The 2024 MAA Conference was a success, with some 225 in attendance – possibly the highest number yet! A strong roster of speakers offered insights useful for the state’s airports in a range of areas, including physical and virtual security, the state’s aerospace and defense future, wetlands issues, venomous snake management, unmanned aircraft systems, funding opportunities and airport research and advocacy. FAA one-on-one meetings also proved to be a beneficial offering once again, and attendees were able to connect with 35 exhibitors representing many aspects of airport support.

Speakers included Brad White, MDOT Executive Director; Keith Turner and Abram Orlansky, Watkins and Eager; Emily Field, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks; Tara Ford, FBI; Madison Dixon, MSU Agricultural Autonomy Institute; Mississippi Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell; Sara Doss, Aerospace and Defense Alliance of Mississippi; Stacey Heaton, Airport Owners and Pilots Association; Mike Forster, Louisville-Winston County Airport Board; Mike Hainsey, Airport Cooperative Research Program; Josh Stubbs, MDOT Aeronautics and Rails; Will Schuller, FAA; Jeff Wagner, Baker Donelson and Kim Jackson, TSA. Many of their presentations can be found on our website HERE.

Several events offered opportunities for networking, catching up and having fun. A pre-conference golf tournament and reception led things off on Wednesday. Thursday’s lunch featured Matt Wyatt, sports commentator and analyst, and former MSU quarterback. Meanwhile, spouses and friends toured the nearby Toyota manufacturing plant. Tupelo Regional Airport hosted attendees Thursday evening, with dinner in the terminal, games and static displays on the tarmac.

Attendees this year were able to win rides in classic Stearman biplanes, offered by Carey Hardin of Clearwater Consultants. By having cards stamped by 18 or more exhibitors, they qualified to have their names drawn for one of four slots. Picked were David Boackle, Ismael Bonilla, Melissa Booth and Donna Sowers.

Congratulations to Tom Heanue, Executive Director of the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB), who was honored as 2024 MAA Professional of the Year. He has grown and improved service at PIB for 22 years, has been an advocate for Mississippi aviation and has served as MAA President twice during his 23-year membership.

This conference would not be possible without the support of our dedicated sponsors, listed below. Big, sincere thanks to them all.

Mark your calendar for the 2025 conference, September 17-19 in Hattiesburg!

2024 MAA CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Presidential

Airport Management Solutions, Inc.
Jackson Municipal Airport Authority
ProAm Steel Buildings

Platinum

Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
JBHM Architecture
Michael Baker International
Rebel Services, LLC

Gold

180 Pros
Allen & Hoshall
Dungan Engineering
Engineering Solutions, Inc.
Garver
Golden Triangle Regional Airport
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport
Meridian Airport Authority
Neel-Schaffer, Inc.
Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc.
UAM Afterlife Program

Silver

ACE Consulting & Design
Allen Engineering and Science
Avflight
Cook Coggin Engineers
Engineering Plus, Inc.
Monroe County Airport
Sunbelt Sealing, Inc.
Terracon
Titan Aviation Fuels
TTL, Inc.
Unity Construction, LLC

Friend

Clearwater Consultants, LLC