We recently hosted the 2026 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum from March 18–20, 2026, in Washington, DC. Thank you to our members, sponsors and partners for making this year’s forum a powerful and impactful convening for aviation industry leaders, policymakers and small businesses committed to advancing opportunity and access. You can view the event photos here.
Day 1: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The forum began with AMAC’s Capitol Hill Day, bringing members together at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center for a full day of advocacy and engagement. The morning started with the U.S. Capitol Meet Up and AMAC Members Capitol Hill Group Photo, followed by breakfast and Opening Remarks from AMAC leadership, setting the tone for the day’s efforts.
Attendees received critical insights from Cate Benedetti, Professional Staff Member from the House Committee on Small Business’s Democratic Staff and Lauren Dudley, Democratic Staff Director for the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, during the U.S. House of Representatives Committee Updates and Advocacy Prep Briefing, equipping members with the latest policy developments and messaging strategies ahead of their meetings. Throughout the afternoon, members fanned out across Capitol Hill, participating in over 60 scheduled meetings with Congressional offices and staff to advocate for policies that support DBE/ACDBE programs and expand fair access to airport contracting and employment opportunities.
The day concluded at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center with the AMAC PAC Reception — The Work Continues, where members and attendees gathered to reinforce shared priorities, support AMAC’s advocacy efforts and carry momentum into the forum.
Day 2: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Day two opened with Opening Remarks from AMAC leadership, Ricky Smith, Chair of the AMAC Board of Directors, and General Manager of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Eboni Wimbush, President & CEO of AMAC, Farad Ali, Chair of the AMAC Government Affairs Committee; Executive Chairman, Asociar and Nicholas Crews, Chair of the AMAC PAC Board of Directors, and Managing Partner of Crews Hospitality. Next, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) provided a keynote address that underscored the importance of access, opportunity and sustained investment in small businesses within the aviation industry.
“Airport concessions, construction contracts, logistics, technology, food services and beyond the businesses represented here should not be reduced to being called diverse suppliers; you all are essential drivers of American growth and opportunity.”
“DBE/ACDBE are not about preference; they are about fair participation in an economy that was never neutral to begin with, as we know our history. They recognize something really simple: if opportunity has been uneven, then access must be intentional, and when it is, everyone benefits—the whole economy thrives, with more competition, better prices, stronger supply chains and more resilient infrastructure. This should be our goal, this isn’t charity—it is smart economics for everyone.”
— Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)
The morning continued with From City Hall to the Runway, where Mayor Van Johnson (Savannah, GA) and Mayor Steven Reed (Montgomery, AL) shared how airport development projects are being leveraged to drive local economic impact, expand small business participation and align with broader community priorities such as workforce development and neighborhood revitalization.
In From IFR to Implementation, moderator Irene Marion, President of IBM Consulting and panelists, Subash Iyer, Partner of Kaplan Kirsch, and Sara von der Lippe, Pro-bono Chief Legal Counsel for the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., provided a timely and practical discussion on the evolving DBE landscape, addressing current legal frameworks, compliance considerations and strategies for navigating uncertainty while preserving opportunity.
Following the Networking Lunch, attendees explored Pathways to Participation: How Airports Are Transforming Business Engagement, highlighting how airports and primes are improving outreach, transparency and access to procurement opportunities while creating clearer pathways for small business participation.
The conversation continued with Federal Access in Action: A Conversation with USDOT OSDBU Director Allen Gutierrez, offering insights into federal resources, technical assistance and strategies to strengthen small business competitiveness in aviation contracting. Additionally, the discussion addressed OSDBU’s partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its role in enhancing access and engagement for firms participating in aviation-related projects and contracts. We also learned that the FAA Office of Civil Rights is now detailed under the USDOT OSDBU.
In the afternoon, Competing Smarter, Not Harder, in Uncertain Times provided practical strategies for navigating rising costs, tariffs and shifting procurement requirements, helping businesses remain competitive while building sustainable partnerships.
The day concluded with Capital to Compete, where financial leaders discussed access to capital, lending considerations and how firms can position themselves to secure funding and scale effectively in the aviation industry.
Attendees closed out the day at the Circle of Influence Networking Reception, strengthening relationships and fostering new connections across the industry.
Day 3: Friday, March 20, 2026
The final day began with the Rise n’ Shine Breakfast sponsored by Ken Weeden & Associates and WHSmith North America, followed by the highly anticipated Airport Opportunities Procurement Forecast, where airport representatives from CDA, LAWA, MAA, ONT, PHL and WCAA shared 12–18 month outlooks for architecture, engineering, construction and concession opportunities. This session provided attendees with valuable, forward-looking insights to help position their businesses for upcoming work.
The forum concluded with Business Matchmaking, an appointment-only session connecting airports and prime contractors directly with suppliers for targeted, high-impact conversations designed to spark partnerships and drive business growth. Concurrently, AMAC leadership convened for the AMAC Trade Board Meeting to continue advancing the organization’s strategic priorities.
As the forum came to a close, participants departed with strengthened connections, actionable insights and a renewed commitment to advancing economic opportunity across the aviation industry.
The 2026 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum once again demonstrated the power of advocacy, collaboration and connection in driving meaningful change across the aviation industry.
