Airport wins ACI-NA inclusion champion award in large hub airport category.
MIAMI – On April 5, Miami International Airport was recognized by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) – the leading industry organization representing the governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada – with its top award for exceptional achievement in promoting and sustaining diversity. MIA received the ACI-NA 2016 Inclusion Champion Award in the Large Hub Airport category, which commends the proactive and innovative steps taken by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) to successfully achieve minority inclusion in its business contracts, workforce and employee development through a sustainable model. MIA received the award at ACI-NA’s 2016 Business of Airports Conference in Orlando.
In the area of business inclusion, the Aviation Department was praised for its extensive and innovative outreach programs for small businesses, including local minority- and female-owned companies, to make them aware of MIA contracting opportunities and initiatives such as: the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program; the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program for construction and design contractors; the Local Developing Business program for airline service contracts; the Small Local Car Rental program for car rental concessions; and the Department’s Maintenance Contractor Program.
As a result of MIA’s efforts, small businesses accounted for $202.7 million, or 17.1 percent, of its $1.1 billion in contracts in fiscal year 2015. Additionally, small business concessions generated $158 million in gross sales in FY 2015, which accounted for 35.1 percent of MIA’s $450.4 million in total gross sales. Additionally, MDAD’s Maintenance Contractor Program has grown to 42 small and minority-owned contractors since it was launched as a pilot program in 2014, and is expected to increase to 60 companies within the next 18 months.
“Our Aviation Department, under Director Gonzalez’s leadership, has developed innovative, trailblazing programs for small business participation at MIA, and I applaud them for their efforts,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “MIA is the leading economic engine for our County and the state of Florida, generating $33.5 billion in revenue annually, and as this award acknowledges, local small businesses are significant contributors to MIA’s economic impact.”
MDAD’s inclusive and diverse workplace practices, including its initiatives to support the recruitment and professional development of minorities, were also commended.
“We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious award for our commitment to business and workplace diversity,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. Gonzalez. “Specifically, ACI-NA commended us for the high level of participation by local minority-owned businesses in our concession contracts, which has been one of my top priorities since joining the Aviation Department in 2013. I’m proud to say that local small businesses continue to be a growing segment of our operations, and to be recognized as a leader in this area among all large hub airports within North America is deeply gratifying.”
Chair of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and Executive Director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports, Miami-Dade Aviation Department Communications Director Greg Chin and President and CEO of ACI-NA Kevin M. Burke.
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