The Airport of the Future Starts Today
Connecting people, technology, infrastructure, and ideas
On behalf of the Airport Consultants Council (ACC), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and our dedicated, all-volunteer Symposium Planning Committee, I am delighted to invite you to the 2027 Airport Planning, Design, & Construction Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana.
New Orleans is a city where cultures, traditions, people, and ideas come together to create something truly distinctive. That spirit of connection makes it an ideal setting for our industry to exchange perspectives, strengthen relationships, and explore how today’s decisions will shape the airports of tomorrow.
As always, our goal is to provide a program filled with robust, relevant, and forward-thinking content led by knowledgeable industry professionals. The response to this year’s Call for Topics generated an impressive range of ideas across our Planning/Environmental, Terminal/Landside, Engineering/Airside, Project Management/Construction Management, and Innovation tracks.
Across these tracks, several important themes have emerged. Sessions will explore:
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Artificial intelligence, connected data, BIM, GIS, and digital operations
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Resilience and operational continuity
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Alternative project delivery and early stakeholder alignment
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Electrification and future energy needs
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Workforce development and human-centered design
Together, these topics reflect an industry preparing for the future while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and exceptional airport experiences today. The program will balance strategic conversations with practical case studies, tools, and lessons that attendees can take back to their own organizations.
The ever-popular Young Professionals Program will return, along with plenty of opportunities to reconnect with industry partners and establish new relationships. We also look forward to welcoming diverse perspectives from airports and organizations of every size.
One of the greatest strengths of this Symposium has always been the community it creates. Vice Chair Curtin Brown and I encourage every returning attendee to bring someone new. Invite a colleague, introduce an industry partner, or encourage a young professional to experience the learning and connections that make this event so valuable.
In New Orleans, different voices and traditions come together to create something memorable. Let us bring that same spirit to the 2027 Symposium as we connect people, technology, infrastructure, and ideas to shape the future of aviation.
I look forward to welcoming you to New Orleans.
The airport of the future starts with the connections we make today.
Melissa A. Vasher, PE
Symposium Committee Chair
Project Manager
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
