More than 300 aviation professionals, airport leaders, and business partners gathered at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes Feb. 11-13, 2026, for the annual South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA) Conference. This year’s theme, The Business of Aviation, highlighted the strategic, operational, and economic impact of airports across the state.
A major feature of the conference was Breakout Education, divided into two tracks — Commercial Service and General Aviation — allowing attendees to participate in sessions suited to the type of airport they serve. Breakout Education included participation from the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC) and various airports across the state, such as Greenville-Spartanburg International, Columbia Metropolitan, Myrtle Beach International, Hilton Head Island, Charleston International, Florence Regional, McCormick County, Greenville Downtown Airport, Bamberg County, Anderson Regional, Spartanburg Downtown Memorial, and others.
Event and education highlights included:
- Legislative Fireside Chat – Featuring Rep. Heather Crawford, House Transportation Subcommittee Chair, and James Stephens, SCAA President
- Legislative Reception Preview – Featuring SCAA Lobbyist Ben Homeyer
- South Carolina Aeronautics Commission annual update – A comprehensive review of statewide aviation initiatives and priorities.
- General sessions:
- State of Aerospace – Gary Siegfried, SCAC; Bradley P. Van Dam, AAAE
- Hangar Valuation Panel – Zach DeVeau, Kimley Horn; Ryan Maxfield, Vantage Aviation; Gary Siegfried, SCAC
- Aviation Education Program Panel – Sebastian A. Van Delden, Winthrop University; Kevin Kyzer, ACES Flight School; Mark Bunch, Marion County School District; Michael Stone, Marion County School District; Charles Taylor, Marion County Airport; moderated by Hunter Boniface, Parrish & Partners
- Keynote: YOU. In the Pilot’s Seat, presented by Elizabeth McCormick.
- Keynote: Leading Through Adversity, presented by Anton Gunn.
- 2025 Airport Project of the Year Awards:
- McCormick County Airport – Airport Grading Project
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport – Checkpoint Modernization
- Golf tournament and silent auction – Events supporting the SCAA Scholarship Program to help develop the next generation of aviation professionals.
“This year was a perfect mix of education and inspiration as we focused on what our members needed most from our sessions and speakers. It really drove home our theme and helped prepare attendees for the full year ahead,” said James Stephens, SCAA President.
SCAA extends its gratitude to the speakers, sponsors, and attendees who made this event a success. SCAA remains committed to supporting South Carolina’s airports, professionals, and aviation industry through advocacy, education, and collaboration.
