ACI-NA’s JumpStart® Air Service Development Conference is North America’s premier air service development conference. The 2024 JumpStart® Conference will take place in Washington, D.C. from May 20 – 22 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The event will begin with a full day of educational sessions, followed by two days of airport-airline meetings.

Please Note: On Sunday, May 19, there will be a Small Airports Committee Meeting from 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM.

Please contact jumpstart@airportscouncil.org for more information.

STEP 1

Meet&Match Registration
Register with JumpStart® Meet&Match to submit your wish list (before February 28, 2024).

STEP 2

Conference Registration
Register for the conference and proceed with payment. Don’t forget to book your hotel room at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

2024 Meet&Match Account Login

All airports are required to compete Step 1 – Meet&Match Registration. After completing Step 1, please use the link below to update your wishlist and view your JumpStart® meeting schedule in Meet&Match.

Important JumpStart® Dates

  • September 15, 2023 – JumpStart® conference registration opens
  • December 11, 2023 – JumpStart® Meet&Match opens.
  • February 28, 2024 – JumpStart® Meet&Match registration and wish list deadline. If we do not receive your wish list by February 28, 2024, we cannot guarantee any meetings at JumpStart® 2024.
  • April 4, 2024– JumpStart® e-mails preliminary meeting schedule to airports. It is advised that you should not book your flights until you have seen your preliminary meeting schedule. 
  • April 17, 2024– Early-Bird conference registration rate deadline
  • April 17, 2024– Conference payment due to guarantee airline meetings
  • April 17, 2024– ACI-NA hotel discount rate deadline
  • May 3, 2024– JumpStart® e-mails final meeting schedule to airports
  • May 20-22, 2024– JumpStart® Conference

Step 1 – Meet&Match Registration

Meet&Match is the dedicated online website for airports to request airline meetings. Meet&Match allows you to create your profile and submit your airline wish list. Only one Meet&Match registration per airport is permitted – Meet&Match primary contact.  The Meet&Match registration deadline is February 28, 2024.

You can submit your airline wish list now and pay later. Please ensure that payment is received by April 17, 2024, to guarantee your airline meetings.

Step 2 – Conference Registration
Conference registration (payment) is required for all attendees, even if you have multiple representatives from your airport/organization. It is important you pay by April 17, 2024, to guarantee your meetings with airlines.

Who Should Attend

Any professional interested in learning about aviation trends or meeting industry leaders, including:

Airports looking to add new airlines and routes to their facilities

Airlines looking to add new service routes to their portfolio

Why Attend?

ACI-NA’s JumpStart® Air Service Development Conference is a “speed dating” program designed to bring airports and airlines together for brief strategic meetings.

Organized by Airports Council International-North America, a non-profit trade association, JumpStart® stands apart from others as the most affordable event that brings airports and airlines together. It is the event with the most career-enhancing educational programming.

Airports request a private, 20-minute meeting with up to 12 airlines. ACI-NA this year will again be using an online matching program to facilitate the scheduling of the airports and airlines that request meetings. The airlines also make their own wish lists of communities they would like to meet. With the assistance of the matching software, ACI-NA staff crafts a meeting schedule for each airport with airlines that want to meet them. In 2023, JumpStart® connected airline route planners from 19 airlines in over 900 one-on-one meetings.

What JumpStart® can offer you: 

Educational Content

There will be a dedicated day of educational sessions, tailored for air service development attendees. These sessions will provide in-depth knowledge on industry trends and air service, allowing you to expand your expertise when meeting with airlines.

Increased Networking Opportunities

These social events will be invaluable as they allow you to have greater exposure to airlines and further expand your industry contacts. You will have greater networking opportunities under less formal conditions than your JumpStart meetings.

Personalized Schedules

Your JumpStart schedule will be made to suit your preferences and time constraints as best as possible. We will work with your consultants directly to ensure they don’t have any meeting conflicts, ensuring you have a seamless JumpStart experience.

Hotel Information

Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street NW
Washington , D.C. 20008

ACI-NA has reserved rooms at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The discounted hotel rate for the traditional room type is $313 USD for single/double occupancy per night plus applicable taxes. Other category/view room types are available at a higher rate.

To book online, please click here.

The last day to reserve your room at the discounted rate is Friday, April 17, 2024. Rooms may sell out at the discounted rate before the booking deadline. We encourage you to reserve your room early.

Guarantee & Cancellation Policy: All reservations will be guaranteed for the first night’s room and tax. Cancellations made prior to 72 hours of arrival will not be charged.

Conference Location

Conference registration, educational sessions, and airport-airline one-on-one meetings will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Transportation Options

From Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Taxi: Washington Flyer Taxicabs serve Washington Dulles International Airport exclusively with 24-hour service to and from the Airport. Non-Washington Flyer cab companies are prohibited from soliciting passengers for pick up on airport property. Follow the signs for Ground Transportation or Taxi to the lower level of the Terminal, DOWN the ramp to Door 2 or Door 6). A customer service representative is available 24-hours a day.  

TNCs: Uber, Lyft and ALTO are located on the ground level outside of Baggage Claim, accessible via Doors 2, 4 or 6.

Metro: Board a silver line train in the direction of Downtown Largo and alight at Metro Center. Change to the red line and board a train toward Shady Grove, alighting at Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan. The hotel is then a 0.2 mile walk.

From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Taxi: From Terminal 1, proceed out the exit doors at baggage claim and turn right. The Taxis are located on the curb closest to the Terminal. From Terminal 2, proceed to the baggage claim lower level (level one). Walk indoors to Doors 5 or 6 then proceed outside to the terminal curbside.

TNCs: Uber, Lyft, and ALTO offer transportation services to passengers arriving to and departing from Reagan National Airport. From Terminal 1 customers can meet their ride on the third (outer) curb. From Terminal 2 customers can meet their ride on the Baggage Claim (Arrivals) Level -1st Floor on the outer curb.

Metro: Board a blue line train in the direction of Downtown Largo and alight at Metro Center. Change to the red line and board a train toward Shady Grove, alighting at Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan. The hotel is then a 0.2 mile walk.

Local Information

All events will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel unless otherwise noted.

This agenda is subject to change.

Sunday, May 19, 2024

  • Air Service Committee Steering Group Members – 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM (invitation only)
  • Small Airports Committee Meeting – 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Open to all registered attendees).

Monday, May 20, 2024

  • Full day of educational sessions – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Networking Reception – 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  • Airport/airline one-on-one meetings – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Host Airport Event – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM – National Portrait Gallery

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

  • Airport/airline one-on-one meetings – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Early-Bird Registration
(Until April 17)

Regular Registration
(After April 17)

Member:

$1,300 USD

$1,750 USD

Consultant Member: 

$1,700 USD

$2,150 USD

Non-Member: 

$1,900 USD

$2,350 USD

*Consultants are charged a premium registration fee when representing airport clients. ACI-NA staff work with consultants to ensure that meeting schedules are maintained, updated and that they avoid airport-airline meeting scheduling conflicts.

Conference Package

Your registration fee includes all conference materials and the following meal functions:

Sunday – PM Break w/ beverages and snacks provided for participants of the Small Airports Committee Meeting
Monday – Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch, AM Break w/ beverages, PM Break w/ beverages and snacks
Tuesday – Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch, AM Break w/ beverages, PM Break w/ beverages and snacks
Wednesday – Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch, AM Break w/ beverages, PM Break w/ beverages and snacks

How to Register

Note: the log-in details to register for the conference (payment) is different from the JumpStart® Meet&Match log-in details.

Invoice: If you require ACI-NA to send you an invoice for payment, please email jumpstart@airportscouncil.org.

Each individual attending 2024 JumpStart® is required to pay, even if you have multiple representatives from your airport/organization.   

Airport Registration

JumpStart® registration has two steps:

Step 1

Register with JumpStart® Meet&Match to submit your wish list (before February 28, 2024). We’ll then send your preliminary draft JumpStart® schedule on April 4, 2024. The deadline to register for JumpStart® Meet&Match is February 28, 2024. If you register after February 28, 2024, we cannot guarantee that you will receive your preferred airline meetings. You can submit payment once you receive travel approval.

Step 2

Register for the conference and proceed with payment. Don’t forget to book your hotel room. Please register before the Early Bird deadline to ensure you receive airlines meetings. Please note that the log-in details to register for the conference (payment) is different from your JumpStart® Meet&Match log-in details.

Airline Registration

If you are interested in attending 2024 JumpStart® and would like a table, please contact us at jumpstart@airportscouncil.org for additional information.

JumpStart® Airline Representation Policy
JumpStart® strives to provide value to both participating airports and airlines. Therefore, airlines that choose to attend JumpStart® are not permitted to be represented by a consultant or another third-party organization. The chosen representative(s) must be direct employees of the airline itself. ACI-NA reserves the right to refuse, within its sole discretion, participation in Jumpstart®. 

More Information

Guest Registration Policy

Guest Registration includes access to the welcome reception and the closing night event. If a guest plans to attend any educational programming and/or airline-airport meetings, they must register for the full conference.

A guest is a spouse, significant other, friend, or adult child who is not in an industry-related occupation, volunteer or appointed position. A co-worker or an associate within the industry may not use the guest registration.

ACI-NA Sustainable Conferences Guidelines

Cancellations, Substitutions, and Refund Policies

Notice of cancellation must be submitted in writing to meetings@airportscouncil.org. Cancellation notices received by April 17, 2024, are subject to a $100 processing fee and will be processed after the meeting takes place. There are no refunds after the deadline date. No refunds for no shows, however, substitutions will be honored at any time.

Click here to view the airports and airlines that attended the 2023 JumpStart® Air Service Development Conference.

ACI-NA continues to examine how we deliver valuable educational content and leadership development opportunities to help airports overcome new and emerging challenges.

Under the new combined JumpStart® Air Service Development Conference layout, the ACI-NA Small Airports Committee is scheduled to hold an in-depth Committee meeting to discuss ongoing operational and regulatory issues affecting small and non-hub airports on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Following the Committee meeting and beginning on Monday, May 20, the 2024 JumpStart® Air Service Development Conference will help small and non-hub airports seize more opportunities to attract and maintain air service for your airport. The event will begin with a full day of educational sessions, followed by two days of airport-airline meetings. ACI-NA is pleased to announce we are adding more value to the conference by offering enhanced networking opportunities, a new mobile app to help you connect with attendees, and personalized scheduling to maximize your time at JumpStart®.

The 2024 agenda will be available in early March 2024.

Who Should Attend

Any professional interested in learning about aviation trends as they pertain to small & non-hub airports.

Registration

ACI-NA Members who plan to only attend the Small Airports Committee Meeting on May 19, 2024 (i.e., not attending any portion of JumpStart®) are permitted to do so without a fee, but must register in advance by emailing jumpstart@airportscouncil.org.

Please contact jumpstart@airportscouncil.org to receive additional information on how to register for the May 19  meeting.

Sponsoring an ACI-NA conference or meeting offers your company a prime opportunity to network with existing clients and showcase your company’s goods and services to prospective customers in your target market. ACI-NA offers a variety of opportunities for companies of all sizes to sponsor any of our annual conferences and meetings and reach our airport and aviation-related business members.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for 2024 JumpStart®. Please contact Karynna at sponsorship@airportscouncil.org for additional details. The 2024 prospectus will be available soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit my airline wish list now and pay later?

Yes, you can submit your airline wish list now and pay later, however, please ensure you pay by April 17, 2024, to guarantee your airline meetings.

What is Step 1 – Meet&Match Registration?

Meet&Match is the dedicated online website for you to request airline meetings. Meet&Match allows you to create your profile, submit additional attendees from your airport, and submit your airline wish list. The Meet&Match registration deadline is February 28, 2024.

What is Step 2 – Conference Registration?

Conference registration (payment) is required for all attendees, even if you have multiple representatives from your airport/organization. It is important you pay by April 17, 2024, to guarantee your airline meetings.

What does JumpStart Meet&Match registration and wish list deadline mean?

You must submit your airline wish list by February 28, 2024, using the Meet&Match website.

What if I register after February 28, 2024?

If you register using the Meet&Match website after March 6, 2024, we cannot guarantee that you will secure meetings with your preferred airlines.

What is Meet&Match’s Primary Contact?

Meet&Match’s Primary Contact is the single designated person from an airport to receive emails from the JumpStart and Meet&Match website. If you are no longer the primary contact for your airport, please contact jumpstart@airportscouncil.org and we will set up a new profile for a colleague.

How does the Meet&Match scheduling work?

Once airlines and airports have submitted their wish lists, ACI-NA will use specialized software which will automatically confirm and schedule meetings. Please click here to view additional information on scheduling.

How do I request meetings?

The online Meet&Match website allows you to request meetings by creating a wish list of airlines you would like to meet with. The higher up an airline is on your wish list increases the probability of securing a meeting with that airline.

How will I be notified when new airlines register?

You will be notified by regular email updates when new airlines confirm to attend JumpStart.

Can my consultant register for Meet&Match (Step 1) and submit the airline wish list on behalf of my airport?

Yes, your consultant can register on behalf of your airport, but ACI-NA will only send email notifications to the primary contact registered in Meet&Match. This means the airport will not receive updates regarding their airline meeting schedule.

How many meetings do I get?

ACI-NA does not guarantee a minimum number of meetings. However, if you receive three or fewer meetings, ACI-NA will contact you directly to see if we can secure additional airline meetings to improve your JumpStart experience.

When do I obtain my final meeting schedule?

You will receive your final meeting schedule via email on May 3, 2024.

Will you work with my consultant to avoid meeting conflicts?

Yes, we will work directly with your consultant to avoid conflicts with meetings. If there is a meeting conflict, please let your consultant contact us.

Can I make changes to my schedule after receiving the preliminary schedule?

Yes, changes can be made to your schedule after receiving the preliminary schedule. Please notify us as soon as possible if you would like to request a change.

Can I cancel my meeting with a specific airline? 

Yes, you can cancel specific airline meetings when you receive your preliminary schedule if you feel that your meeting may not be valuable. However, you must notify us immediately.

What if I am unhappy with the number of meetings I receive?

ACI-NA will work directly with you to maximize your JumpStart experience. If you are still unhappy with your preliminary meeting schedule, ACI-NA will offer you a full refund.

Why is there a Consultant Member registration fee?

Consultants are charged a premium registration fee when representing airport clients. ACI-NA staff work with consultants to ensure that schedules are maintained, updated and that they avoid airport-airline meeting scheduling conflicts.

What if my airport is interested in hosting JumpStart in the future?

Please contact jumpstart@airportscouncil.org to express your interest. You can view the JumpStart host airport requirements here.

 

Please contact us at jumpstart@airportscouncil.org if you have any additional questions. 

Host Airport

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