Professional Development Grants
The AAAE Professional Development Grant Program empowers members to pursue opportunities for professional growth, expand their networks, and advance their careers, even when financial limitations make attending in-person events challenging. This initiative reflects AAAE’s commitment to fostering excellence and innovation within the aviation industry.
Funded through the success of AAAE’s business operations, the grants are available to:
- Executive and Affiliate Members – Individual members employed by an airport.
- Corporate Member Staff – Eligible to apply for select events.
Our Professional Development Grant Program ensures that dedicated airport professionals can access the resources, connections, and insights needed to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the industry.
Eligible 2025 Events:
- Airport Customer Experience Symposium | March 3 - 5 | Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium | March 12 - 14 | San Antonio, TX
- Washington Legislative Conference | March 19-20 | Washington, DC
- Loretta Scott, A.A.E. Accreditation/Certification Academy | March 16-21 | Dallas, TX
- 97th Annual Conference & Exposition | June 8-10 | Atlanta, GA
- Loretta Scott, A.A.E. Accreditation/Certification Academy | July 6 - 11 | Denver, CO
- F. Russell Hoyt National Airports Conference | September 28 - 30 | Salt Lake City, UT
- Loretta Scott, A.A.E. Accreditation/Certification Academy | November 2 - 7 | Alexandria, VA
- Airport Operations & Technology Symposium | Date and Location TBA
- General Aviation Conference | Date and Location TBA
- Aviation Security Summit | Date TBA | Washington, DC
- Airports Conference of the Americas | Date and Location TBA
- North America/Central Europe Airport Issues | Date and Location TBA
Each Professional Development Grant Includes:
- Flights to/from the event
- Hotel lodging during the event
- Complimentary registration for the event
Recipients are Responsible for:
- Transportation to/from the airport/hotel
- Meals not included with the event
- Hotel incidentals (room service, mini bar, tips, etc.)
- Enrollment or program fees (Accreditation/Certification Academies and Review Courses)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be an Executive or Affiliate member of AAAE in good standing at both the time of application and the event.
- Staff of AAAE Corporate members may apply for grants to attend the Annual Conference, National Airports Conference (NAC), and Airport Planning, Design, & Construction Symposium.
- Applicants must submit a resume, a recommendation letter from a supervisor with authority to approve travel, a headshot, and the completed online application.
- Applicants may not have access to a leadership travel reimbursement through AAAE.
- Applicants who have received an AAAE Professional Development Grant within the past three years are ineligible.
- One grant for the Annual Conference and one for the NAC will be specifically designated for the AAAE Young Professional Committee members.
Timeline
- Applications for 2025 grants will open on Monday, November 25, 2024
- Applications must be received by close of business on January 17, 2025. Only complete applications will be considered.
Note: Per the IRS, these professional development grant payments in the form of expense reimbursement, complimentary conference registration, and/or direct travel arrangements are taxable to the recipient at face value. As such, AAAE will collect completed W9 forms from each recipient upon acceptance into the program, prior to travel arrangements being made.
Please contact Gwen Basaria at gwen.basaria@aaae.org or 703.797.2540 with questions.
AAAE reserves the right to change or discontinue this program without notice.
Please contact Gwen Basaria at gwen.basaria@aaae.org or 703.797.2540 with questions.
AAAE reserves the right to change or discontinue this program without notice.
