ACE Safety Management Systems (SMS) Review Course
June 3-5, 2024 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET Daily | Alexandria, VA
The countdown to this event is over!
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About the Course
FAA has established a new role to airports detect and mitigate safety problems before they result in accidents or incidents. The final rule requires certain airports to develop and implement a Safety Management System (SMS). The ACE SMS Review Course was designed to prepare participants for understanding SMS as well as designing, planning, implementing, and maturing safety at an airport. The course material draws on decades of experience implementing SMS in a variety of industries and applies that experience to the unique world of airport operations. The ACE SMS certification is a thorough introduction to safety theory, and learners participate in a variety of hands-on practice to leave the course with an understanding not only of why SMS works, but how to apply that knowledge in a practical way. This course is best suited to practicing or aspiring safety professionals as well as to leaders who will have frequent interface with SMS processes.
Please note: Course enrollment does not include the ACE SMS Program Fee. In order to take the final examination, you MUST be enrolled in the ACE SMS Program. We are pleased to offer a discounted rate of the ACE SMS Program Fee as part of the course purchase. You can find more information in the registration process below.
This course is based on the NEW SMS material, released in February 9, 2024. Once you enroll in the ACE SMS program, you will receive a link to the new material. Contact training@aaae.org if you have questions.
Course Agenda
Monday, June 3
-
Breakfast
7:30-8 a.m.
Breakfast held in AAAE Conference Center
-
Overview
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Welcome and Introductions
- Overview of SMS: Purpose and Importance
- Safety History and Theory
- Hazards
- Normal Work
-
Lunch
12-1 p.m.
-
Policies, roles and concepts
- Safety and Quality
- Safety and Business
- Group Work
Tuesday, June 4
-
Breakfast
7:30 - 8 a.m.
-
Intro to SMS
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Safety Policy and Objectives
- Policy, Procedure and Process
- Safety Commitment
- Accountable Executive
-
Lunch
12-1 p.m.
-
Risk Management, Data and ROI
1-5 p.m.
- Risk Management
- Safety Data
- Classifying Risk
- Change
- Safety ROI
Wednesday, June 5
-
Breakfast
7:30 - 8 a.m.
-
Safety Assurance, Promotion and Implementation
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Safety Assurance and Promotion
- Communication
- Organizational Culture
- Implementation
- Gap Analysis
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Lunch
12 - 1 p.m.
-
Lessons Learned and Review
1-3 p.m.
- Revisiting Change
- Vision and Validation
- Pitfalls and Lessons Learned
- Review
-
ACE SMS Exam
3-5 p.m.
Attendees will take the ACE SMS exam to earn the certification. Laptops required.
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.
2024 REGISTRATION FEES
This training is $950 for the full 3-day review course. This fee does not include the ACE SMS program fee.
Do not miss our special rate of $410 for the ACE SMS Program Fee.
*You MUST submit the ACE SMS Program Fee to take the final certification exam.
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, cancellations and refund requests must be submitted in writing. All cancellation requests for registrations received on or before Friday, May 10, 2024, are subject to a $125 cancellation processing fee; approved refunds will be processed after the meeting takes place. There will be no refunds of any kind after this date. Cancellations with outstanding invoices received within two weeks of the start of the conference, will require full payment on the balance due. Refunds will not be provided, and balance dues will not be forgiven for no-shows. Substitutions within the same conference will be accepted without penalties. The difference between member and non-member price will be charged if a non-member replaces a member. Substitutions will be accepted with a written request to Training@aaae.org. The individual substituting for the original registrant is responsible for all financial obligations (balance due; difference in fees due to membership type) associated with that substitution. For all inquiries regarding cancellations, refunds and substitutions, please contact the AAAE Training Department at 703.797.9009 or email Training@aaae.org. By submitting a completed registration form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the cancellation policy.
Duty of Care:
During these challenging times, AAAE is committed to continuing to provide a safe and healthy environment for all event participants and staff. The responsibility for a safe and healthy event environment is shared among the event organizers, event venues, and event attendees. By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to AAAE's Duty of Care.
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.
About the Instructor

Benjamin Goodheart, Ph.D., CSP, FRAeS
Ben Goodheart is an organizational performance, safety, and leadership professional with over 25 years of experience. His diverse career began in the aviation industry, and his varied operational expertise affords him a variety of opportunities to practice within his passion. Today, Dr. Goodheart works in consultation with businesses in aviation, healthcare, public utilities, chemical processing, oil and gas, and others to design human-centered organizational systems that are resilient, safe, and effective for the people they serve. Ben is an active author, speaker, and researcher focused on novel applications within safety management and organizational climate and culture, and with a specific focus on building strong, flexible organizations through leadership and user-centered design. He holds a Master of Science in Safety Science and a Ph.D. with a research specialization in applied organizational safety, risk, and leadership. Dr. Goodheart is a Certified Safety Professional and an Airline Transport Pilot and Flight Instructor. He is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Magpie Human Systems, an international safety and organizational performance consultancy. Benjamin served as President of an international nonprofit relief organization and currently serves on the advisory board for Aviation Community Foundation and business advisory boards for notable UAS and service organizations. Dr. Goodheart and his family live in the U.S. in the foothills of Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
Location Information
All business sessions will be held at the AAAE Conference Center in the Barclay Building, 601 Madison Street, Third Floor, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, phone 703.824.0500. The building is directly across the street from the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria. The review course starts with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, June 3, and concludes at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5. Dress is casual.
Visitor parking is located at the Sheraton underground garage (for a fee), next to the main entrance on St. Asaph Street. Each morning you will need to use the buzzer at the front door to enter the building.
Be sure to bring with you the most recent edition of the ACE SMS Module, writing utensils, highlighters, and a laptop to take the exam on the final day. A course workbook will be provided to you at the start of class.
Recommended Hotel:
Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria (a Marriott brand), 801 N. Saint Asaph, Alexandria, VA 22314, phone 703.836.4700.
AAAE has a corporate rate with this hotel. Once you are on their website, enter in your arrival/departure dates. To the right of the dates, there is a dropdown menu for “special rates”. Click on the arrow and scroll to Corporate/Promo Code and enter the code "S6037". Please note, there may be other special or prepaid rates available during your stay, so the group rate may not always be the lowest.
Meals:
Breakfast and lunch will be provided by and take place at AAAE.
Civilian/Military Airport Connection (CMAC)
What is CMAC?
The Civilian/Military Airport Connection (CMAC) program helps separating military personnel and new veterans acclimate from managing military airfields to the dynamic and complex commercial-use airport environment.
There are four components to the program:
- Professional transition workshop
- One airport certification course - choice of ACE Airfield Operations or Certified Member (C.M.)
- One year membership in AAAE
- Airport job shadowing
Program Benefits:
- Ensure a smooth transition from military to civilian airport operations and management.
- Earn the Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Airfield Operations certification or Certified Member (C.M.), that will put you ahead of other candidates for potential jobs.
- Network with airport executives around the country through communities and events.
- Explore various airport positions through the shadow program.
- Receive discounts on other AAAE trainings and events.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Extend your reach and maximize exposure to a powerful audience by sponsoring the Industrial Aviation and Military Operations Workshop. From the opening networking reception, to breaks, lunches, and sessions, we have multiple tiers of sponsorships available. Your sponsorship will reinforce brand loyalty and show potential clients your company is a major player in the industry. Sponsorships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so act now before these opportunities sell out!
Don’t let your competition get all the attention, become a sponsor today!
Available Opportunities
Items
Wi-Fi Sponsorship
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,500.00
Events
Wednesday, March 27
Airbase Tour Transportation
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,500.00
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Networking Reception
Exclusive Sponsorship: $2,500.00
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Thursday, March 28
Continental Breakfast
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,000.00
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
AM Refreshment Break
Exclusive Sponsorship: $750.00
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Luncheon
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,500.00
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
PM Refreshment Break
Exclusive Sponsorship: $750.00
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Friday, March 29
Continental Breakfast
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,000.00
7:15 AM - 8:00 AM
Grab and Go Lunch
Exclusive Sponsorship: $1,000.00
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM