As of March 21, 2025—Schedule Subject to Change
DAY 1 | Wednesday, March 26, 2025
8:00 am–8:30 am
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Networking Breakfast
8:30 am–8:35 am
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Capitol Hill Day Opening Remarks
Speakers:
- Farad Ali, Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee/Executive Chairman, Asociar
- Ricky Smith, Chair, AMAC Board of Directors/CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Eboni Wimbush, President & CEO, AMAC
8:35 am–8:50 am
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Fireside Chat with Brian Bell
Speakers:
- Brian Bell, Democratic Staff Director, House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, U.S. House of Representatives
- Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Founder & CEO, Emerging Airport Ventures
8:50 am–9:10 am
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
State of Affairs: A Legal Look
Speaker:
- Sarah von der Lippe, Pro-bono Chief Legal Counsel, Minority Business Enterprise Legal & Education Fund (MBELDEF)
9:00 am–4:30 pm
Location: U.S. Capitol
Capitol Hill Meetings
Members Only. Prep Webinar Required.
9:10 am–9:25 am
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Capitol Hill Meetings Overview
Speaker:
- Nigel Stephens, Principal, Phoenix Strategies
9:30 am
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Capitol Hill Day Prep Program Concludes
We encourage you to depart at least 60 minutes before your Capitol Hill meetings. Transportation is at your discretion.
12:15 pm
Location: U.S. Capitol
AMAC Member U.S. Capitol Group Photo
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center’s cafeteria is the meeting spot.
4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Registration Open
6:30 pm–8:00 pm
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
AMAC PAC Reception
DAY 2 | Thursday, March 27, 2025
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–9:10 am
Opening Remarks
Speakers:
- Ricky Smith, Chair, AMAC Board of Directors/CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Eboni Wimbush, President & CEO, AMAC
9:10 am–9:30 am
AMAC Government Affairs Legislative Updates
Speakers:
- Farad Ali, Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee/Executive Chairman, Asociar
- Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Vice Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee/ Founder/CEO, Emerging Airport Ventures
9:30 am–9:45 am
Congressional Remarks
Speaker:
- Congressman Rick Larsen, House Transportation and Infrastructure/Democratic Ranking Member, U.S. House of Representatives (D-WA)
9:45 am–10:45 am
DBE Legal Update
Moderator:
- Farad Ali, Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee/Executive Chairman, Asociar
Speakers:
- Tracy Davis, Attorney, Kaplan Kirsch
- Colette Holt, Principal, Colette Holt & Associates
10:45 am–11:00 am
Networking Break
11:00 am–12:00 pm
Airport Commissioners Panel – Airport Ecosystems: Empowering Airport Leadership for Economic Impact with Small Businesses
This panel brings together airport commissioners from across the country to share their experiences and perspectives on fostering small business participation in the airport ecosystem. As decision-makers navigate economic and political shifts, commissioners will discuss innovative approaches to expanding opportunities for small businesses, strengthening local partnerships and driving economic impact. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how airport leadership influences policies, programs, and initiatives that create sustainable, measurable success for small businesses and the broader community.
Moderator:
- Shelby Scales, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, HMSHost by Avolta
Panel:
Byron Amos, Transportation Chair, Atlanta City Council
Monica Montgomery Steppe, Supervisor, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
Karim Webb, President, Board of Airport Commissioners, Los Angeles World Airports
12:00 pm–12:45 pm
Keynote Address
Speaker:
- Michael Steele, Former RNC Chairman, Former Lt. Gov. Maryland, Political Analyst for MSNBC, Host of The Michael Steele Podcast
12:45 pm–1:45 pm
Lunch
1:45 pm–2:45 pm
Airport Directors Panel – Innovative Leadership: Expanding Small Businesses at Airports in Challenging Times
Airport Directors will share their unique and innovative strategies to expand small business opportunities at airports, from revamping procurement and mentorship programs to leveraging technology and community partnerships. They will discuss how airport leadership can drive policies supporting economic growth and airport development in the evolving aviation industry while showcasing practical strategies and success stories highlighting small businesses’ vital role in regional prosperity.
Moderator:
- Shannetta Griffin, former Associate Administrator of Airports, Federal Aviation Administration
Panel:
- Steven Baker, Executive Director, Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport
- Charlene Reynolds, Airport Director, John Wayne Airport
- Ricky Smith, Chair, AMAC Board of Directors/CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
2:45 pm–3:45 pm
Small Business Panel – Adapting for Success: Strategies for Small Business Growth in a Changing Procurement Landscape
As the landscape of airport procurement and small business opportunities rapidly evolves, entrepreneurs must adapt to remain competitive and resilient. This panel brings together industry leaders to discuss business continuity, expansion and capacity-building strategies in a shifting market. Gain insights into leveraging strengths, developing long-term growth plans and building sustainable partnerships. Panelists will share perspectives on navigating procurement policies, fostering innovation and positioning small businesses for long-term success through strategic collaborations, access to capital and mentorship.
Moderator:
- Tamela Lee, Vice President, Business Diversity & Development, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Panel:
- Patrick Askew, Executive Vice President, Aviation, McKissack & McKissack
- Jan Farris, Founder & CEO, Jan Farris Consulting
- Earl “Butch” Graves, CEO, Black Enterprise
- Kay Jefferson, Vice President, Business Development, Skanska
3:45 pm–4:00 pm
Networking Break
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Airport Opportunities Forum Part I
Airport representatives will present a 12–18 month procurement forecast of architecture, engineering, construction and concession opportunities for suppliers.
Speakers:
- Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) and Martin State Airport (MTN)
- Tanya Wojtulewicz, Chief, Business Development & Management, Maryland Aviation Administration
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Amber Meshack, Director, Business, Jobs & Social Responsibility, Los Angeles World Airports
- Ontario International Airport (ONT)
- Isela Toledo, Director, Business Opportunities, Ontario International Airport
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Alyson Murphy, Vice President, Operations, Fraport USA
5:30 pm–6:30 pm
Circle of Influence Networking Reception
DAY 3 | Friday, March 28, 2025
Location: Washington Marriott at Metro Center
8:00 am–9:00 am
Rise n' Shine Breakfast
9:00 am–10:00 am
Harnessing the Power of Coalitions
Effective change requires both strategic collaboration and active engagement. Transportation shapes the economic landscape, yet too often, industry conversations are reactive rather than proactive. This panel brings together leaders from key industry associations to explore how coalitions can drive policy, expand business opportunities and influence the future of transportation. Attendees will gain insights on leveraging collective power, engaging in strategic advocacy and taking action to shape policies that impact their businesses and communities.
Moderator:
- Eboni Wimbush, President & CEO, AMAC
Panel:
Bridgette Beato, Chair, WTS International
Anthony Hinojosa, Vice President of Government & International Affairs, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
John Porcari, Co-Chair, Equity in Infrastructure Project
Andy Weddig, Executive Director, Airport Restaurant & Retail Association
10:00 am–11:00 am
Airport Opportunities Forum Part II
Airport representatives will present a 12–18 month procurement forecast of architecture, engineering, construction and concession opportunities for suppliers.
Speakers:
- Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)
- Tracey Payne, Chief Administrative Officer/Managing Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Michael Jackson II, Senior Vice President, Planning & Construction, Economic Development & Environmental Services, Wayne County Airport Authority
- Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA)
- Terrence Carter, Business Diversity Director, Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- James Belle, Program Manager, Airport Dining and Retail, Port of Seattle
11:00 am–1:00 pm
Business Matchmaking
Our Business Matchmaking connects airports/primes with suppliers. This session is by appointment only.
- AECOM
- Baltimore Washington/ Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI)
- Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)
- Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)
- Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
- HMSHost
- JE Dunn Construction
- JGM
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA)
- Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (DCA/ IAD)
- Ontario International Airport (ONT)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Vanderlande Industries
- WHSmith North America
