Group discusses international commerce

About 50 people gathered at the Airport’s Tech Campus on September 15 for a meeting of the International Partners Committee (IPC), at which the representatives of foreign consulates, trade offices and bi-national chambers of commerce received updates on global commerce in metro Atlanta and plans for future expansion.

Aviation General Manager Louis Miller welcomed the group to the meeting, which was hosted by the Airport and the Metro Atlanta Chamber Global Commerce Council, and reminded attendees of the benefits to international commerce and travel that will be provided by the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal when it opens next year.

Jim Drinkard, assistant general manager for Planning and Development, talked about projects under way at the Airport that will impact international commerce and travel. He gave updates on the construction of the international terminal, which the group toured after the meeting ended.

Jim Drinkard discusses Airport projects, including the international terminal.

Miller joins panel discussion

Capital development was a key theme at a panel discussion September 13 featuring Airport General Manager Louis Miller. The luncheon event was a part of the 10th annual Georgia Architects, Engineers and Construction Professionals Leadership Roundtable Mega Meeting.

More than 200 architectural, engineering and construction professionals attended the luncheon and panel discussion. Miller told the audience that nearly $600 million in capital construction — including airfield improvements, midpoint expansions on concourses C and D, and a roadway reconfiguration — is planned for the Airport in the next five years.

Other panelists were H. Wilson Tillotson Jr., senior director of engineering and facilities maintenance, Georgia Ports Authority; Lynn Jackson, director of facilities services, Georgia Department of Education; and Scott W. Condra, senior vice president of development, Jacoby Development Inc.

Steve Luben leads New Business Development

Steve Luben, whose experience in aviation includes positions with Delta Air Lines and Air Jamaica, has joined the Airport as director of the New Business Development unit. He will lead the Airport’s market research, air service development, innovations and new business development initiatives. 
 
“We are excited to have Steve Luben lead our New Business Development team as we begin to re-energize our efforts to bring new products and services to our Airport,” said Arnaldo Ruiz, assistant general manager for Commercial Development. “Steve understands our organization’s thirst for implementing innovative concepts to enhance the passenger experience. He has a proven track record in the aviation industry, and we will benefit greatly from his knowledge and experience.”

Steve Luben has a great deal of experience in aviation, including positions with Delta Air Lines and Air Jamaica.

Aviation Boulevard to be renamed after Jackson

Clayton County commissioners on September 20 approved the City of Atlanta’s request to change the name of Aviation Boulevard to Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Boulevard.

The roadway will lead to the main entrance of the new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal and will create a new entrance to the Airport, providing access from I-75 in Clayton County.
 
The renaming, to honor the former Atlanta mayor who played a key role in expanding the Airport and positioning it as a world-class facility, will be completed in time for the opening of the international terminal next spring. 

Airport hosts Latino Heritage Month music series

As part of the Airport’s annual observation of Latino Heritage Month (mid-September through mid-October), Hartsfield-Jackson brought back the music series for one week of outdoor performances.

The two-hour free concerts, presented by the Airport Art Program, were held September 26-30 at the outdoor sound stage in the Airport’s ground transportation center. Passengers and employees enjoyed the sounds of Orquesta Nova Sound, San Juan Jam, Havana Son (two nights) and Orquesta Lyrica.

Orquesta Nova Sound performs on September 26 at the outdoor sound stage in the ground transportation center.