What's Happening?
Gresham Smith announced that Architect Will Carlson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, will moderate a session at the 2026 Airports Going Green® (AGG) Conference. This leading aviation industry forum on sustainability is co-hosted by the Chicago Department of Aviation
and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and will take place from November 8-10, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Carlson will lead 'General Session 8 – From Silos to Synergy — Part 2' on Tuesday, November 10, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. He will be joined by Alicia Barone, C.M., Sustainability Coordinator for Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The session will focus on bridging the gap between airport operations and design teams to achieve smoother project delivery, stronger partnerships, and advanced sustainability goals in infrastructure development.
Why It's Important?
This session is crucial for the U.S. aviation industry as airports increasingly prioritize sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The collaboration between operations and design teams is vital for effective project execution, ensuring that daily operational realities and long-term vulnerabilities are considered alongside future growth and regulatory requirements. By fostering stronger partnerships, airports can avoid critical decisions being made without full stakeholder input, leading to more efficient and environmentally responsible outcomes. This initiative can influence public policy by setting new standards for sustainable airport development, potentially impacting federal funding for green infrastructure projects and shaping the future of air travel in the U.S. Stakeholders include airport authorities, design and engineering firms, and environmental advocacy groups, all of whom stand to benefit from improved sustainability practices.
What's Next?
The Airports Going Green Conference will serve as a platform for industry leaders to share best practices and innovative solutions for sustainable airport development. The insights and strategies discussed in Carlson's session could lead to the adoption of new collaborative models between airport operations and design teams across the U.S. This could result in more integrated planning processes for future airport expansion and modernization projects, with a stronger emphasis on environmental impact and operational efficiency. The conference's outcomes may also influence policy recommendations for federal aviation agencies, encouraging broader implementation of sustainability initiatives within the national airport system.
Beyond the Headlines
The focus on bridging the gap between operations and design in airport sustainability reflects a growing recognition within the infrastructure sector that environmental goals cannot be achieved in isolation. This approach highlights a shift towards holistic planning, where the long-term ecological and operational impacts are considered from the outset of a project. It also underscores the ethical responsibility of large-scale infrastructure projects, like airports, to minimize their carbon footprint and contribute positively to community resilience. This trend could set a precedent for other major U.S. infrastructure sectors, promoting a more integrated and sustainable approach to development nationwide.
