General Session I: Let’s Move That Needle Forward!

“There is power in the collective.” This statement by Candace S. McGraw, Chair, ACI-NA, during her welcome note at General Session 1 on Monday summed up both ACI-NA’s relationship with its members and the power of the relationships members have with each other. This is an organization that continues to grow its position, she added, because of the positive benefits that airports bring to their communities: through innovation, sustainability and workforce planning.

Joseph W. Lopano, CEO at Tampa International Airport, also welcomed conference attendees. “Just try to enjoy yourself,” he said, as he took a sip of his Spirit of Flight, “our own drink” at TPA, which “just happened” to be sitting on the table next to the podium.  He stressed how important it is for airport directors to have a lot of common sense. “You can observe a lot by watching,” he said, quoting Yogi Berra. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who has been living in and observing Tampa her whole life, agreed. “This city is going to change more in the next decade than it has in my entire lifetime.”

Later, Kevin M. Burke, President and CEO, ACI-NA, took the stage and got everyone’s attention right away with the stats that he shared about passenger growth last year: volume is up 5% and is at 2 billion passengers. “There are no shortages of challenges and opportunities for everyone in this room,” said Burke, our own “Airport Man.”

Burke outlined some of the many successes the industry has seen over the past year, such as real estate and land-use projects and international transport progress. “I’m happy to report, we’ve had a lot of success,” he said. “That’s what I like to do, move that needle forward.” He also mentioned some of the ongoing projects, such as infrastructure needs, security, congestion, connectivity, security staffing shortfalls, biometric programs, drones, napping pods and sensory spaces. And while some of these may seem like small changes, they equate to airports addressing innovation and ingenuity, he said. He contributes the successes to the people in the industry who are willing to step up. “You, folks, are the reason for our success.”

And, in closing, he enthused: “I only have one gear, and it is forward. Let’s get to work!” 

Click here to read ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin Burke’s full state of the industry address.