PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (March 25, 2008) The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) this week released the official program of the upcoming Airport Conference of the Americas, scheduled for July 20 to 22 2008 in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.
Co-sponsored by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Princess Juliana International Airport, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the South Central Chapter/AAAE and the International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE), the conference will bring together airport executives, aviation vendors/consultants and government officials from throughout the Western Hemisphere to discuss challenges such as Safety Management System integration, natural disaster recovery and safety and security. In one venue, airport and government officials and industry suppliers will be able to network with colleagues from the Caribbean and Latin America. The accompanying table-top trade show will be the best opportunity for suppliers to showcase products and services for airports in this region. The event will be held at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
“We chose St. Maarten for the venue of our July conference, because we wanted a location that people would want to come to and that was at the same time strategically located,” said Ms. Joan Lowden, AAAE’s Senior Vice President Communications. “The new airport terminal building is fantastic and Sonesta Maho Resort has very good conference facilities, located not too far from the airport; we found so much more on the island than we anticipated. The real challenge will be to get the attendees to actually come to the daily meetings, because the island offers so many things to do.”
Drs. Eugene Holiday, President of the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company (PJIAE) NV extended invitations to airport executives from the Caribbean and the wider Western Hemisphere to attend the conference and enjoy genuine St. Maarten hospitality. “AAAE conferences are worthwhile events to attend; they provide second-to-none opportunities for aviation professionals. Combined with the fact that St. Maarten is known the world around as “The Friendly Island”, one can only expect a topnotch gathering when PJIAE hosts the July conference. It’s definitely a pleasure to extend an invitation to fellow airport officials,” he said.
AAAE Vice President Ms. Lowden said the conference will be a perfect opportunity for officials from U.S. airports, airlines and aviation companies, as well as Caribbean and Latin American airport and aviation executives, government officials, aviation consultants and vendors involved in any aspect of aviation.
“Airport Executives, come and hear experts discuss solutions to challenges you face every day, meet airport and government officials from the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America and see table-top exhibits with the latest in services/equipment from airport vendors—all in one location. Airport Vendors/Consultants; come meet airport/government officials from dozens of Caribbean and Latin American countries, display your products and learn how the U.S. government can assist in selling your product to airports throughout the Americas. Exhibitors and sponsors may attend one-on-one meetings with officials from the non-U.S. delegations,” she urged. “This event is designed to provide business executives with an edge in developing meaningful working relationships in the important Caribbean/Latin American airport/aviation market. As a result, if your company wants to expand its business markets in this region, you need to be there.”
About PJIAE:
Following a US$ 118.6 million investment program, executed between 1998 and 2006, PJIAE has ultra-modern, state-of-the-art facilities: an ATC Tower and Radar Facility which was commissioned in 2004, and a new, 27,000m2 terminal building, which was officially opened in 2006. There are approximately 1,000 people employed at the airport of which 270 directly by PJIAE. PJIA plays a central role in the economy of St. Maarten and functions as a premier gateway for the surrounding islands. PJIAE caters to an average of 1.6 million passengers and approximately 200 scheduled and charter flights a day from the Caribbean, Europe, North, Central and South America.
About AAAE:
The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and its internal service organization, the Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) is the largest civilian clearinghouse in the US, processing both Criminal History Record Checks (CHRC) and name-based background vetting requests for the aviation community. AAAE sponsors over 80 specialty workshops and conferences each year, held all over the world.
Princess Juliana International Airport operating company N.V.
Simpson Bay, St. Maarten
Drs. E. B. Holiday
President