HOUSTON - The 19th Annual AMAC Economic Opportunity and Policy Forum serves as the ideal “flight plan” for minority-owned companies seeking business opportunities with airports throughout the United States. The “flight plan” includes leadership development workshops and policy discussions that address urgent industry concerns. The Houston Airport System, the lead host of this forum, is partnering with the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity for this significant conference. The forum will be held at the Hilton Americas on December 2 to 4, 2012. The forum theme is Southwest Region Airports—Fueling Business Opportunities That Take You Global!
The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) serves as the nation’s only non-profit trade organization dedicated to promoting the full participation of Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Small Business enterprises (M/W/DBE/S) in airport contracting and employment opportunities. AMAC assists airports and their business partners in achieving diversity goals that are mandated by federal regulations and in doing so help airport management become closer to the community in which it serves.
“Airports are economic engines not just for the cities in which they are located, but for entire regions,” says Mario Diaz, director of the Houston Airport System. “Our Houston airports—like most around the U.S.—are busier each year, both in passengers and cargo. In short, there are plenty of business opportunities for M/W/DBE/S contractors and suppliers. This year’s forum in Houston will be an ideal setting for new partnerships to begin developing.”
Features speakers of the forum are Bob Montgomery, vice president of airport affairs for Southwest Airlines, and Leland Melvin, associate administrator for education for NASA and retired astronaut.
“The widely-held Regional Business Matchmaking Forum will connect M/W/DBE/S with prime contractors and airports for one-on-one meetings to discuss upcoming subcontracting, potential partnerships and $100 million worth of procurement opportunities,” says Carlecia Wright, director of the City of Houston Business Opportunity. Register for the conference online by Oct. 10, and receive the early bird discount at www.cvent.com/d/ncqw1b/4W.
Proceeds from this conference will support the on-going AMAC program initiatives and provide scholarships, career awareness and leadership development opportunities for students aimed at increasing more minorities and women representation in the airport industry through the AMAC Education and Scholarship Program. The forum will provide opportunities for local high school seniors to learn about careers in the aviation industry and offer college scholarships through its AMAC Education and Scholarship Program—Project Lift.
For information about the Airport Minority Advisory Council, go to www.amac-org.com or call 703-414-2622.