Indy Airport to Welcome Nation’s Airport Designers

The Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is welcoming nearly 2,000 aviation leaders from across the country as the 2026 AAAE/ACC Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium opens today at the Indiana Convention Center. The three‑day event, held through March 6, is one of the industry’s most influential gatherings focused on airport infrastructure, innovation, and the future of aviation.

For the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the symposium also presents an opportunity to address a challenging trend in the aviation industry.

A significant portion of the aviation industry is facing a “silver tsunami” with many in the workforce nearing retirement. The IAA will leverage the symposium as part of its ongoing efforts to develop the next generation of airport professionals. The symposium will help to broaden college students’ awareness about the diverse career paths available in the industry.

“This event puts us and Indianapolis at the center of the national conversation on the future of aviation development,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director. “And it gives our college students a chance to see how airports are actually planned and developed, which is the work that happens long before a plane ever leaves the ground.”

This year’s symposium features keynote remarks from Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford and former Indianapolis Colts captain Gary Brackett, along with more than 25 technical workshops spanning terminal design, airfield engineering, environmental planning, and construction management. Attendees will also participate in “Open Mic” question-and-answer sessions with the FAA and the Transportation Safety Administration, and explore an exhibit hall showcasing more than 90 industry partners.

IAA Sponsors Indiana College Students to Attend

As part of its commitment to workforce development, the IAA is sponsoring 10 students from Indiana State University, Ball State University, Purdue University, and IU Indianapolis to attend the symposium. These students will experience direct exposure to industry leaders, mentorship opportunities, and hands‑on insight into airport planning and development during the symposium.

“We want students to see that aviation is a field where they can build long, meaningful careers, and that those careers extend far beyond flying and fixing planes,” said Tony McMichael, IAA director of airside development. “Investing in these students today strengthens the future of our own airport system and airports nationwide.”

Students selected for the program look forward to how the experience will expand their understanding of the industry.

“The symposium will give me an understanding of the aviation industry in a way that’s hard to get from a classroom,” said Emma Greene, a third-year aviation management student from Indiana State University. “And I’ll be meeting people I may work with down the road, and getting a better sense of the various career options and what feels right for me.”

For more on the symposium, visit https://aaae.org/pdcs To explore internship and work-learn opportunities at the Indy airport, click here.