b'74 INDUSTRY INSIDERWhat Makes SnowPo So SpecialIn a conference landscapeA colleague from a North Carolina crowded with panels,airport recently visited and thanked meIn addition to his role presentations and productand the Snow Symposium for helpingas vice president of showcases, the Northeast Chapter of thehim deal with the unprecedented snowairport operations for the Allegheny County American Association of Airport Executivesevent the Carolina airports experiencedAirport Authority at Annual International Aviation Snowthis year. He incorporated the curriculumPittsburgh International Symposium has carved out a distinctiveand applied knowledge learned from ourAirport (PIT), James Moorhead also and important niche. Although its agendaSnow Academy to manage the stormsserves as chairman of the International and keynote speaker are important to theimpact on his airport operations, openingAviation Snow Symposium. He has continued grow of snow removal teams,much sooner than would have beenassisted with the development and the combination of symposium contentpossible without the shared knowledge. curriculum of the International Snow and an authentic spirit of collaborationAcademies during more than 15 years What truly elevates the Snowon the Snow Symposium committee, between airports, industry consultantsSymposium, however, is its foundation of and suppliers is what showcases theand still teaches classes for the American volunteerism. Many of the conferencesAssociation of Airport Executives and importance of this week. planners, speakers and moderators areSnow Symposium. Recent weather events have reinforcedpractitioners who donate their time and why this symposium is so important. Inexpertise for the benefit of the broaderTogether, these elements give the Snow late January, the East Coast was hit withaviation community. This volunteer- Symposium its unique position within the a nearly record-breaking snowfall. A weekdriven model fosters a sense of sharedconference circuit. It is not just a place later, record snowfall across southeasternownership and pride. It also reinforcesto learn, but a place to contribute. Not North Carolina and northeastern Southtrust. Participants know the conversationsjust a forum for ideas, but a catalyst for Carolina impacted the region. Lessonsare shaped by peers who understand thecollaboration. And in an industry where learned and contacts made from previouspressures of snow operations firsthand,preparation and shared knowledge can symposiums provided expertise andnot by distant observers or purelymake the difference between disruption guidance that allowed airports to remaincommercial interests. and resilience, that combination is not open, or open as soon as possible.Equally important is the healthyonly refreshing, its essential.Now in its 58th year, the Snowcollaboration that defines the event. TheI would like to invite everyone involved Symposium delivers conference contentsymposium brings airports together within airport snow removal to attend this that is practical and relatable. Sessionsindustry consultants and suppliers in ayears Northeast Chapter of the American are grounded in real-world experience,setting that encourages open dialogueAssociation of Airport Executives Annual addressing the challenges airportrather than sales pitches. SuppliersInternational Aviation Snow Symposium. operators face when winter weathergain valuable insight into operationalOnce again, Buffalo, NY, has graciously threatens safety, efficiency and continuityrealities, while airports benefit from earlyagreed to host the event, which will be of service. Rather than abstract theory,exposure to emerging tools, technologiesheld April 24 to 29.discussions focus on what works, whatand strategies. This two-way exchange doesnt, and what can be improved creates partnerships that often extendFor more information, please visitoften drawing content directly fromwell beyond the conference itself, leadingwww.snowsymposium.org. recent storm events and operational caseto innovations that improve winter INTERCONNECTED studies. Attendees leave not just informedoperations across the industry.but better equipped to make decisions when airfield conditions are at their worst.March | April 2026AirportImprovement.com'