b'48 SFOINFO TECHNOLOGY San Francisco Intl Flips the Script for Interfacing With Tech Vendors BY JODI RICHARDS Last fall, San FranciscoBy all accounts, flipping the script International Airport (SFO) hostedworked. Airport leaders were elated by its first-ever Tech Day. And basedattendance and interest in the event, and on the results, there will likely be more. Thevendors were thrilled to be invited. To be convergence of airport staff, technologyclear, SFO Tech Day wasnt a chance for firms and academia was crafted to upendvendors to pitch their wares and ideas the industry norm of tech firms coldbased on assumptions of what airports calling the airport in favor of collaborativeneed. It was SFO representatives stating partnerships that will address SFOs uniquetheir specific challenges and goals in an FACTS&FIGURESchallenges and plans. attempt to spur providers toward focused Project: Tech Day Were tryingsolutions.Location: San Francisco Intl Airport to give a platform Format: Inform vendors & academia about airports specificto everybodyFull Agendatechnology needs & challengesthat is willing toThe event was held Objective: Replace practice of tech vendors cold calling withtake a differentlast November in collaborative partnerships focused on airports unique goals approach intothe airports onsite Technology Improvement Program: Fluid documenthow technology isaviation museum. Ana detailing airports strategies/needs for next 3-5 yearsdeveloped, explainsIYAD HINDIYEH ivanovi, principal Response: More than 70% attendance rate Iyad Hindiyeh, the airports chief digitalof strategic initiatives Feedback: Overwhelmingly positive; attendees hope othertransformation officer. We can be therewith SFOs Technology airports will hold similar eventsas a partner.Team, notes that theANA IVANOVIMay | June 2025AirportImprovement.com'