Peter Bergen
CNN National Security Analyst/Author

One of the few Westerners to interview Osama bin Laden face-to-face, Peter Bergen is a print and television journalist, documentary producer, and the author of four books, three of which were New York Times bestsellers and were named books of the year by the Washington Post. The books have been translated into twenty languages. He is the director of the national security studies program at the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C.; a fellow at Fordham University’s Center on National Security and CNN’s national security analyst. He has held teaching positions at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Bergen has reported on al-Qaeda, Afghanistan, Pakistan, counterterrorism, homeland security and countries around the Middle East for a range of American newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Foreign Affairs, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, TIME, The Nation, The National Interest, Mother Jones, Newsweek, Washington Times and Vanity Fair. He is a contributing editor at The New Republic and writes a weekly column for CNN.com. His story on extraordinary rendition for Mother Jones was part of a package of stories nominated for a 2008 National Magazine Award. He has also written for newspapers and magazines around the world such as The Guardian, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, International Herald Tribune, Prospect, El Mundo, La Repubblica, The National, Der Spiegel and Die Welt. And he has worked as a correspondent or producer for multiple documentaries that have aired on National Geographic, Discovery and CNN. Bergen has a M.A. in Modern History from New College, Oxford University.

Just because you're at a conference doesn't mean the world stops. This section will feature the latest industry news so you don't miss a beat while networking with old friends and new connections.

OPINION - The Abraham Lincoln-Thomas Jefferson Airport Act Of 2016: No one on the left or right credibly denies that much of America’s aging infrastructure is crumbling or outdated. The sticky question, as is so often the case with such issues, is not whether or not more needs to be done but how to pay for it. Read more

DOT debates access for disabled in plane restrooms, entertainment, animals: Disabled travelers who depend on wheelchairs say it's so difficult to use restrooms on many airplanes that they dehydrate themselves for a cross-country trip or avoid flying entirely. Some relief could be on the way as the Transportation Department considers this week the most sweeping rule revisions in 30 years to make airlines — now exempt from the Americans with Disabilities Act — more accommodating to passengers with limited mobility. Read more

Orlando airport hits new passenger record of 41 million: Orlando International Airport again expanded its ceiling for record number of passengers, with 41 million departing and arriving fliers going through the airport between July of this year and July 2015. That's a 10 percent increase from a year ago. Read more

New and adjusted flights at Tampa International Airport: WestJet, a Canadian airline, is testing out a new direct route between St. John's International Airport and Tampa International Airport next spring. It's one of several new or adjusted routes coming to Tampa International Airport over the next several months that involve flights to Panama, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Akron-Canton, Ohio. Read more

Allegiant Air to reach leisure travelers on Newark routes: Allegiant Air’s service to Newark, launching in November, is an attempt to reach what COO Jude Bricker said is the "top leisure destination" in the U.S. — New York City. Read more

Southwest developing new res system to include foreign sales: Dallas-based Southwest Airlines’ international expansion could take it to Canada, and an executive for the company did not rule out eventual transatlantic flights. Read more

Orlando airport to open USO Welcome Center: The Orlando International Airport is officially opening a USO Welcome Center today for the hundreds of thousands of military members, veterans and their families who visit Central Florida annually. Read more

SeaPort Airlines shuts down, faces liquidation: SeaPort Airlines has flown its final flight. The tiny commuter airline launched in 2008 with flights between Portland, Ore., and Seattle. Read more

The 2016 ACI-NA/World Annual Conference/World Annual General Assembly is the aviation industry event you don’t want to miss, featuring many opportunities to network with industry professionals from across the globe. This conference also provides a chance for attendees to gather in Montréal and learn about the latest updates in aviation that will impact the airport industry in North America.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to explore our expansive trade show floor to see the latest technology in the industry.

Be sure to tweet comments and photos leading up to the 2016 ACI-NA/World Annual Conference/World Annual General Assembly. Mention@airportscouncil and use the hashtag #airports16

To enhance your conference experience, we are excited to introduce the ACI-NA Conferences app! 

Available to all registered attendees, the ACI-NA Conferences app engages attendees and gives them the latest annual conference information on their smartphones and tablets. Search the participant list, connect with attendees, customize your agenda, and much more. This year’s mobile app is sponsored by The Hudson Group.

Check out the full 2016 ACI-NA/World Annual Conference/World Annual General Assembly agenda here. 

Crisis Communication – the World Is Watching: The public’s fascination with aviation, a global news cycle that never ends, and the emergence of the citizen – or passenger – journalist have complicated traditional airport crisis response plans. Facing an incredible challenge like never before, airports must respond quickly and effectively to security incidents, accidents and other disruptions while maintaining public confidence to strengthen their reputation. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from airport CEOs who have successfully led their airports through crisis in the middle of a media storm on issues that command international attention.

How Digital Is Transforming the Airport Industry: In the global marketplace, the most successful airports have embraced "business intelligence" to help improve the passenger experience, maximize operational efficiency and increase revenue. Passengers are constantly connected with smartphones, and as such, passengers are demanding an increased level of personalized service. Adopting a digital approach can be used to optimize and increase capacity of existing facilities and lower operational expenditure. Make sure you are taking advantage of your data to better serve your customers, avoid disruptions and increase revenue. 

Breaking Down the Silos in Safety: Airports are complex operating environments involving multiple stakeholder groups--airlines, general aviation, ground handlers, terminal tenants, air navigation service providers and airport staff. Although safety is a top concern for all of these groups, in most cases each of them brings their corporate cultures, policies, procedures, training programs, and performance metrics with them to the airport. How can airport operators and their stakeholder partners work to break down these "silos" and make their safety programs more effective and holistic? In this session we’ll discuss some of the cross industry initiatives that key operator groups are undertaking to do this. 

Respond to New and Emerging Security Threats: In responding to dynamic security challenges, airports work on a daily basis in close coordination with regulators and security authorities such as TSA and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. Considering the evolving threat environment, it is essential to leverage industry/government partnerships, work collaboratively and assess what countermeasures and technologies may be necessary to respond to threats while working to maximize efficiency. Innovation is critical given the unique geographic and operational differences between airports. This session will provide an opportunity to gain a global view from ICAO and talk directly with senior TSA and CATSA representatives about strategies to enhance the security of the aviation system.

The latest issue of Centerlines, ACI-NA’s flagship magazine, hit mailboxes a couple of weeks ago. Each topic and article was carefully selected to position 2016 annual conference attendees ahead of the curve. Read the articles below or stop by registration to pick up a copy! 

Shattering the Glass Ceiling – A Look at the Industry’s Leading Women: Women in today’s airport industry are flying higher, thanks in part to an inspiring generation of women who are leading their airports into the future.

Building for the Future with an Eye on Customer Service: Airports must take special care to ensure a positive passenger experience during construction.

Weathering the Advancing Storm: Airports rely on experience, technology, and communications as winter conditions approach.

An Airport Full of Joie de Vivre: A transformed airport is the venue for the 2016 ACI-NA/World annual conference and ICAO assembly.

Use Data to Make a Difference: Leverage data from airport economic impact studies to help win public support for projects and initiatives.

Airport Security: Aviation security and TSA have been under increased scrutiny lately, and updated security measures are here.

Improving Passenger Screening Time: CVG’s security screening process sees a complete overhaul.