonio International Airport, and the City of San Antonio for their generous support. We also extend special thanks to all the attendees, speakers and sponsors; without their support, the conference couldn’t have occurred.
If you attended, we request your feedback as we plan #AMAC2024 hosted by Nashville International Airport in Nashville, TN!
Photos
View all conference photos here.
Opening/Day 3 Recap
We kicked off #AMAC2023 with a warm welcome from San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, San Antonio Airport System Director of Airports Jesus Saenz and Chief Customer Experience Officer Karen Ellis, MSHRM, CCSM, CCCM, ACES, who greeted over 1200 attendees of the 38th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference!
AMAC President & CEO Eboni Wimbush underscored AMAC’s mission to promote diversity and inclusion in the aviation and aerospace industries. She also introduced an esteemed panel of airport directors from across the country who were featured speakers on the highly anticipated AMAC Airport Director’s 20/20 Vision Forum moderated by AMAC Board Chair and CEO of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Ricky Smith.
Attendees participated in workshops that explored the passenger journey by cultivating innovation to elevate the passenger experience and learned more about building a winning workforce. With a ribbon cutting, we launched the AMAC Gateway (Experience Hall), where participants interacted with various organizations that operate in the aviation space. One of the unique benefits of this conference is the opportunity for business matchmaking, as AMAC helps connect organizations with airport opportunities to allow them to develop and build relationships to help their businesses grow.
And even though it was a long, full day, there was still time for a bit more fun. Attendees put on their boots and bling for a barbecue bash hosted by San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to close out a wonderfully busy and insightful day.
Day 4 Recap
The AMAC Foundation hosts its highly anticipated Celebrating Women in Aviation Breakfast each year during the AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference. This year’s keynote speaker was Olga Custodio, USAFR LtCol (Ret) AA Captain (Ret), the First Latina U.S. Military Pilot and First American Airlines Latina Commercial Airline Pilot. She was joined by a panel of dynamic women who have also contributed significantly to the aviation industry as they all shared their personal and professional experiences.
That panel included Captain Amanda Bliley, T-6 Instructor Pilot for the U.S. Air Force (Active Duty – Columbus, MS AFB), Dawn Hunter, Chair of the AMAC Foundation Board of Directors and Vice President of Development for SSP America, Aurelina (Lina) Prado, Senior Manager of Supply Chain Execution for Boeing Global Services and Captain Darian Reeder, MQ-9 Aircraft Commander and Executive Officer for the U.S. Air Force (Active Duty – Canon, NM AFB). San Antonio International Airport (SAT)’s Public Relations Manager, Tonya M. Hope, moderated the discussion.
After breakfast, conference attendees gathered to listen to an esteemed panel discuss why diversity and inclusion are critical to public policy, the aviation economy, and the importance of political and business engagement.
After a busy morning, it was time for a celebratory lunch with the AMAC Catalyst Awards, honoring members who have gone beyond to further the council’s goals and missions. It was also a time to celebrate the next generation as the AMAC Foundation Scholarship Awards honored students’ academic achievements and highlighted their career aspirations as we look to the future of our industry.
Closing/Day 5 Recap
The last day of #AMAC2023 began with a Q&A session with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for airport personnel. Eight representatives from the agency were on hand to answer questions ranging from policy to protocols and everything in between.
Thank you John Benison, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Civil Rights for the FAA, Shaun Bouy, Regional Airport DBE/ACDBE Program Compliance Team Specialist—Western-Pacific Region for the FAA, Kirk B., Regional Airport DBE/ACDBE Program Compliance Team Specialist—Southwest Region for the FAA, Shannetta Griffin , P.E., Associate Administrator of Airports for the FAA, Alexander Horton, National Team Lead of DBE/ACDBE Program Compliance for the FAA, Jonathan Klein, National Team Lead of Airport Disability and Nondiscrimination Compliance Programs for the Office of Civil Rights for the FAA, Gene Roth, Director of National External Operations and Policy Programs for FAA and Laurence Wildgoose, Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs & Environment for the FAA.
There was also an AMAC ALC Fireside Chat. Karen Ellis, MSHRM, CCSM, CCCM, ACES, Chief Customer Experience Officer for the San Antonio International Airport (SAT), led a panel of esteemed female executives that included Saba Abashawl, Chief External Affairs Officer for Houston Airport System, Lise D’Andrea, President & CEO and Founder of CXE, Inc., Jeannie Killebrew, Northwest Regional Director for the AMAC Board of Directors and President of Killebrew | Killebrew, Inc., and Donata Russell Ross, President & CEO of Concessions International. This series, powered by the AMAC Airport Leadership Collective (ALC), continues to support women in navigating their careers and providing recommendations for elevating their careers to senior-level opportunities within the aviation industry.
And then, it was time for friends to say goodbye and close out another thoughtful, insightful and energizing AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference. Thank you to the beautiful city of San Antonio and San Antonio International Airport (SAT) for your warm hospitality, and we thank all the attendees who help make this year’s conference an incredible success. We’ll see you in Nashville next year!
Leave a Reply