PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear MAA Members and Partners,

I want to take this opportunity to thank all who participated in the recent Mississippi Airports Association Annual Conference in Hattiesburg. We had great attendance, with 211 individuals representing airports, vendors, exhibitors and other partners. In addition, we were pleased to have a very interactive exhibit hall, with 28 companies showcasing their services. The Association greatly appreciates the interface with each of you and looks forward to seeing the products you offer. Without our generous sponsors, the Mississippi Airports Association would not be able to carry out its mission throughout the year. We are grateful for the tremendous financial support we received from 30 conference sponsors. In the newsletter article about the conference, you will find a list of our 2025 sponsors and exhibitors.

Several other individuals need recognition for making this not only an educational forum, but also a fun and entertaining opportunity for our members to network. Without the dedication of Kathy Kenne, MAA Executive Director, and David Doleac and Kirsten Shaw from Tellos Creative, we would not have the well-organized programs that we all have become accustomed to experiencing. A special thank you is also needed for Tom Heanue, Executive Director of the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport, for hosting this year’s meeting. Hattiesburg has great facilities and offerings, and MAA was pleased to enjoy both the Lake Terrace Convention Center and the Hattiesburg Zoo. The giraffe interaction and feeding proved to be a special touch, making for a great evening!

I also would like to thank Wes Kirkpatrick with the Monroe County Airport for his leadership as the most recent President of MAA, and I look forward to continuing to serve with him in his role as Past President of the organization. I appreciate the confidence being placed in me to serve as the new President of the Mississippi Airports Association, and I look forward to continuing with the forward momentum, providing opportunities for members and partners to learn from one another, advocate for positions of collective interest and strengthen the voice of all airports across our state.

Again, thank you for joining us in Hattiesburg. We look forward to a productive year.

Sincerely,

Clay Williams
President
Mississippi Airports Association