PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
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The Airport Development and Investment Conference is framed around a central question: can U.S. airports keep up with demand and rising passenger expectations in an environment defined by capital constraints, regulatory complexity, and evolving delivery models
As airports face mounting pressure to expand and modernize, the program explores how infrastructure is being financed, regulated, and delivered in today’s market, and what it will take to move projects forward at the scale required.
Over two days, the conference brings together airport authorities and operators alongside developers, institutional and infrastructure investors, airlines, concession partners, lenders, and advisory firms. Through case driven discussions and peer level dialogue, the program examines how capital is being deployed, how risk is being structured, and how projects are advancing from planning through execution.
The result is a forum focused on the real decisions shaping airport capital programs today, and the frameworks that will define how infrastructure is delivered in the years ahead.
Key Themes:
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Rebuilding the U.S. Airport Development Model
- Is the traditional public airport model still viable for large scale infrastructure
- What is the right balance between public control and private capital
- Why have some U.S. airports resisted P3 models while others have embraced them
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Deploying Capital into Airport Infrastructure
- Where is institutional capital actually being deployed today
- What makes an airport project investable versus unfinanceable
- Are returns sufficient to justify the complexity of U.S. airport deals
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Regulation as a Driver of Development
- Are changing requirements from the Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic control systems, the Transportation Security Administration, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection enabling or constraining innovation
- What reforms would meaningfully accelerate airport delivery
- How early should developers engage regulators to improve outcomes
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Airlines as Infrastructure Partners
- Who ultimately controls the passenger terminal the airport, the airline, or the investor
- Will airlines invest capital or demand control without it
- How will airline strategies reshape airport development
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Airports as Real Estate Platforms
- Are airports underutilizing their land assets
- What infrastructure assets generate the highest returns
- How should airports balance aviation needs with commercial development
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Future Infrastructure and Aviation
- How real is the transition to electric and regional aviation
- What infrastructure investments should airports prioritize today
- Where is hype exceeding reality
Featured Speakers
Meet Our Speakers
Basil Binns
Deputy Director, Administration & Business Development
Miami Airport
Francisco Brugueras
Director, Infrastructure & Project Finance
Barclays
Gerrard Bushell
Partner & Chairman
Carlyle Airport Group
Kaveh Dabiran
Managing Director
United Airlines
Richard Davey
Chief Executive Officer
Massachusetts Port Authority
George Casey
Chair & CEO
Vantage Group
Tammie Hall-Roberts
Chairwoman, Board of Directors
Raleigh-Durham Airport
Jim Heitmann
COO
PANYNJ
Jahred Kallop
Co-Chief Investment Officer
Tikehau Star Infra
Vikram Krishnan
Senior Partner
McKinsey
Huntley Lawrence
Principal
HAL Strategy Group
Steve Nackan
President, Concessions
AECON
Dwight Pullen
Senior Vice President
AECOM
Ken Cope
SVP of Real Estate Development
Denver International Airport
Jim Ray
President, Advisory
HNTB
Kathleen Sharman
Associate Vice President
Ricondo
Reed Singer
Managing Director
Ullico
Steve Sisneros
Executive Advisor
Paslay Group
Marlon Smith
Managing Director
JLC Loop
Ricky Smith
General Manager
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
Adam Stahl
Deputy Administrator
TSA
Steve Summers
Managing Director
Greenhill Partners
Sabine Trenk
CEO
Fraport USA
Rob Walker
Managing Director
United Airlines
Phil Washington
Former CEO
Denver International Airport
Darcy Wilson
Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments
Fengate
Featured Sessions
Sessions in the Spotlight
A look at just a few of our featured main stage conversations. Across two days, ADIC will feature more than 25 discussions with leaders from across the airport ecosystem.
Washington’s Airport Agenda: Investment, Growth and the Future of U.S. Aviation
The United States faces a generational need to modernize and expand its aviation infrastructure while accommodating continued passenger growth, new technologies and changing airline networks. This opening conversation will explore the federal government's priorities for U.S. aviation and airports, the role of public and private investment, opportunities to accelerate infrastructure delivery, and how Washington can help create the conditions for the next generation of airport development.
In Conversation
DAN EDWARDS
Assistant Secretary for Aviation & International Affairs
US Department of Transportation
Jim Ray
President, Advisory Services
HNTB
A Major Hub’s Next Move: Rethinking How Airport Infrastructure Gets Developed
In Conversation
George Casey
Chair and CEO
Vantage Group
Richard Davey
CEO
Massachusetts Port Authority
Kat Sadeghi
Managing Director, Advisory Innovative Delivery
HNTB
Airlines as Infrastructure Partners: Who Builds, Who Pays and Who Takes the Risk?
Airlines are among the largest users—and ultimately funders—of U.S. airport infrastructure, yet their perspective is often missing from discussions about how airport capital programs should be structured and delivered. Leaders from the four largest U.S. airlines will discuss how carriers evaluate major airport investments, what infrastructure they are willing to support, how they think about cost and risk, and where alternative financing and private-sector delivery can—or cannot—create value.
In Conversation
Kaveh Dabiran
Managing Director
United
Monica del Rio
Director, Airport Affairs
Southwest Airlines
Brian Mattingly
Director, Airport Affairs
Delta Air Lines
Steve Sisneros
Executive Advisor
Paslay Group
Reshma Sodi
Managing Director
American Airlines
From Aircraft to Infrastructure: What Will It Take to Build the AAM Network?
Moving beyond another discussion about when eVTOL aircraft will be certified, this session focuses on the infrastructure economics. Where will the first viable infrastructure be built? Can existing airports and FBOs be leveraged? Who pays for vertiports, charging and supporting infrastructure? And what needs to happen before AAM can generate infrastructure-style returns?
In Conversation
Kevin Cox
CEO
Vertiports by Atlantic Aviation
Nikhil Goel
Chief Commercial Officer
Archer
From LaGuardia to JFK to Newark: Lessons for the Next Generation of Major Airport Redevelopment
New York’s airport transformation has become one of the most ambitious redevelopment programs in U.S. aviation, pioneering new approaches to financing, private investment and project delivery at LaGuardia and JFK. Bringing together the airport owner, investor, developer and airline perspectives, this discussion will examine what worked, what was learned, how risk and returns evolved from one project to the next, and what these experiences mean for the next generation of major U.S. airport redevelopment
In Conversation
Jim Heitmann
Chief Operating Officer
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Huntley Lawrence
Principal
HAL Strategy Group
Marlon Smith
Managing Director
JLC Loop
RDU’s Next Move: What Could the Next Major U.S. Airport Development Opportunity Look Like?
Raleigh-Durham is one of the country’s fastest-growing aviation markets and faces significant infrastructure requirements as it plans for continued passenger growth. This conversation will examine how RDU is thinking about its next generation of development, what projects and delivery models may be considered, where private-sector participation could add value, and what investors and developers should understand about the opportunity as the airport plans for its next chapter.
In Conversation
Tammie Hall-Roberts
Chairwoman - Board of Directors
Raliegh-Durham Airport
Staying on Top: What Will It Take for the World’s Busiest Airport to Keep Leading?
Hartsfield-Jackson has maintained its position at the center of the global aviation system for decades. As ATL enters its next chapter, this conversation will explore what it will take to preserve that leadership amid continued passenger growth, a major capital program, evolving airline and passenger expectations, and the need to modernize infrastructure and operations without disrupting one of the world’s most complex airport environments. The discussion will also examine where ATL must invest next, how its operating model needs to evolve, and where new approaches to delivery, technology and management could create value.
In Conversation
Ricky Smith
General Manager
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Vik Krishnan
Senior Partner
McKinsey & Company
Who’s in the Room
View all
Program Formats & Networking Opportunities:
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Keynote Addresses
Renowned airport executives and infrastructure leaders will share key insights and success factors for delivering transformative airport projects through public-private partnerships and innovative delivery models.
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Educational Sessions
With 20+ expert-led sessions, the forum offers a deep dive into the most pressing issues in airport infrastructure delivery. Gain fresh perspectives, explore proven strategies, and walk away with actionable insights to guide your planning, procurement, and execution of capital projects.
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Roundtable Discussions
Peer-to-peer learning sessions featuring real-world case studies and best practices designed to help airport and public agency leaders maximize the success of infrastructure projects. These interactive discussions foster candid dialogue around challenges, solutions, and lessons learned—helping participants deliver long-term value through partnership.
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Workshops
Interactive, hands-on sessions where attendees exchange strategies, share technical insights, and collaborate on solutions to real-world challenges in airport planning, procurement, and project delivery.
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Learning Circles
Informal, small-group conversations focused on shared interests in airport development and project delivery. These facilitated gatherings offer a space to ask questions, exchange ideas, and learn from peers facing similar challenges and opportunities.
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Project Forum
Airport owners and public-sector leaders from across the country will share upcoming capital plans, infrastructure priorities, and partnership opportunities. This forum creates a platform for meaningful dialogue between project sponsors and potential private-sector partners to help advance next-generation airport development initiatives.
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Receptions & Breaks
Daily networking receptions and refreshment breaks provide valuable time to connect with airport executives, public officials, developers, and industry advisors. Build relationships, exchange ideas, and discover new opportunities in a relaxed, collaborative setting.
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Exhibit Hall
Showcasing the latest technologies, services, and solutions in airport development, the exhibit hall offers a dynamic space to explore innovative tools, discover new partners, and connect with companies supporting the planning, financing, and delivery of modern aviation infrastructure.
Attendees: Choose Your Registration Type
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$1,395 after Sept 11
Recommended for most participants
- Access to all panels and keynotes
- Access to workshops and exhibitions
- Access to networking sessions
- Access to meal receptions with food and drink
- Access to attendee list
- Access to digital networking platform
- Access to mobile app
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$1,795 after Sept 11
Enhanced access and premium benefits
- Access to all panels and keynotes
- Access to workshops and exhibitions
- Access to networking sessions
- Access to meal receptions with food and drink
- Access to digital networking platform
- Access to mobile app
- Early access to attendee list with contact information (including emails)
- Access to session audio recordings, transcripts, and presentations
- Priority badge collection
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For Public-Sector Airport Reps Only
Access to all benefits
- Access to all panels and keynotes
- Access to workshops and exhibitions
- Access to networking sessions
- Access to meal receptions with food and drink
- Access to attendee list
- Access to digital networking platform
- Access to mobile app
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For Airline Reps Only
Access to all benefits
- Access to all panels and keynotes
- Access to workshops and exhibitions
- Access to networking sessions
- Access to meal receptions with food and drink
- Access to attendee list
- Access to digital networking platform
- Access to mobile app
Sponsorship Recognition
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Airport Development & Investment Conference is made possible by the industry leaders who support it.
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Education Partner
