Airport Finance and Business Administration Conference

7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

7:15- 8:15 a.m.

Sponsored by Flash Parking

8:15 - 8:30 a.m.

Speakers:

Holly Ackerman, Associate Vice President, Global Operations, AAAE

Cameron Sidor, C.M. A.C.E. (Conference Committee Chair), Business Development Manager, Birmingham (Ala.) Airport Authority

JAX Official (TBD)

8:30 - 9:45 a.m. Sponsored by Paradies Lagardère

Objective: Equip attendees with actionable knowledge and strategies to navigate emerging challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the evolving aviation industry.

Description: Join us for a session outlining the latest insights from industry experts on critical trends and developments impacting airports. This session will cover key issues shaping the future of the aviation industry.

Moderator:

Matt Townsend, Director, Frasca & Associates, LLC

Speakers:

Tom Cai, Director, Bank of America Securities, Inc. 

Edward Shelswell-White, Chief Vision and Customer Officer, Signal Aviation

Fitch (speaker TBD)

9:55 - 10:45 a.m.

Objective: Explore the opportunities, challenges, and best practices of leveraging public private partnerships (P3s) to advance airport infrastructure and operations. 

Description: Public private partnerships can play a significant role in meeting the growing capital and operational needs of airports. This session will examine how P3 structures are being applied in airport development today, from terminal modernization to concessions and beyond. Industry experts will discuss the financial, legal, and operational considerations that airports must weigh when pursuing P3s, as well as lessons learned from recent projects. Attendees will gain practical insights into when P3s make sense, how to structure successful agreements, and how to maximize value for both airports and their communities.   

Moderator:
Cameron Sidor, C.M., ACE, Business Development Director, Birmingham Airport Authority 

Speakers:     
Joshua Blum, CEO, Conrac Solutions Solutions

Gisela Shanahan, Managing Director, Frasca & Associates, LLC

Morven McCrindle, Chief Commercial Officer, JET Infrastructure

10:45-11:15 a.m.

Sponsored by Florence (S.C.) Regional Airport

12:30-2 p.m.

Sponsored by Plante Moran

AAAE ACT Finance Task Force: Capital InvestmentProgram Planning and
Financial Management at Airports

Introduction:    
Holly Ackerman, 
Associate Vice President, Global Operations, AAAE

Speakers: 
Guy Nagahama, Managing Director, Ramirez & Co., Inc.

Ira Smelkinson, Managing Director, Loop Capital Markets

2-2:50 p.m.

 2:55-3:45 p.m.  

Objective: Provide insights into effective capital planning strategies that balance operational needs, financial realities, and long-term growth.

Description: With infrastructure demands increasing and funding sources often constrained, airports must carefully plan and prioritize capital projects to meet both current and future needs. This session will explore how airports of different sizes approach capital planning, from aligning projects with strategic goals to securing funding and managing stakeholder expectations. Experts will share best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to ensuring that capital planning supports sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and financial stability. 

Moderator:     

Brian Drake, Assistant Vice President, Unison Consulting

Speakers: 

Eleni Elling, A.A.E., Airport Director - Treasury, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Toni Broom, C.M., Deputy Director, Finance & Administration, Rapid City Regional Airport

Sheneice Hughes, M.A.P., C.M., Deputy Director - Airport Finance, People & Culture, Dallas Love Field

3:45-4:15 p.m.

Sponsored by Garver

4:15-5:30 p.m.  

Objective: Provide airport finance leaders with practical strategies to structure, time, and market bond deals in a shifting environment, so they can manage risk effectively and capture new financing opportunities.

Description: Bond financing plays a critical role in funding airport capital projects, yet the details of structuring, issuing, and managing bonds can often feel complex and daunting. This session takes a creative approach by turning bond knowledge into a lively game-show experience. Three airport volunteers will team up to answer questions that cover essential topics such as financing structures, timing, regulatory requirements, investor relations, and common pitfalls. Along the way, attendees will gain valuable insights into the mechanics of bond issuance while enjoying a dynamic and engaging session.

Facilitators:    
Eleni Elling, A.A.E., Airport Director - Treasury, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Matt Townsend, Director, Frasca & Associates LLC

6-9 p.m.

Join AAAE and JAX for a block party at historic Fernandina Beach! There will be food, drinks, music, and activities such as Duckpinz bowling, miniature golf, and game rooms. Transportation will be provided from the Omni Amelia Island!

Hosted and sponsored by Jacksonville International Airport

Dress is casual. 

8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

8-8:30 a.m.

Sponsored by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport

8:30-9:45 a.m.

Objective: Provide airports with the most up-to-date information on FAA priorities, funding opportunities, and regulatory initiatives in the context of recent legislative and policy actions in Washington, D.C.

Description: With FAA reauthorization shaping the agency’s direction and federal policymakers focused on aviation’s future, staying informed has never been more important. In this session, FAA officials will share the latest updates on funding programs, regulatory changes, and key initiatives impacting airports nationwide. Attendees will gain practical insights into how federal decisions in Washington influence local operations, capital planning, and compliance, equipping them to anticipate challenges and leverage opportunities for their airports.

Moderator: 

Barry Molar, Director, Unison Consulting

Speaker:

Jesse Carriger, Manager - Infrastructure Branch, Office of Airports, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration

9:55-10:45 a.m.

CS 5 -  Emergency Planning: Unexpected Decision Making - Jacksonville Aviation Authority Case Study

Objective: Learn how airports can prepare for emergencies and make effective financial and operational decisions when standard processes break down.

Description: This case study session explores how organizations can prepare for the financial, operational, and legal realities of emergencies before they happen, and how decision-makers can navigate unexpected financial trade-offs during a crisis. Participants will examine real-world scenarios where standard budgeting, procurement, and approval processes break down, requiring adaptive thinking, risk tolerance, and coordination across departments and external partners.

Moderator:

Richard Rushing, A.A.E., Director of Operations, Savannah Airport Commission 

Speakers:

Terry Dlugos, Vice President of Operations, Jacksonville Aviation Authority

Tony Cugno, A.A.E., Chief Operating Officer, Jacksonville Aviation Authority

Devin Reed, Chief Compliance Officer, Jacksonville Aviation Authority

CS 6 – Adapting HR for a Changing Aviation Industry
Objective: Explore how airports can modernize HR practices to address workforce challenges, strengthen organizational culture, and enhance employee engagement.

Description: Airports are navigating a rapidly shifting HR landscape shaped by evolving employee expectations, competitive labor markets, and the integration of new technologies. This session will focus on the broader HR function—examining strategies for attracting and retaining staff, adapting policies to support flexibility, advancing diversity and inclusion, and leveraging technology to streamline workforce management. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to update HR practices to build a resilient, engaged workforce that supports airport operations and growth.

10:45-11:15 a.m.

 Sponsored by Talbert & Bright 

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Objective: Facilitate an open dialogue between airport CFOs and airline financial leaders on the challenges and opportunities shaping the aviation industry’s financial future.
    
Description: Financial leaders from both airports and airlines face complex and interconnected challenges—from managing costs and capital planning to navigating regulatory requirements and evolving market dynamics. This interactive roundtable will bring together CFOs from airports and airlines to share perspectives on key financial issues, explore areas of alignment and tension, and discuss strategies for building sustainable partnerships. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how financial decision-makers across the industry are approaching today’s pressures and preparing for long-term resilience.

12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Sponsored by Richmond International Airport

2-3:15 p.m.

CS 7 - Reporting Sustainability: ESG Strategies for Airports
Objective: Help airport leaders understand the role of ESG reporting in advancing sustainability initiatives, meeting stakeholder expectations, and strengthening financial and community trust.

Description: As sustainability becomes a top priority for the aviation industry, airports are increasingly expected to measure, track, and communicate their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. This session will examine how airports are developing ESG frameworks, gathering meaningful data, and reporting progress to regulators, investors, airlines, and local communities. Experts will share lessons learned, highlight emerging standards, and explore how effective ESG reporting can support funding opportunities, operational improvements, and long-term resilience.

Moderator:    

Eleni Elling, A.A.E., Airport Director - Treasury, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport        

Speakers:     

Melissa Sabatine, CEO, Capital Runway Advisory

Katherine Shabb, Airport Sustainability Program Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

CS 8 -  From Passenger Experience to Airport Profitability
Objective: Equip finance and administration leaders to actively shape operational and customer service decisions in order to protect revenue, retain passengers, and manage risk more effectively.

Description: This session will explore the critical connections between day-to-day operational decisions and an airport’s financial health. Using real-world examples such as deicing procedures that protect on-time performance and rental car coordination that supports arriving passengers, speakers will demonstrate how finance and administration professionals can add value by engaging beyond budgets and audits. Attendees will gain practical insights on collaborating with operations and customer service teams to improve reliability, enhance the passenger experience, and support informed budgeting, staffing, and cost–benefit analysis.

3:15-3:45 p.m.

Sponsored by Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

3:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Objective: Facilitate focused, collaborative discussions among industry professionals to share insights, address challenges, and explore actionable solutions

Table 1 - Administrative Issues
This discussion will focus on key administrative challenges and strategies in airport operations, including staffing, regulatory compliance, and effective management practices.

Table 2 - Current Issues
This table will explore pressing issues impacting airports today. Topics may include emerging trends, operational challenges, and opportunities for innovation in the aviation industry.

Table 3 - Finance and Accounting
This conversation will delve into finance and accounting topics, including GASB updates, budgeting, financial reporting, cost management, and best practices for ensuring fiscal responsibility in airport operations.

4:15-4:30 p.m.

Cameron Sidor, C.M., A.C.E. (Conference Committee Chair), Business Development Manager, Birmingham (Ala.) Airport Authority