Aviation - The Catalyst for Economic Development (ACED) explores the positive contribution that international gateway airport cities make to regional development and economic growth using a series of industry case studies.

The airport city is a major new business and employment generator but even more importantly acts as a catalyst for regional economic growth and prosperity.

ACED will quantify the catalytic contribution of airports to this dynamic process and highlight the role of key partners including airports, airlines, economic development agencies, real-estate developers and the financial and investment communities.

The conference will assess the catalytic effects as well as:

• "ó Attracting new business investment to the airport area
  "ó Retaining existing companies in the airport area or region and
• enhancing their expansion prospects
• "ó Promoting high value export success of companies located in the
• airport area by improving quick access to suppliers and customers
• "ó Enhancing the competitiveness of time-critical manufacturers and distributors
• "ó Attracting tourists and business travellers to the region and
• therefore generating employment and
• business revenues in local establishments
• "ó Increasing the number of distant markets
• "ó Increasing land and commercial property values in the airport area
• "ó Not only facilitating trade but creating trade and enhancing competitiveness

Attendee Profile:
"ó Airport CEOs, directors, managers & executives
"ó Economic development agencies
"ó Architects and planners who are active in airport development
"ó Suppliers and solution providers
"ó Real-estate developers interested in airport city projects
"ó Major construction and development companies
"ó Real-estate investment trusts and financial institutions
"ó Hotel groups, theme park and leisure facility operators wanting

to locate close to airports
"ó Cargo and logistics operators and freight-forwarders