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79th Annual SWAAAE Summer Conference program

Saturday, July 19


12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Patio Room

Board of Directors Meeting + Lunch


3:15 pm to 4:15 pm

Patio Room

Foundation Board of Directors Meeting


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Muldoon's Irish Pub

Board of Directors and Conference Committee Dinner (By Invitation Only)

Muldoon's Irish Pub: 202 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Sunday, July 20


9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Patio Room

Leadership Development Workshop - Elevate your Career: Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for Career Success (Separate Registration Required)

This workshop is tailored to help seasoned professionals and industry newcomers create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to guide their career path, fostering personal and professional growth. Learn more about this workshop here.


11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Tijeras Creek Golf Club

Todd McNamee Past President's Golf Tournament (Separate Registration Required)

Registration required via the conference registration form (limited club rentals available first come, first served). Guests and non-members not planning to attend the full conference are welcome to register!
Tijeras Creek Golf Club: 29082 Tijeras Crk, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Plaza Arbor

Registration Open

Stop by registration to pick up your name badge and conference materials. Conference information will be accessible via the conference app.

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Plaza Arbor

Exhibitor Set-Up


4:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Oasis Court

Mentor and Ambassador Meetup

Meet your paired mentor prior to the meet and greet event.

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Oasis Court

Michael A. Shutt YoPro, New Attendee & Mentor Meet and Greet

First time attendees, new SWAAAE members and young professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend to meet and network with others before the conference officially kicks off.

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Oasis Court

Welcome Reception 


8:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Pacific Patio Firepit

After Hours Networking Event

Monday, July 21


7:00 am to 8:00 am

Morning Mavericks - Walk


7:45 am to 3:30 pm

Plaza Arbor

Registration


7:45 am to 8:30 am

Plaza Arbor

Hot Breakfast with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity


8:30 am to 9:00 am

Plaza Ballroom

Conference Opening Ceremonies

Conference Chair: Komal Kumar, Assistant Airport Director, John Wayne Airport

SWAAAE President: Courtney Johnson, C.M., C.A.E., Director of Airports, County of San Luis Obispo
AAAE Leadership


9:00 am to 10:15 am

Plaza Ballroom

Keynote Session


10:15 am to 11:00 am

Plaza Arbor

Break with Exhibitors + OC Animal Allies


11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Plaza Ballroom

SWAAAE General Membership Meeting + AAAE Elections


12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Lunch on your own


12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Student/YoPro Lunch

Invitations to participate in this lunch will be sent via email and a ticket will be required to attend. We look forward to connecting student attendees with industry YoPros in an intimate and meaningful way over lunch!


1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Plaza Ballroom

General Session A


2:15 pm to 3:00 pm

Plaza Arbor

Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways


3:00 pm to 4:15 pm

Plaza Ballroom

General Session B: JWA Noise & Access Program Overview and Land Use Encroachment

John Wayne Airport will present the most stringent noise and access program in the U.S. Nearly every community points to JWA as an example of what they would like, so it will be a great presentation to truly understand and be fully informed on this program. We will then change gears and discuss the land use encroachment many airports are experiencing that put in jeopardy their viability to continue operating an efficient and effective airport. Sacramento County Aviation Department will present how they have protected their airports from encroachment and Las Vegas may (not confirmed) discuss the issues they continue to face with land use around Harry Reid International Airport.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the JWA Noise & Access Program and better discuss with their communities why that is not an option available to most other airports
  • Understand the critical issues associated with land use encroachment around airports
  • Discuss with their airport management how to potentially protect from land use encroachment

Moderator: Gene Reindel, Vice President, HMMH

4:15 pm to 5:00 pm

Patio Room

Corporate Membership Meeting + Board Elections

This meeting is open to all SWAAAE Corporate members to attend.


5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Dinner on your own


7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Splitsville Downtown Disney

Monday Night Networking Event

More info to come!

Splitsville Downtown Disney: 1530 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802


10:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Pacific Patio Firepit

After Hours Networking

Tuesday, July 22


7:00 am to 8:00 am

Morning Mavericks - Yoga


7:45 am to 8:30 am

Plaza Arbor

Hot Breakfast with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity


8:30 am to 3:15 pm

Plaza Arbor

Registration


8:45 am to 10:00 am

Plaza Ballroom

Session C1: Part 139: The Very Edge of Certification

Join us for panel discussion on the challenges Airports face when the market necessitates a shift in Part 139 Certification. This dynamic discussion will explore Part 139 Certification, Limited Certificates, and when to inactivate. We will explore innovative strategies Airports have used to maintain or shift their Part 139 status.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand the different types of FAA Part 139 Certification. Establish a metric for when to evaluate their current Part 139 status. When and how to communicate certification change to your governing body. Understand what the implications for staffing, training, and funding are for the different certifications.


Plaza Ballroom

Session C2


10:00 am to 10:45 am

Plaza Arbor

Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways


10:45 am to 12:00 pm

Plaza Ballroom

Session D1


Plaza Ballroom

Session D2


12:00 am to 1:30 pm

Lunch on your own


1:30 pm to 2:45 pm

Plaza Ballroom

Session E1: ALP Decoded: Navigating the Levels of Airport Layout Plan Updates

Airport Layout Plans (ALPs) are the blueprint for airport development—but knowing when and how to update them can be confusing. Is a pen-and-ink revision enough, or does your project require a full formal update? How do you avoid surprises during FAA review? In this session, we'll break down the different levels of ALP updates, explain how to align your planning with FAA expectations, and provide practical tips for navigating the process efficiently. Whether you're dealing with a minor geometry tweak or a major capital improvement, understanding the right update path can save you time, money, and frustration.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the different types of ALP updates and when each is appropriate.
  • Understand FAA requirements and how to coordinate updates with your ADO or regional office.
  • Learn the role of ALPs in airport development, grant funding, and compliance.
  • Walk through real examples of pen-and-ink revisions vs. full ALP updates.
  • Get tips for successful documentation and communication to streamline the FAA review process.


Plaza Ballroom

Session E2: Energy Forecasting in a Transitional Age

Airports identifying or transitioning their energy infrastructure to be more self-sufficient, resilient, and/or less carbon intensive.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Develop an action plan to move forward with their energy transition goals.
  • Understand the challenges and opportunities of transitioning an airport’s energy infrastructure.

Moderator: Taylor Tremain, Senior Aviation Planner, WSP

Speakers:

Erin Cooke, ENV SP, Sustainability + Environmental Policy Director, San Francisco International Airport

Auden Kaehler, Senior Vice President, Manager, Advisory Services, U.S., WSP


2:45 pm to 3:30 pm

Plaza Arbor

Break


3:30 pm to 4:45 pm

Plaza Ballroom

Session F1: Reversion - Maintaining Compliance and Civility

Reversionary rights including FAA policy, industry best practices, related legal issues, and the variety of options airport sponsors have to effectively deal with the issue.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • More fully understand the concept of reversionary rights and its legal implications 
  • Have a greater understanding of FAA policy related to reversionary rights 
  • How reversion relates to permanent vs non-permanent improvements 
  • How to develop and implement a best practices approach to managing reversionary rights 
  • How to effectively deal with the politics of reversion 

Moderator: Katherine Bales, ​MBA, C.M., C.A.E., Assistant Airport Manager, ​Napa County Airport

Speakers:

​Robert Trimborn, C.M, C.A.E., Senior Consultant, Aviation Management Consulting Group


Plaza Ballroom

Session F2: Keeping Aviation Alive: a Case Study


4:45 pm to 5:00 pm

Plaza Ballroom

Conference Wrap Up and Exhibitor Bingo Card Giveaway Grand Drawing

Must be present to win!


6:00 pm to 6:45 pm

Patio Room and Patio

Cocktail Reception


6:45 pm to 8:30 pm

Plaza Ballroom

President’s Banquet + Awards Ceremony


8:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Plaza Arbor Main

Dessert Reception

Wednesday, July 23


10:00 am to 11:00 am

Lido Room

Winter Conference Committee Planning Meeting

All volunteers interested in serving on the 2026 Winter Conference Planning Committee are encouraged to attend this planning kick-off meeting. All are welcome, and it is a great way to get involved in the Chapter!


*Program is subject to change


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