The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) recently announced that Rick Crider, A.A.E., executive vice president and port general manager of Port San Antonio, Texas, will serve as chair of AAAE’s 2015 National Airports Conference (NAC).
The NAC is one of AAAE’s signature meetings and is expected to attract more than 300 attendees. This year, it will be hosted by Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport on Sept. 20-22, and will be held at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa.
Kelly Campbell, A.A.E., executive director of Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Texas, will be vice chair of the 2015 NAC. Campbell started working for the airport in 2001.
“NAC is such a unique event and a special gathering of industry professionals; I am truly honored to Chair this year’s meeting, and very excited to work again with Kelly Campbell and a fantastic planning committee,” Crider said. “With Savannah as our host community, rich with warm southern hospitality, I am certain that we can build upon the successes and momentum of the Portland meeting and do great things.”
As chair of the NAC, Crider leads a volunteer committee of 38 aviation industry professionals to develop the conference program. He was vice chair of the 2014 NAC and has several decades of experience in the airport industry.
“The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is pleased to host the 2015 NAC. This is the first time the NAC will be held in Savannah. We are committed to making this one of your most enjoyable airport conferences ever,” said Greg Kelly, executive director of the Savannah Airport Commission. “Savannah is a fun place to visit. You will want to take this opportunity to explore one of the few southern cities unscathed by General Sherman during the Civil War. We appreciate AAAE and its membership for selecting us to host this conference. We will deliver…you won’t want to miss it!”
The NAC offers speakers and panel topics that address the need of airport officials for strategies that work in today’s aviation marketplace. The conference features a small group discussion format, which allows participants to discuss and debate numerous technical and management topics in an informal setting. Officials from the TSA, FAA and airport and aviation industries traditionally participate in the sessions.
