AMAC Advocated for Federal Relief for Concessionaires

Our lobbying team worked tirelessly with Congress to include airports and concessions operators, particularly ACDBEs, on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding bills leading to two relief packages.

AMAC members testified before Congress on the importance of the DBE/ACDBE federal programs.

We teamed up with the DENCommerce Hub to advise AMAC members on how to apply for Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Main Street Lending programs. AMAC members received free advice and a team to conduct research to help maximize funding.

AMAC Launches the #SavetheTravelExperience Campaign

As the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the aviation industry, AMAC launched a grass-roots campaign to #savethetravelexperience. The mission was to develop a viral campaign designed to influence lawmakers working on COVID-19 relief packages to specifically include airport-related businesses in legislation.

AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum Returns

On September 11–12, 2019, the first AMAC Economic Opportunity and Policy Forum was held and welcomed aviation leaders, government officials and business representatives from across the aviation industry to Washington, DC to exchange ideas, share entrepreneurship best practices and seek innovation in airport diversity and inclusion.

AMAC PAC Is Founded

The AMAC Political Action Committee (AMAC PAC) works to further AMAC’s direct advocacy and educational initiatives on Capitol Hill by making monetary contributions to federal candidates and political action committees and caucuses who understand and support equity in airport contracting and employment. The AMAC PAC is non-partisan and provides our members with the means for concerted political action.

AMAC Publishes a White Paper on Airport Rental Car Supplier Diversity

The objective of the A Winning Approach: Recommendations to Realize Greater ACDBE and DBE Goods and Services Supplier Opportunities and Participation Within the Car Rental Industry white paper was to provide recommendations that enhance the participation of certified minority and women-owned firms as goods or services suppliers in the car rental companies’ airport concessions operations.

First AMAC Foundation Celebrating Women in Aviation Program Is Hosted in Denver, CO

On June 8, 2014, the first AMAC Foundation Celebrating Women in Aviation program was held in Denver, CO at the 30th AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference to foster, promote and applaud the success of women in aviation and aerospace-related businesses and career achievements.   Photo (Left to Right): Rhonda Arnold; Audrey Simmons; Rhonda Fields; and Amber Gooding.

First Official Golf Tournament Held

The first official golf tournament was held in 1998 at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, DC. This event now honors one of AMAC’s own tireless servants, Bill Walker. Mr. Walker’s affiliation with the AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference began in Los Angeles, CA in 1988 while he was Vice President at Pacific State Airlines. Walker began planning the golf tournament shortly after and continued to organize until illness prevented him from doing so.

AMAC Foundation Is Founded

In October 1997, the AMAC Board of Directors formally established the AMAC Foundation, formerly known as the Airport Minority Advisory Council Educational & Scholarship Program, Inc. (AMACESP).

1 2 3 4 5 11

Judges

Each Runway to Success Competition will feature a judging panel composed of industry executives and business owners with expertise across the airport, aviation and transportation sectors, including operations, procurement and supplier management.

The final pitch competition, held at the AMAC Airport Business Conference, will feature a VIP panel of leaders from the largest airport food and retail operators in North America who possess the authority to extend a business offer.

Suppliers

Supplier applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Suppliers of Goods and Services Positioned to Support Growth, Innovation or Customer Experience in the Aviation Industry

  • Suppliers Offering Strategic, Innovative or Scalable Solutions

  • Must Be Registered as a Legal Business Entity and in Good Standing

  • At Least 51% Minority- or Woman-Owned

  • Able to Clearly Articulate the Value of Their Product or Service in a Short Pitch Format

  • Must Be Available to Attend the Live Pitch Event

  • Must Not Currently Have or Be In the Process of Establishing an Agreement With Any Operators or Airport Concessionaires

HOSTS

AMAC is accepting applications from partners to host one of the eight (8) first-round Runway to Success Supplier Pitch Competitions.

Hosting a first-round competition is critical to the overall Runway to Success Supplier Competition. Each host site serves as a gateway for local and regional entrepreneurs, small businesses and ACDBEs to access AMAC’s national platform and connect to contracting and partnership opportunities.