Speaker Biograghy: RJ was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority in 2010. For over 16 years he has contributed to the transportation, technology and financial industries in various senior roles. RJ holds a BSc in Anthropology and a BA in Communications from the University of Calgary and an MBA from Royal Roads University. He also holds an Accredited Airport Executive designation from AAAE and an International Airport Professional designation from the International Civil Aviation Organization/Airports Council International. RJ has extensive governance experience and is active on a number of industry and community boards. He currently serves as a Director for IAAE (Canada), ICAO/ACI Community of Practice and the NW Chapter of AAAE. He is also a past Chair of Tourism Red Deer and brings his passion to several airport industry committees including the Canadian Airport Council’s Small Airport Caucus and Red Deer Chambers of Commerce Transportation Committee.


Day 2 - 16 March
Session: Energy, Environmental Issues & Sustainability

09:05 - 09:40 - Employee wellbeing and corporate social responsibility – airports in a broader social and environmental context
Synopsis: ROELOF-JAN STEENSTRA: Airport corporate social responsibility means considering the environment, economic and social impact of every action taken at the airport. As airports, we must be sensitive to the unique priorities of employees, customers, partners and stakeholders, and of the countless people who depend on the airport to meet their needs, respecting their interests and upholding their values. Presenting various elements of corporate social responsibility as it relates to employee wellbeing, community relations and strategic and operating environment. CANDACE MCGRAW: Airports are catalysts for regional economic development and job creation, and as such are tightly connected to the surrounding community and its mission and vision. Airport operators realise that vibrant relationships with all airport stakeholders are a pre-condition for success. The notion of corporate social responsibility should be instilled in every employee: a well-managed airport is one of the community's and region's most valuable assets as well as a source of civic pride. We will discuss how spending time today to get things right will benefit employees and the various communities we serve, while at the same time securing our own futures as thriving and sustainable airports.

Audience will learn:

• Canadian perspective of corporate social responsibility
• How CSR applies to a regional airport authority’s strategic and operating environment
• To be successful, airports must be viewed in the broader social and environmental context
• The manner in which a medium hub North American airport views CRS as part of its broader mission for success
• Community engagement is essential to growing air service in a volatile environment (dehubbing of CVG)

Day 2 - 16 March
Session: Customer Service & Passenger Experience

14:55 - 15:10 - Designations – are they worth it?
Synopsis: The underpinning of any successful airport is its human capital. The presentation will discuss how industry designations and an MBA help airport professionals prepare to manage in a changing environment, and succeed. In addition, it will explore mentoring and whether it is helpful or another unnecessary cost with little return.

Audience will learn:

• What is available
• What benefits they provide
• How best practices in airports are developing and evolving in this area