Inaugural AAAE Airport Diversity Summit ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ Coming To Little Rock

Alexandria, Va. – 2012-10-9 — /travelprnews.com/ — Creating and enhancing diversity in airports and their communities will be the focus of the inaugural Pathway to Prosperity Summit, November 14-16, 2012, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The summit, hosted by Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, will bring together airport and community leaders along with executives from minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs). Airports that receive federal funding are required to participate in the Department of Transportation’s DBE program. The program is a key driver in both airport and local economic development plans, giving opportunities to businesses that, because of their size or status, may not otherwise be able to participate in airport projects.

“A successful airport must serve the entire community including all the diverse members of the business community,” said Ron Mathieu, C.M., executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. “The goal of this summit is to educate airports on how to run a robust DBE program as well as identify the right opportunities for qualified businesses to engage in the program.”

The event will commence with a Wednesday night welcome reception at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum and continue with one and a half days of panels and educational sessions led by industry experts and thought leaders. The summit will take place at the Double Tree by Hilton Little Rock Hotel.

For more information on the summit, visit the official event website at http://ow.ly/dRLlx or contact AAAE Director, Training & Business Development Starla Bryant, CCA, at (703) 824-0500, Ext. 173 or starla.bryant@aaae.org.

# # #

ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE (www.aaae.org) is the world’s largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE’s 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.

CONTACT:
Sean Broderick, AAAE External Communications
sean.broderick@aaae.org
O: (703) 824-0500, Ext. 126
M: (703) 919-6873

Connect with AAAE on these social media platforms:
AAAE on Twitter
AAAE on Facebook

###