40th Annual Aviation Issues Conference

January 11-15, 2026 | The Big Island, Hawaii

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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.

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
November 21, 2025

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

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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. 

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.

eventstosponsor1

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