DENVER – July 10, 2025 – Denver International Airport (DEN) was recently presented with the Airport of the Year award by the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). Specifically, the award honors an airport for significant contributions toward the realization of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) or Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) goals within an airport. This includes program implementation, new program initiatives to foster growth and development of DBEs or encourage employment, research, and litigation.
“We are grateful to AMAC for recognition of our work reducing barriers for small and women and minority-owned disadvantage businesses and providing opportunities for more businesses to share in our success,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington.
In 2024, $6.1 million was paid to DBE entities on DEN contracts; and $88.4 million to MWBE entities. ACDBE entities generated $16.6 million from rental car concession contracts; and $209 million from non-rental car concession contracts.
DEN has created a nationally recognized model for inclusive growth by offering both impactful events and robust training programs that open doors for small and diverse businesses. Signature outreach events—including the Snack & Souvenir Expo, DEN Procurement Tradeshow, Meet the Primes and Taking Flight at DEN—connect firms directly with airport leaders, concessionaires and prime contractors. DEN also organizes targeted training programs like the Business Development Training Academy and the ACDBE Workshop Series, which provide firms with the tools and guidance needed to grow, compete and succeed at DEN and beyond. In 2024 alone, DEN hosted more than 5,000 participants, over half of which were new to the airport.
The ACDBE and DBE Programs are federal programs applicable to airports that receive federal funds through grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation, respectively.
