A Young Professional's Perspective: Leading the Terminal & Landside Track

Over the last several months, it has been my pleasure to be the Young Professional Host for the Terminal/Landside Track of the 2025 ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium.

This role has provided me with a unique opportunity to work with aviation professionals from all over the world—many of whom work in fields outside of my own. It has truly been inspiring for me as a young professional to work with the moderators, panelists, hosts, and planning personnel. The passion these individuals have for aviation is contagious, and I’ve been amazed by the wealth of knowledge they all bring to this event!

My colleague, Pam Belalcazar, and I are very excited to introduce the Terminal and Landside Track Sessions for this year’s Symposium:

Revolutionizing Baggage Handling: Consolidation-Modernization-Optimization — Trends and Innovations
Wednesday, March 12, 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Baggage Handling Systems (BHS) are at the forefront of improvement priorities for airports worldwide, including three-quarters of North American airports, which are planning upgrades within the next five years. Join our panel of experts who will explore the latest trends in BHS, from planning, design, and engineering to procurement and installation, all while ensuring uninterrupted airport operations during construction. Plus, discover how virtual modeling, RFID, and AI are revolutionizing the screening and sorting processes.

Budgeting for Terminal Development — A Road Map to Successful Financial Planning
Wednesday, March 12, 2:45–4 p.m.

Getting the budget right the first time is crucial for the successful implementation of any project. In the evolving landscape of terminal development costs, percentages of traditional project components have shifted. Technology costs are rising as a percentage of overall costs, along with MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) and sustainability components. This session will present case studies of recently completed terminals, providing detailed insights into these evolving terminal components. We will also discuss what it takes to develop effective contingencies comparing initial project budgets with their actual costs to help guide budget development in the future.

World Class Airports: Integrating Technology and Design for Success
Thursday, March 13, 10:15–11:30 a.m.

U.S. cities are rapidly modernizing their aging infrastructure, with many focusing on building world-class airports. This session will explore what being a “world-class airport” means in different urban environments. Our panel will discuss approaches for sustainable airport development in "global" U.S. cities, emphasizing strategies for adaptability when industry demands change and financial capital is limited. This session will review lessons learned from worldwide projects, examining applicability and adaptability to enhance airport user experience while accommodating growth.

Small Changes, Big Impact: Enhancing Airport Efficiency and Passenger Experience
Thursday, March 13, 1:45–3 p.m.

Airports seek to improve efficiency and enhance passenger experience and revenue, but they may not have the financial capital for a major terminal overhaul or reconstruction. There are many ways to effectively enhance customer experience and operational efficiency through smaller-scale, nuanced changes. This panel will explore identifying specific passenger needs and provide real-world examples of cost-effective, simple solutions to improve facilities and optimize revenue and passenger experience.

The Future of Cargo: Optimizing Facilities at Constrained Airports
Thursday, March 13, 3:45–5 p.m.

The session will explore the complexities of planning and building resilient air cargo facilities to increase capacity at some of the busiest airports. Our panel of experts will review growth opportunities for cargo at airports where airfield access to real estate is limited. We will explore innovative cargo facility designs and strategic approaches to optimize available space, ensuring seamless operations. We will discuss innovative solutions for overcoming logistical challenges and maximizing efficiency, presenting case studies featuring successful expansions and collaborative efforts between airport authorities, airlines, and logistics providers.