Recap: 2025 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum

We recently hosted the AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum from March 26–28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Thank you to our members, sponsors and partners for making this event successful! Day 1: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 AMAC members gathered at the forum’s host hotel for an energizing Capitol Hill prep session led by Nigel Stephens, Principal of Phoenix Strategies, alongside AMAC Government Affairs Chairs Farad Ali, Executive Chairman of Asociar, and Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Founder and CEO of … Read More

AMAC Kicks Off the 2025 Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum in Washington, DC to Advance Opportunities in Aviation

WASHINGTON, DC (March 26, 2025) — The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) alongside Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) is proud to host the 2025 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum, taking place March 24–26, 2025, at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center. This annual event brings together key aviation industry leaders, government officials, policymakers and business professionals for a powerful exchange of ideas, strategies and partnerships aimed at advancing opportunities for small businesses across the aviation sector. The … Read More

Coalition Seeks to Defend Lifeline for Transportation Businesses Owned by Women and People of Color

AMAC, as part of a coalition, moves to intervene in the Mid-America Milling Company v. the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) case to vigorously defend the constitutionality of the DBE program, ensuring its continued role in advancing economic opportunity and fairness in federally funded contracting. Press Release: https://democracyforward.org/updates/coalition-seeks-to-defend-lifeline-for-transportation-businesses-owned-by-women-and-people-of-color

Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Condemns Trump Administration Executive Orders Dismantling DEI Programs and Opposes Rollback of Equity Efforts

Washington, DC (January 22, 2025) — The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) strongly condemns the recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump: “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” and “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” These actions represent a significant step backward in the fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across federal agencies, contractors, and the private sector. These executive orders mandate the elimination of DEI programs, the closure of equity-focused offices, and the … Read More

2024 AMAC Board of Directors Appointments

WASHINGTON, DC (November 18, 2024) — The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is pleased to announce recent appointments to the 2024 AMAC Board of Directors. At-Large Directors Karen Ellis, Airport Assistant General Manager – Chief Customer Experience Officer, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Chair, AMAC Event Planning Committee Nikki T. Harland, Chief Operating Officer, Paradies Lagardère Justina Mann, President & Managing Principal, Blue Ink Group Chair, AMAC Chapters Development Committee Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Founder & CEO, Emerging Airport Ventures … Read More

AMAC Forward: Preparing for Incoming Administration Changes

The stakes are higher than ever before. AMAC’s existence is more critical as we relentlessly pursue our mission of advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. With the 2024 Presidential Election results, we anticipate the landscape of aviation and aerospace to continue to evolve, and we are more committed to ensuring that individuals and companies from diverse backgrounds have equal access to opportunities for advancement, growth, and success. As a … Read More

AMAC, ATL and MBDA Announce Historic Partnership to Support Minority Business Growth

ATLANTA, GA (November 2, 2024) — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is pleased to announce a landmark partnership between the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU was signed Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Georgia World Congress Center during the National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week. This partnership signifies a collaborative commitment to empower minority-owned businesses within the aviation industry and … Read More

AMAC Statement on the Mid-America Milling Company v. U.S. Department of Transportation Case

WASHINGTON, DC (October 18, 2024) – The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) issued the following statement on the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky’s issued opinion in the case filed against the U.S. Department of Transportation by Mid-America Milling Company, LLC and Bagshaw Trucking, Inc. “The Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued a narrow preliminary injunction suspending the use of race and gender in the case filed by Mid-America Milling Company, LLC, and … Read More

Recap: Inaugural She SOARS — Women in Aviation Summit

Thank you for participating in and supporting the inaugural She SOARS—Women in Aviation Summit. Nearly 50 speakers and over 300 attendees in the aviation industry, including mid- and upper-management professionals, HR leaders, airport governing authorities, government officials and industry association leaders, convened to focus on women’s multifaceted advantages in the workplace, career growth, professional development, and well-being of the mind and soul. You can access the event photos and program guide. The summit was a resounding success. It brought together … Read More

STATEMENT: Business & Civil Rights Leaders Applaud the Congressional Black Caucus’s Report on Corporate Accountability

WASHINGTON, DC (September 10, 2024) – Today, business and civil rights leaders are reacting to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) report on corporate accountability. A group of 18 business and civil rights leaders signed on to a statement applauding the CBC and the companies that participated in this first accountability assessment. These leaders called on companies to stand firm in their dedication to diverse and inclusive business practices because it creates value for the companies and ensures national competitiveness. You … Read More

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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.