Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Mark Gale
Department: Aviation Division: Administration
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE co-sponsorship of the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives 2028 Annual Conference scheduled to occur in April 2028 in Broward County, and authorize the Director of the Broward County Aviation Department to approve and execute the co-sponsorship agreement, subject to review and approval as to legal sufficiency by the County Attorney’s Office, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75,000.
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Why Action is Necessary
The Advantage Marketing Program requires that a Broward County co-sponsorship of a third-party event or program with a total aggregate value of more than $5,000 be approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves the co-sponsorship of the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives 2028 Annual Conference.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE AVIATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This action will approve the co-sponsorship of the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (“SEC AAAE”) Annual Conference (“Conference”) in April 2028.
SEC AAAE has over 800 members representing 88 airports and is the largest chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. SEC AAAE's conferences deliver industry knowledge tailored for airport professionals and offer important training and networking opportunities for career growth and business development.
This Conference is an annual event sponsored by SEC AAAE. During the 2026 annual Conference in Savannah, GA, approximately 525 participants attended, with many coming from out of state. This resulted in an increase of 821 hotel room nights for the local economy. The Conference requires a hotel capable of accommodating all lodging and meeting space requirements with at least 400 hotel rooms. The dates for the 2028 Conference are tentatively scheduled for April 2028 providing an excellent opportunity to showcase the host airport's locale.
As a host of the Conference, the Broward County Aviation Department (“BCAD”) would be responsible for hosting, planning, executing, and sponsoring an evening event. This event will be open to all attendees from various airports in the United States and its territories. The costs of the co-sponsorship, including the evening event, would be approved in a not to exceed amount of $75,000.
This action will authorize the BCAD Director to execute the co-sponsorship agreement for the Conference, subject to approval by the Office of the County Attorney as to legal sufficiency. BCAD anticipates that one agreement will need to be executed with SEC-AAAE as the Conference Host.
Source of Additional Information
Mark E. Gale, A.A.E., CEO/Director, Aviation Department, (954) 359-6199
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
BCAD’s co-sponsorship in a not to exceed amount of $75,000 will be allocated in its marketing budget in Fiscal Year 2028.