As of January 5, 2026—Schedule Subject to Change
DAY 1 | Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Location: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center & Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Capitol Hill Day | Members Only
8:00 am–8:10 am
Location:
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
U.S. Capitol Meet Up
Meet at Corner of East Capitol & First Street NE
8:30 am–9:00 am
Location:
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
AMAC Members Capitol Hill Group Photo
Group Photo: Meet at the bottom of the U.S. Capitol steps at 8:30 am, promptly, for a group photo. After, we will proceed through security and into the Capitol Visitors Center (CVC).
8:45 am
Location:
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room 200
Breakfast
9:00 am–9:10 am
Location:
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room 200
Opening Remarks
Speakers:
- Ricky Smith, Chair, AMAC Board of Directors;General Manager, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Eboni Wimbush, President & CEO, AMAC
- Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Vice Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee; Founder/CEO, Emerging Airport Ventures
9:10 am–9:30 am
Location:
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room 200
Advocacy Prep Briefing
Speakers:
- Andre Titus, Senior Manager, Programs & Operations, AMAC
- Nigel Stephens, Founder & Principal, Phoenix Strategies
9:30 am–4:30 pm
Location:
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room 200
Capitol Hill Meetings
We encourage you to depart at least 60 minutes before your Capitol Hill meetings. Transportation is at your discretion.
9:30 am–12:00 pm
Location:
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room 200
Capitol Connect: Direct Dialogue with Elected Officials
Speakers:
- Elected Officials
- Congressional Staffers
3:00 pm–6:00 pm
Location:
Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Forum Registration Open
5:30 pm–7:30 pm
Location:
Washington Marriott at Metro Center
AMAC PAC Reception — The Work Continues
Following a full day of advocacy, the AMAC Political Action Committee (AMAC PAC) invites members and forum registrants to gather for a brief but meaningful reception.
This is a critical moment for our industry and our collective voice. The AMAC PAC works to advance AMAC’s advocacy efforts by supporting federal leaders and caucuses who understand and champion fair access to airport contracting and employment opportunities. As the landscape continues to evolve, member presence and engagement are essential.
This reception is not a conclusion—it is a moment to come together, reinforce shared priorities and carry momentum forward as the forum begins and our work continues.
The AMAC PAC is non-partisan and provides members with a coordinated platform for political action.
DAY 2 | Thursday, March 19, 2026
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
7:00 am–5:00 pm
Registration Open
8:00 am–9:00 am
Rise n' Shine Breakfast
9:00 am–9:15 am
Opening Remarks
Speakers:
- Ricky Smith, Chair, AMAC Board of Directors; General Manager, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Eboni Wimbush, President & CEO, AMAC
- Farad Ali, Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee
9:15 am–9:35 am
On the Radar: Policy & Legislative Briefing
Moderator:
Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Vice Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee; Founder/CEO, Emerging Airport Ventures
9:40 am–10:40 am
From City Hall to the Runway
As airports continue to grow and modernize, the need to ensure local small businesses benefit from these investments has never been greater. From construction and concessions to services and supply chains, airports offer a powerful platform to drive local economic impact—especially when small businesses are meaningfully included.
This panel will feature mayors discussing how they are leveraging airport projects to support small business growth and participation. The conversation will explore policies, partnerships and innovative practices that help small businesses access contracts, build capacity and thrive within the airport ecosystem. Panelists will also examine how these efforts tie into broader citywide goals for economic opportunity, workforce development and neighborhood revitalization.
Mayors will share how they are engaging communities to elevate the role of small businesses as key drivers of job creation, innovation, and long-term economic resilience.
11:00 am–12:00 pm
From IFR to Implementation
This session moves beyond “what the IFR says” and focuses on what is shaping the DBE environment right now. Panelists will cover the current legal framework, varying UCP re-evaluation progress, state actions, policy shifts and how airports and agencies are operationalizing compliance while preserving opportunity. We will also address race-neutral small-business participation approaches, what can be done within existing approved plans and emerging questions around existing contracts, counting, good-faith efforts and substitution as certifications change. Attendees will leave with clarity on what is stabilizing, what remains uncertain and how to plan responsibly over the next 60–90 days.
Panel:
- Subash Iver, Partner, Kaplan Kirsch
- Sara Von Der Lippe, Pro-bono Chief Legal Counsel, Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.
12:15 pm–1:15pm
Networking Lunch
1:30 pm–2:30 pm
Pathways to Participation: How Airports Are Transforming Business Engagement
This session explores how airports and primes are taking intentional action to expand opportunities and improve participation across airport programs. Panelists will share real-world approaches to forecasting upcoming work, strengthening outreach, embedding inclusivity in procurement and evaluation practices and creating clearer pathways for business engagement. Attendees will gain insight into how airports are expanding access, improving transparency and positioning firms to engage early, track opportunities and compete more effectively.
2:30 pm–2:45 pm
Federal Access in Action: A Conversation with USDOT OSDBU
Speaker:
Allen Guttierez, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Transportation
2:45 pm–3:45 pm
Competing Smarter, Not Harder, in Uncertain Times
Airports are moving major projects forward, but small businesses are facing tougher conditions. Tariffs, rising operating costs, tighter margins and shifting procurement and operating requirements are changing what it takes to compete and perform. Panelists will share practical ways to rethink pricing, partnerships and capacity, manage tariff and cash flow risk and align with airport approaches without overextending. Attendees will leave with strategies that help firms stay competitive and help airports and primes build stronger, more sustainable participation.
Moderator:
Michael Jackson, Senior Vice President, Planning & Construction, Economic Development, Concessions, and Environmental Services, Wayne County Airport Authority
3:45 pm–4:30 pm
Capital to Compete
For many small businesses, the barrier to airport work is not capability; it is cash. This session features financial institution leaders discussing how the lending landscape is evolving to serve small businesses pursuing entry, growth and stability in aviation. Panelists will share how lenders are adapting their platforms, underwriting and partnerships for aviation contracting; what they need to see to lend with confidence; and how firms can strengthen financials, documentation and project readiness to become capital-ready. Attendees will gain a clearer view of how lenders assess risk in this sector and the steps businesses can take to access responsible, sustainable funding.
Panel:
Nicole Elam, President & CEO, National Bankers Association
5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Circle of Influence Networking Reception
DAY 3 | Friday, March 20, 2026
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
8:00 am–9:00 am
Rise n' Shine Breakfast
9:00 am–10:30 am
Airport Opportunities Procurement Forecast
Airport representatives will present a 12–18 month procurement forecast outlining architecture, engineering, construction and concession opportunities for suppliers.
Speakers:
- CDA
- DTW
- LAX
- PHL
- TPA
11:00 am–1:00 pm
Business Matchmaking
This appointment-only session connects airports and prime contractors directly with suppliers for focused, high-value conversations designed to spark partnerships and business opportunities.