November 2026 ACT Update

Through collaboration and a dynamic network of airport and industry partners, ACT turns shared challenges and emerging opportunities into action—bringing members together to develop practical resources, pilot new ideas, and advance innovation across the airport industry.

ACT CEO Steering Group to Welcome Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl

Airport CEOs and Directors participating in the ACT program will convene virtually on Friday, December 4, from 2–3 pm ET for the ACT CEO Steering Group’s year-end meeting. Convening twice annually, the Steering Group provides a forum for airport executives to discuss emerging technologies, exchange perspectives on evolving industry challenges and opportunities, and help guide ACT’s strategic priorities. The upcoming meeting will feature Adam Stahl, Acting Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as a special guest speaker, who will share insights into TSA’s Horizon 25 initiative, emerging technologies, and the evolving aviation security landscape shaping the future of airports.

ACT Releases New Airport Workforce Development Guidebook

ACT has released a new Workforce Development Guidebook, developed in collaboration with Mead & Hunt and 15 participating airports. The resource provides practical guidance, assessment tools, and real-world airport case studies to help airports evaluate and strengthen their workforce development programs. With an initial focus on small, non-hub, and general aviation airports, the guidebook offers actionable strategies to address workforce challenges, identify opportunities for improvement, and support long-term workforce planning.

Read the full announcement and explore the Workforce Development Guidebook.

ACT Insights Forms Airport Advisory Leadership Team to Guide Platform Development

ACT recently established an 11-airport Advisory Leadership Team to help guide the continued development of ACT Insights, AAAE’s AI-enabled airport research platform currently being piloted by 22 airports. The group will meet regularly to provide direct feedback, identify opportunities for improvement, and help ensure the platform evolves to meet the needs of the airport community.

Representatives from 12 airports participated in the ACT Insights User Forum, both in person and virtually, during AAAE’s National Airports Conference in New Orleans. The session brought airport participants together to share feedback, discuss the pilot experience, and help shape the next phase of ACT Insights—an AI-enabled research platform designed to help airports learn from thousands of public procurement documents and more efficiently develop scopes of work.

ACT Hosts Second All-Members Call, Highlights Progress Across Key Initiatives

ACT's second All-Members Call brought together airport members and industry partners to highlight recent program milestones and share updates on ongoing initiatives. Members received updates on the recently published Advanced Air Mobility and Workforce Development guidebooks, an upcoming Airside Training report, and ACT Insights, AAAE's AI-enabled research platform. The discussion also highlighted opportunities for members to provide feedback on emerging initiatives and participate in collaborative efforts helping shape the future of airport innovation.

Please RSVP in advance for our upcoming 2027 Q1 webinar, tentatively scheduled for January 27, 1-2 pm ET.

ACT to Host Second Q4 All-Members Call, Highlighting Additional Engagement Opportunities

ACT will host its second All-Members Call of Q4 on Monday, November 16, 4-5 pm ET, providing airport members and industry partners with an inside look at emerging initiatives and new opportunities to get involved in the program. The session will highlight projects currently in development and identify opportunities for airport participation and collaboration. This discussion is part of ACT’s ongoing commitment to transparency and ensuring its initiatives reflect the evolving priorities and needs of the airport community.

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance. Once you respond, we'll send you a Microsoft Teams invitation with the meeting details.

ACT Insights: An In-Depth Look at AAAE’s AI-Enabled Research Platform

Building on discussions during our recent ACT All-Members call, we invite you to join us on Monday, November 23, from 3–4 pm ET for a dedicated webinar exploring ACT Insights. This session will provide a closer look at the platform’s capabilities, including a live demonstration of how airports can leverage procurement documentation, research industry topics, and generate actionable insights. We’ll also share updates on the ongoing pilot program and next steps for development.

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance. Once you respond, we'll send you a Microsoft Teams invitation with the meeting details.

Thank You to Our Members!

Our members are the driving force behind every advancement we make in the airport industry. Ready to play a more active role in shaping what comes next? Reach out to Jeremy Valcich, C.M., ACE, IACE, to get involved.