SMART Airports & Regions Conference is one of the aviation sector’s largest and most renowned annual events. This three-day conference starting on July 18th, 2022, will be held at Ontario Convention Center.
Key Takeaways:
- GOCVB and ONT are hosting the conference because ONT is going through a record-breaking streak in which travel demand has been higher than before the pandemic for three months.
- This conference will cover a variety of subjects, including the role of airports as incubators for innovation in urban development and regional connectivity. It will also include how aviation can inspire new economic opportunities in a post-pandemic world.
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What is the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau?
The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau is the recognized agency in charge of marketing Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California, to tourists worldwide. Planning a vacation, conference, meeting, or event in the California towns of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga provides leisure travelers, meeting groups, and professionals an objective, thorough resource.
Ontario International Airport (ONT): Fastest Growing U.S Airport
According to Global Travel, a renowned magazine for luxury travelers, the fastest-growing airport in the United States is Ontario International Airport (ONT). ONT is situated in the Inland Empire, in the heart of Southern California, about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
SMART Airport & Regions Conference
The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau and ONT will co-host the SMART Airport & Regions Conference. Several executives from the two organizations will be among the more than 50 speakers and presenters, including Wapner, OIAA Commissioners Ron Loveridge and Curt Hagman, Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Atif Elkadi, Chief Capital Development Officer Michelle Brantley, Chief Commercial Officer Dan Cappell, and President and CEO of the GOCVB Michael Krouse.
Number of Travelers Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Levels at ONT
The conference occurs as ONT is experiencing a record run in which travel volumes have surpassed pre-pandemic levels for three months, including May. May saw the most significant number of passengers since the airport’s restoration to local control in 2016.
ONT is the preferred aviation gateway for millions of Southern Californians. It also serves as an economic engine that stimulates considerable transportation developments throughout the area.
A futuristic multimodal transportation center is planning to have zero-emission bus rapid transit, hydrogen-powered passenger rail, and an all-electric automobile tunnel.
“We have a great story to tell – here at ONT and across this great region we serve. The Inland Empire is now the 12th largest – and fifth fastest-growing – metropolitan area in the U.S., with a quality of life that is unmatched. We’ve prepared ourselves to meet those growth needs while preserving the convenience and positive customer experience that have become our hallmark,” said Elkadi, ONT’s CEO.
As ONT is currently among North America’s top 10 cargo airports, it is essential to the Inland Empire’s development as a hub for international commodities transportation.
Even though the SMART Airports & Regions Conference gets underway formally on Monday, the sessions and presentations start on Tuesday.
The whole schedule is accessible here.
“We are thrilled to host this event at the Ontario Convention Center and to expose the worldwide attendees to the heart of Southern California’s Inland Experience! Our Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to welcome our visitors and provide information on the amenities and destinations in our region,” said Krouse, GOCVB’s President & CEO.
Wrap Up!
SMART Airports Conference will bring airport leaders and innovators worldwide to Ontario, California. The event will be a great success, and its impact will be felt throughout the aviation industry.
From current airports to those considering refurbishing or replacing their terminals to private companies looking to invest in new technologies, it will take all these groups working together. The conference aims to ensure that airports remain as efficient, effective, and enjoyable as possible.
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