Last week, airport chief executives from across the United States and Canada gathered for ACI-NA’s CEO Forum, our annual high-level meeting focused on agenda setting, peer exchange, and relationship building that powerfully shapes the direction of the airport industry.
Unlike traditional conferences built around podium presentations and panels, ACI-NA’s CEO Forum is intentionally designed for dialogue. Small-group discussions and facilitated roundtables created space for candid conversations among peers facing similar pressures, opportunities, and decisions. The result was a collaborative environment where leaders could step away from daily operational demands and focus on the longer-term horizon.
Several themes surfaced repeatedly throughout the week, underscoring both the pace of change and the shared priorities of airport leadership.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a topic of both excitement and caution. CEOs discussed practical applications already influencing day-to-day airport operations, from predictive maintenance to customer service automation, while also weighing data governance, cybersecurity, and the responsibility to safeguard sensitive information. The conversation reflected an industry eager to harness innovation while maintaining public trust.
Environmental strategy remained firmly top-of-mind. From PFAS transition planning and regulatory developments to resiliency investments and evolving energy demands, airport leaders emphasized the complexity of balancing sustainability goals with infrastructure realities. Discussions highlighted the need for coordinated policy engagement and long-term asset planning as airports continue to adapt to changing environmental expectations.
Airports are also focused on economic volatility and its impact on air travel. Airline restructurings, fluctuating passenger demand, and the emergence of advanced air mobility technologies are reshaping the aviation ecosystem. CEOs shared insights on preparing their organizations for uncertainty while continuing to invest in modernization and service delivery.
A highlight of the Forum was an interactive session conducted in partnership with AirportNEXT, previewing findings from a new Futures Study designed to identify the trends most likely to influence airports over the next three to five years. More than 300 airport executives contributed input, evaluating 55 distinct trends ranging from workforce dynamics to technology adoption. While the AirportNEXT Futures Study is slated for release later this year, CEOs in the room were able to actively collaborate and brainstorm strategies to respond to emerging challenges.
The week also marked an important milestone for ACI-NA as the Board convened for the first time under the leadership of newly installed Chair Cindy Nichol, Director of Airports for the Sacramento County Department of Airports. Her opening remarks and facilitation set a tone of collaboration and forward momentum that carried through the Forum’s discussions.
ACI-NA’s CEO Forum’s impact is felt over the course of the year in the partnerships formed, the ideas exchanged, and the collective understanding that the strength of North American aviation lies in shared knowledge and unified purpose. In a period of rapid transformation, the opportunity for airport leaders to learn from one another may be one of the industry’s most valuable assets.