40th Annual Aviation Issues Conference
January 11-15, 2026 | The Big Island, Hawaii
The countdown to this event is over!
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The AAAE Aviation Issues Conference has served as the preeminent gathering of aviation professionals for over three decades, bringing together top-level officials from government and all segments of the aviation industry for in-depth discussions of key issues and charting the course for the Washington agenda in the year ahead.
Sunday, January 5
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AAAE Board of Directors/Policy Review Council Meeting and Discussion
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Airport Board Member and Commissioner Roundtable
3 -4 p.m.
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Welcome Reception
5:30 - 7 p.m.
Monday, January 6
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Welcome Remarks
8:15 - 9 a.m.
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Washington Leaders Forum
9 - 9:30 a.m.
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Session 1 – State of the Industry: Discussion with Aviation Leaders
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
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Break with Exhibitors
10:30 - 11 a.m.
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Session 2 - Washington Outlook
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
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Panel One: The New Administration: Key Players and Priorities
11 - 11:30 a.m.
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Panel Two: The 119th Congress: New Leadership and New Priorities
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
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Issue Briefings
1 - 4 p.m.
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Leadership Focus - An Informal Discussion with Government Leaders
1:30 - 3 p.m.
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Aloha Reception
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Sponsored by Southwest Airlines
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Breakfast
7 - 8:15 a.m.
Sponsored by Hawaii Department of Transportation
Tuesday, January 7
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Session 3 – Aviation Agenda: FAA Reauthorization Implementation and Emerging Issues for 2025 and Beyond
8:15 - 9:30 a.m.
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Session 4 – Airport Outlook: Infrastructure and Innovation
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
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Break with Exhibitors
10:30 - 11 a.m.
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Session 5 – Air Service: Changing Environment for Airports, Airlines and Communities
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Issue Briefings
1 - 4 p.m.
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Hau’Oli Maoli Oe Reception
8:30 – 10 p.m.
Sponsored by: HMSHost and Hudson by Avolta -
Breakfast
7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
Wednesday, January 8
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Session 6 – Workforce: Growing and Diversifying Career Opportunities
8:15 - 9:30 a.m.
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Session 7 – Security: Meeting Emerging Threats in an Era of Budget Constraints
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
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Break with Exhibitors
10:30 - 11 a.m.
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Session 8 – Sustainability: Progress and Challenges in Washington and Across the Globe
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Issue Briefings
1 - 4 p.m.
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Closing Conference Reception
5 - 6:30 p.m.
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Breakfast
7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
Thursday, January 9
-
Session 9 – Safety: Building on Recent Success
8:15 - 9:15 a.m.
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Session 10 – Industry Collaboration and Communication: Finding Solutions Together
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
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Break with Exhibitors
10:15 - 10:45 a.m.
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Session 11 - Wrap-Up
10:45 - 11:30 a.m.
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Adjournment
11:30 a.m.
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Breakfast
7:15 - 8:15 a.m.
Conference Agenda
Click below to view last year's agenda. Please check back for updates.
Golf Tournament
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 12:30 p.m.
Join us for golf at the Mauna Lani Golf course.
Registration Fees & Deadlines
You acknowledge that in registering for and attending this AAAE event, you agree to adhere to the cancellation policy noted below, AAAE's Duty of Care, and AAAE's Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions.
If you are not seeing the correct pricing appear for your member type, please contact member.services@aaae.org to complete your registration for this event.
2026 REGISTRATION FEES - REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN LATE AUGUST
On/Before November 21, 2025
|
After |
|
---|---|---|
AAAE Airport Member |
$995 |
$1,100 |
Airport Non-Member |
$1,250 |
$1,350 |
AAAE Corporate Member/Association Member/Conference Sponsoring Organization |
$1,350 |
$1,450 |
Corporate Non-Member |
$3,400 |
$4,400 |
Federal Government Rate |
$450 |
$500 |
Spouse/Guest* |
$385 |
$485 |
Junior Delegate |
$175 |
$175 |
Golf Tournament |
$400 |
$400 |
AAAE accepts registration regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, sex, physical disability, and national or ethnic origin. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, and educational services. If you require any special assistance to participate or have special dietary requirements, email aaaemeetings@aaae.org.
*Spouse/Guest Registration
Spouse/Guest Registration fees include: receptions on Sunday and Wednesday and breakfasts Monday through Thursday. Spouse/Guest refers to a spouse, significant other or personal friend, NOT a business associate or staff colleague affiliated with the aviation industry.
Cancellation Policy:
Registrations and cancellations must be submitted in writing. Cancellation requests received before Friday, December 19, 2025, are subject to a $175 processing fee and will be processed after the meeting takes place. There will be no refunds after this date. Substitutions will be accepted without penalties and no-shows will be billed. For all inquiries regarding cancellations and refunds, please contact the AAAE Meetings Department at 703.824.0504 or email aaaemeetings@aaae.org. By submitting a completed registration form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the cancellation policy.
NOTE: AAAE reserves the right to postpone or cancel an event if the number of registrants is insufficient; due to acts of God; or any other reason beyond AAAE’s control. In this event, we will notify all registrants and credit the full registration fee towards another AAAE meeting, product or service. However, any costs incurred by the registrant, such as hotel cancellation or airline penalties, are the responsibility of the registrant. Confirmation letters will be emailed to attendees within two weeks of receipt of registration. However, if you have not received a confirmation email two business days prior to the meeting, and you enrolled at least two weeks prior to the meeting, please contact the AAAE Meetings Department at 703.824.0504 or AAAEmeetings@aaae.org. Please note failure to receive a confirmation letter before an event will not be grounds for a refund.
Media Access Policy
AAAE reserves the right to grant at its sole discretion access to TV, radio and print media organizations or individuals that have registered and received prior authorization from AAAE at least 72 hours prior to an AAAE event they wish to cover. Due to the sensitive nature of some discussions, not all sessions at some AAAE events will be open to media. AAAE retains the sole right to grant or refuse media access for any event or section of an event it operates.
Hotel & Travel
NOTE: Please note that there are several companies (National Travel Association, Global Housing, Exhibition Housing Services, etc) who may contact AAAE attendees and exhibitors claiming they are calling on behalf of AAAE and are the official housing company for the conference. The only way to make reservations within the AAAE block and to receive the discounted rate at the Diplomat Hotel is to make your reservation directly with the hotel. AAAE does not contract with third parties to make hotel reservations, and you should only be providing your credit card information directly to employees of the hotel. Always ask about the AAAE block rate when making your reservation with the hotel. Reservations made with unauthorized third party companies are not valid reservations. In the event that you book rooms through any such organization, AAAE will not be able to assist you should rooms be unavailable upon your arrival at the hotel. Should you receive any of these calls or have any questions, please contact Jonna Thoma, AAAE, at 703.797.2578.
PLEASE NOTE, HOTEL ROOMS ARE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS ATTENDING THE AAAE AVIATION ISSUES CONFERENCE.
Hotel Accommodations
Rooms are being held at the Fairmont Orchid at 1 North Kaniku Drive, Waimea, HI, 96743, phone 808.885.2000.
Fairmont Garden View rooms: $429 single/double
Partial Ocean View rooms: $489 single/double
Ocean View rooms: $559 single/double.
Please note that there is an additional charge of $15 per room per night plus tax that is not included in the above room rate.
Room reservations will be available soon. Check back.
Tax for all rooms are currently 17.962%. All rates are based on single/double occupancy.
All reservations must be accompanied by a two (2) night's room and tax deposit. The guest room rates are quoted exclusive of any applicable taxes (currently 17.962%), applicable service fees, and/or Hotel-specific fees in effect at the time of the event.
All rates are based on single or double occupancy. Each extra person sharing a room will be charged an additional $75.00 plus tax per night, beginning with the third adult. There will be no charge for children under the age of 18 years sharing the same room with their parents and utilizing existing bedding. Maximum occupancy is four (4) adults or two (2) adults and two (2) children per room. A $75 rollaway fee applies. This fee is waived if guest is paying additional for the third and fourth adult. are available upon request. The maximum number of rollaway per room or suite is one (1). Rooms with 2 beds are unable to accommodate a rollaway.
Reservations will require a two nights' deposit. The last day to receive this discounted rate is Friday, December 5, 2025. Rooms may sell out before this date, so plan to make your reservations early.
Late Cancellations/No-Shows:
Hotel reservation cancellation information: Cancellation of individual reservations made up to 60 days prior to arrival are subject to cancellation fee of one (1) nights room and tax. For reservations cancelled within 60 days prior to arrival, individuals will be responsible for two (2) nights room and tax.
Shortened Reservations: Individual reservations where the original reservation dates have been shorted up to 30 days prior to arrival will be accepted and the deposit refunded for those rooms for up to two (2) full night’s stay. For reservations shortened within 30 days prior to arrival, individuals will be responsible for 100% of the reservation.
Additional Hotel Option:
Check back for additional hotel options.
Travel

Ground Transportation
The Kona International Airport (KOA) is located approximately 22 miles from the Fairmont Orchid and will take approximately 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are readily available and are located curbside at the baggage claim area. Uber and Lyft are available at designated areas of the terminal. Learn more about ground transportation at KOA.
Rental Car Information
Will be available soon.
Airline Information
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have been selected as the official air carriers for this meeting.
United Airlines has been selected as one of the official air carriers for this meeting. You may book online via www.united.com and enter the Offer Code ZRCE214197 in the Offer Code box or call United Reservations Meetings Desk at 800.426.1122 and provide the Z Code ZRCE and Agreement Code 214197. For all tickets issued through United Meetings Reservations Desk, there will be a $25 per ticket service fee collected. This fee is subject to change without notice. Such service fee is nonrefundable and applies to all itineraries, one-way or round-trip. Black-out dates apply.
Delta Air Lines will be available soon.
Gain Exposure with Sponsorship!
Sponsorship Levels
Level |
Benefits |
Platinum Wings ($8,000 and up) |
Attendee Roster; 3 Complimentary Registrations; Complimentary Tabletop Exhibit |
Gold Wings ($6,000-7,999) |
Attendee Roster; 2 Complimentary Registrations; Complimentary Tabletop Exhibit |
Silver Wings ($4,000-5,999) |
Attendee Roster; 1 Complimentary Registration |
Bronze Wings ($2,501-3,999) |
Attendee Roster |
Airport Angel ($2,500) |
Listing as Airport Angel |
Available Opportunities
Airport Angel
Co-Sponsor Rate: $2,500
General Sessions
General Session I
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,500
General Session II
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,500
General Session III
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,500
General Session IV
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,500
General Session V
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,500
Events
Claudia Holliway Newcomers' Reception
Exclusive Sponsorship Rate: $15,000
Welcome Reception
Exclusive Sponsorship Rate: $15,000
Monday Breakfast
Co-Sponsor Rate: $7,000
Monday AM Break
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,000
Monday Breakout Sessions
Co-Sponsor Rate: $5,000
Monday Keynote Luncheon
Co-Sponsor Rate: $8,000
Monday PM Break
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,000
Monday Evening Event
Sponsored by Conference Host
Tuesday Breakfast
Co-Sponsor Rate: $7,000
Tuesday AM Break
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,000
Tuesday Breakout Sessions
Co-Sponsor Rate: $5,000
Tuesday Keynote Luncheon
Co-Sponsor Rate: $8,000
Tuesday Roundtable Discussions
Co-Sponsor Rate: $3,800
Tuesday PM Break
Co-Sponsor Rate: $6,000
Other Opportunities
Notepads and Pens (sponsor supplied)
Exclusive Sponsorship Rate: $6,500
Lanyards / Name Badges
Exclusive Sponsorship Rate: $15,000
Tote Bags
Exclusive Sponsorship Rate: $15,000
Hotel Key Cards*
Exclusive Sponsorship Rate: $6,000
Mobile App
Co-Sponsor Rate: $7,500
Sponsor’s Right of First Refusal
In recognition of the sponsoring company’s support of the National Airports Conference, AAAE agrees that with respect to the following year, companies with EXCLUSIVE sponsorship will have the right of first refusal over all other potential sponsors for the same sponsorship of the same event or item, in the subsequent year.
Sponsoring companies are eligible for this right of first refusal to renew their sponsorship only if the company has exclusively sponsored an event; however, the benefits and consideration of the sponsorship may be renegotiated as necessary. Sponsor shall have 120 days following the conclusion of the National Airports Conference to renew their sponsorship for the following year. If the sponsoring company fails to notify AAAE of its intention to renew its sponsorship within the 120-day period, AAAE reserves the right to open the opportunity to the public without providing prior notice to the previous year’s sponsoring company.

Build brand recognition by having your brand front and center at the top events and branded items of the conference.
Contact Information
Questions? Contact Us!
Program
Karen Kuhlman
703.797.9022
Registration, Hotel Reservations, and Logistics
Jonna Thoma
703.797.2578
Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
Lisa Williams
571.560.1765