{"id":9035,"date":"2018-04-06T12:57:29","date_gmt":"2018-04-06T16:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atl.com\/?p=9035"},"modified":"2018-04-06T13:00:53","modified_gmt":"2018-04-06T17:00:53","slug":"atlnext-industry-day-offers-opportunities-encourages-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.atl.com\/atl\/atlnext-industry-day-offers-opportunities-encourages-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"ATLNext Industry Day offers opportunities, encourages inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Coordinator of ATLNext Industry Day, ATL Diversity Manager Valerie Nesbitt addresses the audience during ATLNext Industry Day luncheon April 3.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a9 2018 Decisive Moment Events<\/p><\/div>\n

By Anika Robertson
\nSenior Editor\/Assistant Public Relations Manager<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n

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As construction continues on Hartsfield-Jackson\u2019s multibillion-dollar capital improvement program, ATLNext Industry Day returned for the third year to educate and inspire contractors, particularly minorities and women, about business opportunities at the world\u2019s busiest airport.<\/p>\n

ATLNext officially kicked off in fall 2016, and since then, the Airport has made enormous progress on massive canopies rising alongside the Domestic Terminal as well as renovations to the Transportation Mall and hold rooms. Future projects under ATLNext include additional gates, new cargo and parking facilities, a sixth runway and even a makeover of the Domestic Terminal atrium.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is extraordinary that we will speak of these monumental projects in the same breath as we talk about making sure that minorities and women-owned businesses have a seat at the table,\u201d said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who was joined by a host of Airport leaders April 3 at the Georgia International Convention Center.<\/p>\n

Bottoms credited the City\u2019s growth and energy, propelled by the world\u2019s busiest airport, as the driving force for attracting a number of businesses and making the top 20 list for Amazon\u2019s second headquarters.<\/p>\n

The daylong event encouraged networking and information gathering during sessions covering safety and security, ethics, risk management, contract compliance, the procurement process and, of course, ATLNext.<\/p>\n

Hundreds attended, with more than 50 participating companies.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour presence reflects not only your interest in the world\u2019s busiest and most efficient airport, but also its future growth and development,\u201d Airport Senior Deputy General Manager Michael Smith said.<\/p>\n

Keynote speaker, professor and author Dennis Kimbro shared insight from several prominent figures he interviewed over the years, including iconic Mayor Maynard Jackson.<\/p>\n

\u201cConviction is a force multiplier,\u201d Kimbro said, referencing Jackson\u2019s relentless pursuit of city improvements.<\/p>\n

Jackson was the father of Atlanta\u2019s diversity and inclusion programs. And the City\u2019s commitment to those programs continues today. Under ATLNext, the Airport hopes to achieve 37 percent participation among minority and women businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are really the model for the rest of the country and the rest of the world for what it means to include our minority and women-owned businesses,\u201d Bottoms said.<\/p>\n

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