Thank You for Making F.O.A.M. 2026 a Success
Presented by ICC Distribution Group | PAVIX, the 2026 Facilities, Operations and Airport Managers (F.O.A.M.) Conference brought Canada's airport community together in St. John's, Newfoundland, from May 4–6 for three days of learning, networking and sharing best practices.
This year's conference welcomed representatives from 34 airports across Canada, including 58 airport managers and professionals, along with 16 exhibitors and eight sponsors representing organizations from across the aviation industry.
Centred around the theme Airport Best Practices: Learning from Experience. Building for Tomorrow., the conference featured 15 educational sessions covering topics ranging from airport operations and infrastructure to leadership, technology and innovation.
More Than a Conference
Beyond the educational program, delegates enjoyed several opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the country, including a behind-the-scenes tour of St. John's International Airport (YYT), a welcome reception in the hotel courtyard and the unforgettable Rally in the Alley event on George Street, where attendees experienced Newfoundland hospitality, live music, dancing and even the opportunity to be "screeched in" as honourary Newfoundlanders.
The conference also introduced a new Exhibitor Passport initiative, encouraging delegates to visit each exhibitor throughout the event. Congratulations to Peter Holmes (Ottawa International Airport), winner of the 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points grand prize.
Celebrating Professional Achievement
F.O.A.M. 2026 also showcased IAAE Canada's ongoing commitment to professional development and accreditation.
During the conference, three accreditation candidates successfully completed their Phase Two presentations, while one candidate earned the Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation onsite, marking an important milestone in their professional journey.
The Feedback Is In
Post-conference survey results confirmed what many attendees were already saying throughout the event.
100% of respondents were satisfied with the conference overall.
84% reported being very satisfied.
Conference content received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
100% agreed the sessions offered a strong variety of perspectives and relevant topics.
94% said they plan to attend F.O.A.M. again next year.
One attendee summed it up perfectly:
"A great event. It has been a few years since I've personally attended, but the organization and quality has improved greatly. Well done!"
Thank You
IAAE Canada sincerely thanks everyone who contributed to the success of F.O.A.M. 2026, including our delegates, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers and partners.
A special thank you goes to:
Presenting Sponsor: ICC Distribution Group | PAVIX
Host Airport: St. John's International Airport (YYT)
Gold Sponsor: Tetra Tech
Silver Sponsor: ADB SAFEGATE
Bronze Sponsor: Avia NG
Photography Sponsor: Metal Pless
Coffee Break Sponsors: GeoACQ and Loomex
Your support helped make this one of the strongest F.O.A.M. conferences to date.
Looking Ahead to F.O.A.M. 2027
Planning is already underway for F.O.A.M. 2027, with IAAE Canada working toward confirming Toronto, Ontario, as next year's host city.
We're also exploring several exciting enhancements, including introducing a featured keynote speaker for the first time to further strengthen the conference experience.
To support this initiative, IAAE Canada is currently seeking a Presenting Sponsor for F.O.A.M. 2027. The successful organization will receive prominent recognition throughout the conference and the opportunity to introduce the keynote speaker.
If your organization is interested in learning more, we encourage you to request the Presenting Sponsor Package by reaching out to us at headquarters@iaaecanada.org.
Additional details, including venue confirmation, registration information and our earliest-ever early bird pricing, will be announced in the coming weeks.