Women and minorities have been a part of aviation since the beginning, and are succeeding today in nearly every aviation occupation. The Port of Seattle is working to increase the diversity of those participating in the aviation industry by sponsoring the 34th Annual Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Airport Business Diversity Conference at the Westin Seattle, August 21 – 23.
This highly acclaimed conference brings together nearly 1,000 businesses, aviation professionals, government officials and individuals from around the country to discuss a variety of subjects ranging from how to do business at airports to educating, advocating and networking opportunities in the industry.
“We are determined that the growth in the aviation industry benefits all communities and that the aviation industry be as diverse as the people it serves,” said Commission President Courtney Gregoire. “That means ensuring that women, minority-owned, and disadvantaged businesses have the same opportunities to compete for business and that women, minorities, and disadvantaged workers know about and have the same opportunities to train for career opportunities in the aviation industry.”
Key attractions include successful women in aviation such as Deborah Flint, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA); Rochelle L. Cameron, CEO of Philadelphia International Airport; Roxy Rolle, VP of Operations and General Counsel at Western Air, the largest privately-owned airline in The Bahamas. Like many industries, they continue to not reach the executive levels of the field at the same rate as men. Women make up just 7 percent of pilots, 2.3 percent of mechanics, 79 percent of flight attendants, and 4 percent of flight engineers.
Some key highlights of the conference include:
Tuesday, August 21 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Raisbeck Aviation High School and the Museum of Flight
100 area youth will learn about careers in aviation, airport operations, aerospace and skilled trades from area airport directors, plus hands-on career panels focused on:
- BUILD: a parachute building challenge using two vertical wind tunnels and assorted supplies;
- FLY: plan a short flight from Boeing Field to Paine Field with help from pilots with Mesa Airlines, the Latino Pilots Association, Boeing, and Cape Air.
- LAUNCH: a pilot and member of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, as part of Suited for Space program to help students learn about air pressure and suit design.
- OPERATE: learn how to prioritize work-related tasks from an engineer with Blue Origin.
Thursday, August 23 at Westin Seattle
Celebrating Women in Aviation Breakfast | 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Grand Ballroom
- Network and hear about the personal and professional experiences of other women in the business, how they got there, and what it takes to excel in the industry.
Airport Director’s 20/20 Vision Forum | 10:15 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Cascade Ballroom
- Aviation Directors from four Puget Sound region airports (Sea-Tac, Pain Field, Renton Municipal, and King County) and around the country will inform the audience about the future of airports and the aviation industry from their perspective.
Additional program information can be found here.
Contact
Perry Cooper
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
(206) 787-4923 | cooper.p@portseattle.org
