Recap: 2nd Annual She SOARS — Women in Aviation Summit | | |
The 2nd Annual She SOARS — Women in Aviation Summit, held September 18–19, 2025, at the Atlanta Marriott Airport Gateway, offered a richly layered program designed to empower women across the aviation sector. Read the recap here.
Over the course of two dynamic days, nearly 400 participants immersed themselves in energizing breakfasts, a compelling keynote address focused on choosing self-confidence & finding your superpower, and hands-on sessions such as She Sets the Agenda, Designing Your Career Journey with Purpose and You’ve Got the Mic! Real Talk with Aviation Executives.
Movement breaks, complimentary massages, manicures and professional headshots offered moments for reflection and self-care. Executives, HR leaders and intergenerational pairs shared candid insights on leadership, sponsorship, negotiation, financial empowerment and the intersection of policy and purpose. Throughout the summit, the focus remained on cultivating authentic leadership, fostering resilience and emphasizing the importance of building meaningful networks—not only as mentees but also as advocates and sponsors for future generations.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the sponsors, volunteers and planning committee members whose dedication and support made the summit a success!
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| ✈️ Renew Today & Get Ready for an Impactful 2026 with AMAC! | | |
As we prepare for an exciting 2026, we invite you to renew your AMAC membership and continue advancing opportunities in aviation together.
Your membership ensures that you remain connected to a powerful network of airport executives, industry leaders and minority- and women-owned businesses committed to creating meaningful impact across the aviation industry.
By renewing, you’ll:
- Stay informed through exclusive industry insights and updates
- Access valuable business development and networking opportunities
- Support AMAC’s advocacy and initiatives that shape the future of aviation
- Be part of programs and events that celebrate and strengthen our community
Don’t miss a moment of what’s ahead in 2026 — renew your membership today and help us take flight into another year of progress, opportunity and impact!
👉 amac-org.com/membership
| | AMAC Advocacy Actions: Democracy Forward | | AMAC Advocacy Actions: Mid-America Milling Company v. U.S. Department of Transportation Case | | AMAC Members: Post RFPS/Jobs to the AMAC Opportunity Center | | |
Featured Jobs & Bids
View these Opportunities and More in the AMAC Opportunity Center!
| | Tonja Pastorelle of Pastorelle Marketing Group and George Mboya of SSP America Join the AMAC Board of Directors | | AMAC is pleased to announce the following appointments to its Board of Directors: Tonja Pastorelle, President/Founder of Pastorelle Marketing Group, as the Midwest/Great Lakes Regional Director, and George Mboya, Interim CEO & Chief Financial Officer of SSP America, as an At-Large Director. | | Annual AMAC Los Angeles Chapter Aviation Excellence & Inclusion Awards Nominations Due October 1 | | |
The nomination period for the AMAC Los Angeles Chapter's Annual Awards is open through October 1, 2025! This event celebrates excellence and recognizes outstanding contributions within our community.
AMAC Los Angeles Chapter members are encouraged to nominate individuals in any of the award categories or companies in the three-starred categories listed on the nomination form. Nominations can be submitted for one or multiple categories, and self-nominations are welcome. Recipients will be honored at the Annual AMAC Los Angeles Chapter Aviation Excellence & Inclusion Awards in November. Submit nominations here.
| | Tee Off for Takeoff: AMAC Los Angeles Chapter Industry Mixer & Fundraiser | | |
Swing into action with the AMAC Los Angeles Chapter's upcoming fundraiser! Join aviation, AEC, concessions, and business leaders for an unforgettable evening filled with big swings, bold connections, and a shared commitment to advancing equity in the aviation industry.
When: October 1, 2025 | 5-7 pm PT | El Segundo, CA
What’s in store:
- Topgolf games and friendly competition
- Delicious food and refreshing drinks
- Trophies, prizes and bragging rights
- Networking opportunities with industry leaders
Don’t miss your chance to connect, compete, and champion progress while having a blast—register or become a sponsor today!
| | AMAC Denver Chapter Exhibits at DEN Business Development & Trade Academy Trade Show | | Left Photo: Christine Rajpal of Abstract Group (Left) and Linda Newcomb Kelly of Zann (Right). | | AMAC Baltimore-Washington, DC Chapter Exhibits & Hosts Mixer at #SynergyBWI Business Networking Event | | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport recently welcomed 330+ attendees to #SynergyBWI Business and Networking Event. This annual event showcases upcoming contracting opportunities to potential vendors. Dozens of airport staff and partners participated in panels and networking in the exhibition hall. If you missed it and hope to do business with the Maryland Aviation Administration, register to receive info about upcoming business events. The AMAC Baltimore-Washington, DC Chapter also exhibited and hosted a networking mixer to promote AMAC membership. | | Vote for DEN in USA Today’s 10 Best Airports Award Contest | | |
Did you know you can vote in USA Today’s 10 Best Airports Award competition every day until October 5, 2025? It couldn’t be easier to cast your vote in the Best Airport for Art, Best Airport for Dining, Best Airport for Shopping and Best Large Airport categories.
Vote for Denver International Airport (DEN) in the 10 Best Awards!
Here's an update on where DEN currently stands in the competition:
- Best Art - Fourth place out of 20
- Best Dining - Second place out of 20
- Best Shopping - Second place out of 20
- Best Large Airport - Third place out of 20
| | The Nourish Spot Provided Concessions at the 2025 US Open | | |
The Nourish Spot, a certified Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), returned to the US Open Tennis Championships as a vendor for a fourth consecutive year. This year marked a special milestone, as the Queens-based, Black woman–owned wellness bar opened its concession on Saturday, August 23, Kids Day — an annual event for kids before the world-renowned tournament kicked off.
Co-founded by Dawn Kelly and her daughter Jade Duncan, The Nourish Spot has become a community staple in Jamaica, Queens, celebrated for offering fresh smoothies, juices, salads, wraps, and healthy eats. From its flagship location in Southeast Queens to the global stage of the US Open, the mother–daughter team continues to showcase the power of local, diverse, and family-led entrepreneurship.
Kelly expressed her excitement: “Being invited back to the US Open is not only a tremendous honor for The Nourish Spot, but also a testament to the resilience and excellence of small, minority- and woman-owned businesses. As an AMAC member and as a mother and daughter team, we are proud to show what diverse entrepreneurs can achieve when given access to opportunities on global stages.”
The Nourish Spot’s growing presence at high-profile venues underscores the importance of AMAC’s mission to advance the full participation of minorities and women in the aviation and concessions industries. Their journey reflects how ACDBE-certified businesses can leverage visibility at major events to expand, inspire, and positively impact their communities.
| | Paradies Lagardère and Plaza Premium Group Partner to Offer Exclusive Wine and Dining Experiences at Vino Volo for Travelers Across North America | | Paradies Lagardère, a leading North American airport restaurateur and retailer, and Plaza Premium Group (PPG), a global leader in airport hospitality, announce a new partnership to expand dining options for travelers through the award-winning wine bar concept Vino Volo. For 20 years, Vino Volo has offered guests the opportunity to explore fine wines from around the globe as well as local craft cocktails and craft beer alongside shareable fare in a relaxed, upscale setting. | | New Airport Dining, Shopping and Parking Options Announced at Board Meeting | | The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority recently announced the first concessions selected for Concourse E, which is now under construction at Dulles International Airport, as well as a new premium parking option that launched in September at Reagan National Airport. | | Denver International Airport Celebrates the Opening of Taos, New Mexico-Inspired Restaurant Santo | | Denver International Airport (DEN) celebrated the opening of Santo on Concourse C. Santo is inspired by chef and owner Hosea Rosenberg’s childhood home in Taos, New Mexico. This restaurant offers a modern twist on Northern New Mexican cuisine, highlighting the vibrant food and drink culture of the region. The menu features classic dishes infused with regional spices, chiles, and cooking techniques, all while focusing on seasonal and locally sourced meats and produce from Colorado. | | Brian Griffin joins Paradies Lagardère as Regional Vice President, Retail Operations – North Region. | | | John Jamison promoted from Chief Financial Officer to President of Paradies Lagardère. | | | Leigh Allan was appointed Senior Vice President of Dining of Paradies Lagardère. | | | |
The State of the American Traveler: September 2025
More than 87% of respondents describe themselves as eager for leisure travel in the year ahead, a level that has held steady through 2025. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans say they have at least one trip planned, a figure that underscores how firmly travel has become a household priority.
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| | | Statement on FAA Funding Regarding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport | | | | |
