airport business Magazine developed a cover story on the concept focus of the Airport Cities Conference held in Memphis last year. This year we travel to Denver for the world conference and exhibition.
Some elements of the program I look forward to include:
1. An opening address by conference chairman John D. Kosarda, the man who coined the term “aerotropolis”. In last year's cover story, 'Airports Becoming Cities', airport business interviewed Kosarda, who says the aerotropolis concept brings with it a change in thinking on the role of the airport.
“Airport master planning itself must change,” he says. “Basically, airports must do business the way business does business.”
2. The 'Airport Cities Rising' session, which will address how airports can be 'superchargers' for growth and benefit wider regions. Featured speakers include DFW CEO Jeff Fegan, LAX director Gina Marie Lindsey, and former Indianapolis Airport director John Clark.
3. An address by ACI-NA president Greg Principato, who in the same cover story of last year, stressed the importance of investing in airport infrastructure by stating: "Governments all over the world are working to create conditions for meaningful investment in infrastructure ... but there is one glaring exception to this trend, right here, in the United States.
"Rather than understand the need to invest in infrastructure the U.S. government actually stands in the way of airports and local communities who want and need to finance infrastructure."
4. A session on non-aeronautical revenue streams, which will focus on terminal facilities, concessions and retail, and other sources of staple airport revenue sources. As airports increasingly rely on non-aeronautical revenue to keep costs down for airline partners and maintain a healthy financial balance, finding new and innovative ways to generate revenue remains key.
While in town, I also plan to stop by the office of Michael Boyd, of Boyd Group International, an aviation forecasting consultancy based in Denver. The Boyd Group and airport business will discuss ways to optimize coverage of another major aviation industry event taking place September 16-18: The 17th Annual International Aviation Forecasting Summit, produced by the Boyd Group.
Keep an eye out for future announcements from our organizations regarding media content and coverage from this year's summit.
I hope to see you in Denver next week. Thanks for your interest,
Brad McAllister
