Association of California Airports

Registration

Registration rates

Lock in early-bird pricing through August 7, 2026. Standard rates apply after the cutoff. The Airport Leasing Workshop is a pre-conference add-on available to all attendees.

Best value

Early-bird registration

$350

Full conference registration at the early-bird rate. Take advantage before standard pricing takes effect.

Through August 7, 2026

Standard registration

$400

After August 7, standard registration rates will apply.

After August 7, 2026

Pre-conference

Airport Leasing Workshop

$75

A focused pre-conference workshop on airport leasing. Open to all conference attendees.

Monday, September 28, 2026

Register by August 7

Draft schedule

Conference schedule

As of August 3, 2026. Schedule subject to change. View full agenda →

Monday, September 28

City of South Lake Tahoe City Hall, 1901 Lisa Maloff Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA

8:00 AM to 11:30 AM

ACA Board Member Retreat

11:30 AM

Lunch provided for Board Members and Leasing Workshop Attendees

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Airport Business Management Workshop: The Essentials

Curt Castagna, CM, President/CEO, Ascension Group Partners
Paula Jordan-Foster, AAE, Business Practice Leader, KSA, a Pape-Dawson Company
Margaret Martin, Partner, Thompson Burton, LLC
Robert Trimborn, CM, Senior Consultant, AMCG

6:00 PM

ACA Board Member Retreat Working Dinner

By invitation.

Tuesday, September 29

Valhalla Tahoe, 1 Valhalla Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA

11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Open Registration

12:45 PM

Opening Remarks

1:15 PM to 2:00 PM

Session 1: FAA Panel: Western-Pacific Regional Airports Division

Panelists: Faviola Garcia, Acting Director, Airports Division; Michael Price, Manager, Airports Compliance Division; Amy Choi, Manager, San Francisco ADO; Cathryn Cason, Manager, Los Angeles ADO; and Matthew Robertson, Lead Planner.

Recognizing California aviation leadership

2026 Michael A. Shutt Award nominations

The Michael A. Shutt Award recognizes an individual or organization whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have significantly advanced the growth, development, and safety of California airports.

Submit a nomination by August 28, 2026

Anyone may nominate an individual or organization. Eligible nominees include airport sponsors, consultants, funding agencies, aviation organizations, and other professionals whose work has positively impacted California aviation.

The ACA Awards Subcommittee will evaluate nominations for demonstrated leadership, innovative problem solving, community partnership, industry knowledge, and work that advances California aviation. The recipient will be recognized during the 2026 Annual Conference.

Where to stay

Host hotel

ACA has secured a 20% discount on guest rooms at Station House Inn through September 6, 2026, subject to availability. Use the booking link to receive the discounted rate.

Station House Inn

Unreserved rooms in the ACA room block are released after September 6, 2026, and the discounted rate may no longer be available.

Cancellation policy: Reservations may be cancelled up to 14 days before arrival. Cancellations within 14 days of arrival are non-refundable.

Visit Station House Inn →

Support the conference

Sponsor the 2026 ACA Annual Conference

Reach airport directors, planners, and aviation leaders from across California for three days in Lake Tahoe. Sponsorship packages include conference attendance, branded recognition, and dedicated opportunities to connect with the people shaping the state’s airport future.

Limited exhibitor tables available

Exhibitor tables are now available for the ACA Annual Conference at Valhalla Tahoe. Tables are set outdoors on the covered porch adjacent to the main conference space. Each exhibitor receives a 6-foot table and two chairs.

Electrical outlets are limited. If power is important for your display, let the coordinators know and they will try to accommodate. Space is limited, so reserve early.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When and where is the 2026 Annual Conference?

The conference runs Monday, September 28 through Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Valhalla Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe, California. It is a new venue for this year.

When does registration open?

Registration is open now. Early-bird pricing of $350 is available through August 7, 2026; after that, standard registration rates apply.

How much does it cost to attend?

Early-bird registration is $350 per attendee through August 7, 2026. Standard registration is $400 per attendee after August 7.

What is the Airport Leasing Workshop?

A focused pre-conference workshop on airport leasing, held Monday, September 28, 2026. It's a $75 add-on, open to all conference attendees, and can be selected at registration.

Who attends the ACA Annual Conference?

Aviation leaders from across California, including airport managers, staff, commissioners, consultants, and industry partners, gather for the conversations shaping the future of California aviation.

Where can I stay in South Lake Tahoe?

ACA has secured a 20% discount at Station House Inn for conference attendees. Rooms in the ACA block release after September 6, 2026, after which the discount may no longer be available.

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Where California aviation gathers.

Registration rates

Conference schedule

Monday, September 28

ACA Board Member Retreat

Lunch provided for Board Members and Leasing Workshop Attendees

Airport Business Management Workshop: The Essentials

ACA Board Member Retreat Working Dinner

Tuesday, September 29

Open Registration

Opening Remarks

Session 1: FAA Panel: Western-Pacific Regional Airports Division

2026 Michael A. Shutt Award nominations

Submit a nomination by August 28, 2026

Host hotel

Sponsor the 2026 ACA Annual Conference

Limited exhibitor tables available

Diamond Sponsor

Frequently asked questions

Be part of the conversations shaping the future of aviation.

Session 2: Caltrans Division of Aeronautics Update: How to Prepare for a Caltrans Airport Inspection

Break and Networking Time

Session 3: Reducing Litigation Risk and Enhancing Customer Experience

Airport Meetings with FAA ADO Staff

Session 4: Unleaded Fuel Industry Update

Welcome Reception

Wednesday, September 30

Continental Breakfast

General Membership Meeting

Break and Networking Time

Session 5: Airport Rates and Fee Studies

Open Registration

Airport Meetings with FAA ADO Staff

State of the General Aviation Industry

Lunch Provided

Session 7: FAA Compliance: Current Trends in CA and the NAS

Session 8: How to Be a Good Neighbor: Case Study with Lessons Learned

Break and Networking Time

Session 9: Building the AAM Workforce: Partnerships That Make It Possible

Shuttle departs Valhalla Tahoe

Shuttle arrives at Station House Inn

Cruise shuttle departs Station House Inn for Zephyr Cove

Evening Dinner Cruise aboard the M.S Dixie II

Thursday, October 1

Light Breakfast

Opening Remarks by ACA President

Session 10: Roundtable/Town Hall

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Exhibitors

Supporting Sponsor