79th Annual SWAAAE Summer Conference program
Saturday, July 19
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Board of Directors Meeting + Lunch
3:15 pm to 4:15 pm
Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
Board of Directors and Conference Committee Dinner (By Invitation Only)
Sunday, July 20
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Leadership Development Workshop - Elevate your Career: Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for Career Success (Separate Registration Required)
This workshop is tailored to help seasoned professionals and industry newcomers create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to guide their career path, fostering personal and professional growth. Learn more about this workshop here.11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Todd McNamee Past President's Golf Tournament (Separate Registration Required)
Registration required via the conference registration form (limited club rentals available first come, first served). Guests and non-members not planning to attend the full conference are welcome to register!
Tijeras Creek Golf Club
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Registration Open
Stop by registration to pick up your name badge and conference materials. Conference information will be accessible via the conference app.
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Exhibitor Set-Up
4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Mentor and Ambassador Meetup
Meet your paired mentor prior to the meet and greet event.
5:00 pm to 6:00 pmMichael A. Shutt YoPro, New Attendee & Mentor Meet and Greet
First time attendees, new SWAAAE members and young professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend to meet and network with others before the conference officially kicks off.
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Welcome Reception
8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
After Hours Networking Event
Monday, July 21
7:00 am to 8:00 am
Morning Mavericks
7:45 am to 3:30 pm
Registration
7:45 am to 8:30 am
Hot Breakfast with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity
8:30 am to 9:00 am
Conference Opening Ceremonies
Conference Chair: Komal Kumar, Assistant Airport Director, John Wayne Airport
SWAAAE President: Courtney Johnson, C.M., C.A.E., Director of Airports, County of San Luis Obispo
AAAE Leadership
9:00 am to 10:15 am
Keynote Session
10:15 am to 11:00 am
Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
SWAAAE General Membership Meeting + AAAE Elections
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Lunch on your own
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Student/YoPro Lunch
Invitations to participate in this lunch will be sent via email and a ticket will be required to attend. We look forward to connecting student attendees with industry YoPros in an intimate and meaningful way over lunch!
1:30 pm to 2:15 pm
General Session A
2:15 pm to 3:00 pm
Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways
3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
General Session B: JWA Noise & Access Program Overview and Land Use Encroachment
John Wayne Airport will present the most stringent noise and access program in the U.S. Nearly every community points to JWA as an example of what they would like, so it will be a great presentation to truly understand and be fully informed on this program. We will then change gears and discuss the land use encroachment many airports are experiencing that put in jeopardy their viability to continue operating an efficient and effective airport. Sacramento County Aviation Department will present how they have protected their airports from encroachment and Las Vegas may (not confirmed) discuss the issues they continue to face with land use around Harry Reid International Airport.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the JWA Noise & Access Program and better discuss with their communities why that is not an option available to most other airports
- Understand the critical issues associated with land use encroachment around airports
- Discuss with their airport management how to potentially protect from land use encroachment
Moderator: Gene Reindel, Vice President, HMMH
4:15 pm to 5:00 pm
Corporate Membership Meeting + Board Elections
This meeting is open to all SWAAAE Corporate members to attend.
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Dinner on your own
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Monday Night Networking Event
10:00 pm to 11:00 pm
After Hours Networking
Tuesday, July 22
7:00 am to 8:00 am
Morning Mavericks
7:45 am to 8:30 am
Hot Breakfast with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity
8:30 am to 3:15 pm
Registration
8:45 am to 10:00 am
Session C1: Part 139: The Very Edge of Certification
Join us for panel discussion on the challenges Airports face when the market necessitates a shift in Part 139 Certification. This dynamic discussion will explore Part 139 Certification, Limited Certificates, and when to inactivate. We will explore innovative strategies Airports have used to maintain or shift their Part 139 status.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand the different types of FAA Part 139 Certification. Establish a metric for when to evaluate their current Part 139 status. When and how to communicate certification change to your governing body. Understand what the implications for staffing, training, and funding are for the different certifications.
Session C2
10:00 am to 10:45 am
Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways
10:45 am to 12:00 pm
Session D1
Session D2
12:00 am to 1:30 pm
Lunch on your own
1:30 pm to 2:45 pm
Session E1: ALP Decoded: Navigating the Levels of Airport Layout Plan Updates
Airport Layout Plans (ALPs) are the blueprint for airport development—but knowing when and how to update them can be confusing. Is a pen-and-ink revision enough, or does your project require a full formal update? How do you avoid surprises during FAA review? In this session, we'll break down the different levels of ALP updates, explain how to align your planning with FAA expectations, and provide practical tips for navigating the process efficiently. Whether you're dealing with a minor geometry tweak or a major capital improvement, understanding the right update path can save you time, money, and frustration.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the different types of ALP updates and when each is appropriate.
- Understand FAA requirements and how to coordinate updates with your ADO or regional office.
- Learn the role of ALPs in airport development, grant funding, and compliance.
- Walk through real examples of pen-and-ink revisions vs. full ALP updates.
- Get tips for successful documentation and communication to streamline the FAA review process.
Session E2: Energy Forecasting in a Transitional Age
Airports identifying or transitioning their energy infrastructure to be more self-sufficient, resilient, and/or less carbon intensive.Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Develop an action plan to move forward with their energy transition goals.
- Understand the challenges and opportunities of transitioning an airport’s energy infrastructure.
Moderator: Taylor Tremain, Senior Aviation Planner, WSP
Speakers:
Erin Cooke, ENV SP, Sustainability + Environmental Policy Director, San Francisco International Airport
Auden Kaehler, Senior Vice President, Manager, Advisory Services, U.S., WSP
2:45 pm to 3:30 pm
Break
3:30 pm to 4:45 pm
Session F1: Reversion - Maintaining Compliance and Civility
Reversionary rights including FAA policy, industry best practices, related legal issues, and the variety of options airport sponsors have to effectively deal with the issue.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- More fully understand the concept of reversionary rights and its legal implications
- Have a greater understanding of FAA policy related to reversionary rights
- How reversion relates to permanent vs non-permanent improvements
- How to develop and implement a best practices approach to managing reversionary rights
- How to effectively deal with the politics of reversion
Moderator: Katherine Bales, MBA, C.M., C.A.E., Assistant Airport Manager, Napa County Airport
Speakers:
Robert Trimborn, C.M, C.A.E., Senior Consultant, Aviation Management Consulting Group
Session F2: Keeping Aviation Alive: a Case Study
4:45 pm to 5:00 pm
Conference Wrap Up and Exhibitor Bingo Card Giveaway Grand Drawing
Must be present to win!
6:00 pm to 6:45 pm
Cocktail Reception
6:45 pm to 8:30 pm
President’s Banquet + Awards Ceremony
8:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Dessert Reception
Wednesday, July 23
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Winter Conference Committee Planning Meeting
All volunteers interested in serving on the 2026 Winter Conference Planning Committee are encouraged to attend this planning kick-off meeting. All are welcome, and it is a great way to get involved in the Chapter!
*Program is subject to change