Speaker Biograghy: Kim was appointed President/CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority on May 1, 2017. She has nearly 30 years' experience in the aviation industry. As President/CEO, she is responsible for management oversight of the Airport Authority and San Diego International Airport (SAN). This includes the Airport Authority’s annual operating budget and five-year capital budget. SAN generates about US$10bn annually in economic impact for the region. Kim served as Director of Aviation for Mineta San Jose International Airport from 2013-2017, and held increasingly responsible positions at that airport from 1995 onwards. Her career in aviation and airport management has also included operations and environmental positions at Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, and Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Kim holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration/Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.


Day 2 - 21 March
Session: Commercial Development, Retail & Concessions

11:55 - 12:55 - Panel Discussion: Creating a level playing field: innovation in small business development
Synopsis: Small businesses are the backbone of a regional economy. But they are often unable to compete for large airport development projects – not because they lack the skills or expertise, but because they often lack capital, certifications and knowledge of how to navigate complex bureaucracies. Solving this problem has required an innovative approach involving specialised training, education and other assistance to level the playing field. The results have yielded dividends for the local economy, small businesses and airports themselves. Learn from this panel of airport and business leaders how airports and small businesses can work together for mutual benefit.

Audience will learn:

• Creating bonding and financing programmes that help small businesses stay afloat even when prime contractors are slow to pay
• Getting certified: how to best help small businesses sort through the financial and bureaucratic mazes of certification
• Can partnering with a local construction company help educate a regional workforce and boost competitiveness? One word: Yes
• Veterans are a special group that deserves special considerations. How do we maximise their potential?
• Helping local shops and restaurants compete with experienced master concessionaires so that your airport truly reflects the local flavour