Inclusion in Aviation 2025
November 17-19, 2025 | Bellevue, WA
Presented in Partnership with
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About the Event
Sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment is critical to industry success and growth. Join industry leaders at AAAE/Northeast Chapter AAAE Inclusion in Aviation 2025 as we discuss key areas of focus and different strategies, along with a variety of implementation methods for the greatest impact in your environment.
Keynote Speakers
Valerie Alexander
Valerie Alexander is a globally recognized speaker, author, and advocate for workplace happiness, inclusive leadership, and the advancement of women. Her TED Talk, How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias, has over a million views and is used as a training tool worldwide. Valerie has spoken for Fortune 500 companies, NASA, the U.S. Naval Academy and more, blending humor, research, and real-world insight to inspire change. She’s the bestselling author of Happiness as a Second Language and other books on success and gender equity. A former tech exec, Hollywood screenwriter, and startup founder, Valerie now lives outside
Atlanta with her husband and their dog, Vegas, Baby!
Sarah Keimig
Sarah is a mother of four, a U.S. military veteran, and a trusted voice in the culture and belonging space. She began her journey at Alaska Airlines nine years ago as a customer service agent and now leads transformative efforts that foster connection, inclusion, and engagement across the company.
Her leadership is rooted in empathy, presence, and systems thinking. As the architect of a reimagined approach to employee communities, Sarah unified 13 individual groups into an enterprise-wide program, tripling the number of BRG leaders and significantly expanding participation. She also leads inclusive leadership development, turning learning into a journey grounded in reflection, growth mindset, and accountability.
She believes trust is the currency of leadership, and that collaboration and empowerment will shape the future of work. Sarah is committed to creating a culture where guests feel genuinely welcomed, communities see their values reflected, and employees are thriving and believe they belong.
CEU Credits
This event qualifies for the A.A.E. Continuing Education Units (CEU) Program. Learn more.
Monday, November 17, 2025
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Registration
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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Welcome Reception
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sponsored by King County International Airport - Boeing Field
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
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Registration
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Sponsored by Mead & Hunt
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Welcome Remarks
9:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.
Maria Bremis, Senior Vice President, HR, Compliance & EEO, AAAE
Zachary Sundquist, A.A.E., IACE, Assistant Airport Director, Portland International Jetport
Vanessa King, Innovation Manager, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
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Session I – State of Affairs: Inclusion in 2025
9:10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
Hear from airport leaders about the state of inclusion in the aviation industry after a year of changes at the federal level to the legal and regulatory landscape.
Moderator: Zachary Sundquist, A.A.E., IACE, Assistant Airport Director, Portland International Jetport
Panelists:
- Charlene Reynolds, C.M., Airport Director, John Wayne Airport - Orange County
- John Parrot, A.A.E., Airport Division Director, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
- Ann Richart, A.A.E., Aviation Director, Washington State Department of Transportation
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Refreshment Break
10:10 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
Sponsored by
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Session II – Flying Through Headwinds: Lessons in Courageous Equity Leadership from King County
10:35 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
In this session, cross-sector leaders from across county government will share how they practice courage in moments of risk, hold steady to their values under pressure, and close the gap between equity talk and equity action. Designed to spark insight and cross-pollination, this conversation invites aviation professionals to consider how tested strategies from other sectors might support their own journey toward more courageous, impactful equity leadership.
Moderator: Simone Hamilton, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
Panelists:
- Vanessa Chin, Innovation Manager, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
- Cecelia Hayes, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
- Cameron Breither, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
- John Miller, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
- Robert Tovar, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
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Keynote Luncheon - Inclusion in Aviation: Breaking Barriers & Building Bridges
11:35 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sponsored by
What if the secret to a thriving workplace wasn’t just talent or strategy—but human
connection? This dynamic, highly interactive keynote explores how identity can either divide us or bring us together—and how creating true inclusion leads to greater happiness, collaboration, and
success.Backed by brain science, real-world examples, and actionable techniques, this talk unpacks the hidden ways different identities are held to different standards, and how equal access to mentorship, sponsorship, and growth opportunities transforms teams and organizations.
Speaker: Valerie Alexander, Founder and President of Valerie Alexander Ventures, Founder and Former CEO of Goalkeeper, Author Happiness as a Second Language, Success as a Second Language, and How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having "Female Brains"), TED Talk Speaker on How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias
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Session III – Expanding Horizons: Alternate Pathways to Careers in Aviation
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
In this session, industry leaders share the innovative programs being utilized to attract previously untapped talent in their communities to the aviation industry.
Moderator: Zainab Beydoun, A.A.E., Deputy Director, Landside, Wayne County Airport Authority
Panelists:
- Matthew Gomez-Peterson, C.M., ACE, Airport Security Contract Administrator, Denver International Airport
- Kevin Nuechterlein, MPA, C.M., Northwest Planning Department Manager, Mead & Hunt
- Denise Lewis, Director, Outreach and Community Engagement, Vetjobs/Military Spouse Jobs
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Break
2:00 p.m. - 2:05 p.m.
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Session IV – Beyond Compliance: Elevating Accessibility at Airports
2:05 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.
This session not only discusses the critical responsibilities that airports have with regard to accessibility but also explores ways to enhance that accessibility through innovative human-centered approaches.
Moderator:
Panelists:
- Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Port of Seattle
- Lelani Grant, City of Dallas Aviation Department
- Nate Olsen, ADA Specialist, King County International Airport - Boeing Field
- Francisco Lasta, Inclusive Design Lead, GFT
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Refreshment Break
3:05 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sponsored by
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Session V – Inclusion Lessons Learned
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Table Sponsors:
Once again, we are borrowing from the tech world by applying the hack-a-thon concept to inclusion in aviation and bringing together attendees to engage in collaborative conversations about the lessons they have learned on various topics in this past year of change in the inclusion space. We will have table discussions led by moderators and will come together at the end to discuss these lessons and ideas for the future of inclusion. Topics this year will include Employee Resource Groups, Equity, Immigration, and Mental Wellness.
Moderator: Maria Bremis, Senior Vice President, HR, Compliance & EEO, AAAE
Table Moderators:
- Employee Resource Groups –
- Equity -
- Immigration -
- Mental Wellness -
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Evening Event
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by King County International Airport - Boeing Field
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
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Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Sponsored by C&S Companies, Connico
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Coffee and Conversation with Alaska Airlines
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Hear how Alaska Airlines is evolving their inclusion strategy.
Speaker: Sarah Keimig, Senior Culture Partner, Alaska Airlines
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Break
10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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Session VI – Strengthening the Chain: Future Proofing Airport Partner Ecosystems
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This session will discuss the implications of the Mid-America Milling case and the new set of objectives for small and disadvantaged businesses, as well as how to build programs to last and redesign airport partnerships for resilience of the workforce.
Moderator: Anita Cobb, MBA, Market Leader - Aviation Civic Strategies, Mead & Hunt
Panelists:
- Odette Oppe, C.M., Administration and Financial Compliance Manager, Eugene Airport
- Taffy Pippin, Founder, Taffy Pippin Consulting, LLC
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Box Lunch
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by
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Session VII – Inclusion Trend Talks
12:30 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
In these 20 minute talks, attendees will learn about creating psychologically safe spaces, managing uncertainty and responding to federal policy changes, the ways AI is shaping the future of inclusion, and how corporate America is addressing the changes to inclusion.
Speakers:
- Building a Psychologically Safe Environment in Aviation
- Managing Uncertainty: A Tool for Responding to Federal Policy Changes
- Bookda Gheisar, Senior Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Port of Seattle
- How AI and Autonomous Technologies are Shaping the Future or Airport Operations and Inclusion
- Corporate America's Approach to Inclusion in 2025
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- Building a Psychologically Safe Environment in Aviation
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Closing Remarks
2:10 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Maria Bremis, Senior Vice President, HR, Compliance & EEO, AAAE
Zachary Sundquist, A.A.E., IACE, Assistant Airport Director, Portland International Jetport
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Community Engagement Event for Mary's Place
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Join us as we assemble care packages for Mary's Place, a nonprofit organization serving Seattle and King County that ensures no child sleeps outside by centering equity and opportunity for women and families. Mary's Place has helped thousands of women and families move out of homelessness into more stable situations for over 25 years.
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.
2025 Registration Fees
| On/Before October 3, 2025 |
After October 3, 2025 |
|
|---|---|---|
| AAAE/IAAE Member | $800 | $900 |
| Non-Member | $900 | $1,000 |
| Federal Government | $500 |
$550 |
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Student*/Faculty |
$350 |
$350 |
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.
Cancellation Policy:
Registrations and cancellations must be submitted in writing. Cancellation requests received before Friday, October 24, 2025 are subject to a $125 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.
Photo/Video Disclaimer:
By registering for and attending any AAAE event, you agree that your image may be used at any time, without further notification, for printed materials, web sites, social media and other marketing purposes.
Hotel & Travel
Hotel Accommodations
Downtown Bellevue, Washington
Rooms are being held at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 10777 NE 10th St, Bellevue, Washington, 98004. All attendees will receive a special rate of $239/night single/double occupancy, exclusive of applicable room taxes and fees*. The last day to receive this discounted rate is Wednesday, October 27, 2025. Rooms may sell out before this date so make your reservations today!
*Subject to tax and fees, which currently total 14.5% + $2.50 TPA City of Bellevue Tax.
Transportation
Airline Information
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have been selected as the official air carriers for this meeting. When booking United, refer to the offer code ZQ59414458. When booking Delta, refer to meeting code NY3L2.
United Airlines has been selected as one of the official air carriers for this meeting. United Airlines is pleased to offer discounts of 2% to 10% off published fares. Save an additional 3% by booking your own reservations at www.united.com. Choose your flight times, and access your meeting discounts by inserting ZQ59414458 in the Promotions and Certificates Offer Code box. Or Call your travel professional or United Meetings at 800.426.1122 for reservations. Refer to Z Code ZQ59 and Agreement Code: 414458.
Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for American Association of Airport Executives Please click here to book your flights! You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (CT) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY3L2.
*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.
Ground Transportation
Check back for ground transportation information.
Make a Lasting Impression by Sponsoring!
Sponsorship provides companies and organizations dedicated to inclusion with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to this and its advancement within the aviation industry. This conference boasts a high-level audience that you cannot afford to miss the chance to meet with!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Tuesday, November 18
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Continental Breakfast | $4,000
Sponsored by: Mead & Hunt -
AM Refreshment Break | $2,750
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Keynote Luncheon | $6,000
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PM Refreshment Break | $2,750
Wednesday, November 19
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Continental Breakfast | $4,000
Sponsored by: C&S Companies, Connico -
AM Refreshment Break | $2,750
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Box Lunch | $5,000
Other Sponsorships
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Attendee Name Bags (exclusive) | $6,500
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Attendee Lanyards (exclusive, sponsor-provided) | $6,500
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Note Pads & Pens (exclusive, sponsor-provided) | $5,500
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Conference Mobile App (exclusive) | $5,500
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Conference Wi-Fi (exclusive) | $5,500
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General Session (5 session options available) | $4,000
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Small (25 EES or less) DBE - Inclusion Supporter | $1,300
Sponsorship Levels
| Investment | Benefits |
|---|---|
| $5,000 and up | Event sponsor; roster; two complimentary registrations |
| $2,750 - $4,999 | Event sponsor; session sponsor; roster; one complimentary registration |
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$1,300 |
Small DBE Inclusion Supporter; one complimentary registration |
Contact Information
Questions? Contact Us!
Program & Sponsorship Information
Maria Bremis
703.797.2528
Registration & Hotel Information
Stephanie Santini, CMP, DES
571.560.1854
Press & Media Inquiries
Brian Kalish
703.575.2461
