Name: 2027 AMAC Runway to Success: Your Guide to Hosting a Round 1 Competition
Start: 2026-11-04T08:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-11-04T09:30:00-05:00
Location: Online Event

What is it?

A multi-city tournament-style pitch competition offering suppliers an opportunity to expand their business into the airport food and retail industry.

How will it work?

There are three (3) rounds: Runway 16, Ready Takeoff 8 and Final Approach 4.

For each round, participants will present their products to a panel of judges, who may ask questions and offer advice. Judges will evaluate participants using the established scoring rubric while also considering each company’s specific standards and business needs. The highest-scoring participants from each group will advance.

The final round takes place at the AMAC Airport Business Conference before a panel of industry executives, giving finalists a chance to showcase their businesses, receive valuable feedback and explore potential commercial relationships and contracting opportunities.

Key Competition Timeline & Deadlines

Host Application Opens

October 22, 2026

Host Application Closes

November 19, 2026

Supplier Participant Application Opens

December 9, 2026

Supplier Participant Application Closes

January 13, 2027

Round 1—
Runway 16

February 25–March 25, 2027

Locations: To Be Announced

Round 2—
Take-Off 8

April 19–23, 2027

Location: Virtual

Round 3—
Final Approach 4

June 28 (Exhibit) & June 29 (Pitch), 2027

Location: 42nd Annual AMAC Airport Business Conference | Atlanta, GA

HOSTS

APPLY & LEARN MORE →

AMAC is accepting applications from AMAC members to host one of the first-round Runway to Success Supplier Pitch Competitions. A current AMAC membership is required to be a host.

APPLY

SUPPLIERS

APPLY & LEARN MORE →

Supplier applicants must meet specific criteria.

APPLY

JUDGES

LEARN MORE →

Each Runway to Success Competition will feature a judging panel composed of industry executives and business owners.

LEARN MORE

Congratulations to the 2026 Finalists
(Round 3 — Final Approach 4)

Watch the 2026 Competitions (Round 1 — Runway 16)

Chicago | April 16, 2026

St. Louis | April 17, 2026

Atlanta | April 24, 2026

2026 HOST CITIES

Sponsorships

AMAC offers a range of creative sponsorship opportunities that provide your business with exposure to an influential audience while supporting a critically important initiative. Purchase a sponsorship online or email spoonsorships@amac-org.com to secure a sponsorship.