Alexandria, VA— The national conference of the Airport Minority Advisory Council and the Federal Aviation Administration, hosted by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority from June 14-17 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill is expected to draw a national audience who will hear from a wide array of private and public sector distinguished speakers.

The meeting, known as the "Airport Business Diversity Conference", will bring airport and government officials, and large, medium and small businesses together with experts in the aviation industry. Scheduled speakers during the conference include: Secretary of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater; Tavis Smiley, Host of BET TONIGHT; Congressman James Clyburn, (D) South Carolina; Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) Illinois; James Brough, Chair, Airports Council International-North America; Loretta Scott, incoming Chair, American Association of Airport Executives; Mary Rose Loney, Commissioner of Aviation of Chicago O'Hare International Airport; and senior managers from such national firms as Sverdrup Aviation, Parsons Aviation, Bechtel Corporation, Burger King Corporation, Bell South Public Communications, Inc. And Netscape Communications Corporation.

The four-day conference will provide opportunities for networking, exposure and education for those interested in pursuing business and professional opportunities in the aviation industry. A range of topics such as:

  • Business Management Training for Service Professionals;
  • Business Management Training for Concessionaires and Retailers;
  • Contract Negotiations --Rights, Risks and Rewards;
  • Legal and Legislative Issues;
  • International Business;
  • Leveraging Technology to Enhance Your Competitive Edge, will be discussed.

At this conference, the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) will celebrate its tenth anniversary. Created to increase the participation of minorities and women in aviation industry business and employment, AMAC has been at the forefront of national policy initiatives related to the U.S. Department of Transportation airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. Since its inception in 1988, AMAC has actively participated in the development of laws, regulations and policies to enhance DBE participation at U.S. airports. As a result of these collective efforts, minority and women-owned businesses are participating in procurement and concession contracts at nearly every major airport in the U.S.

At Washington's two airports alone, minority and women-owned concessions had total gross receipts of $51 million in fiscal year 1997 as a result of doing business at Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airports. In addition, the Airports Authority awarded over $38 million in goods and services and construction contracts to these firms.

For information about the Airport Business Diversity Conference, the public may call the AMAC headquarters at (703) 548-8806.

The Media is invited to attend the conference. Any inquiries should be directed to Nancy West at (703) 417-8740.

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