International Airline
CEO Conference History

In early 1993 the seed of an idea was sown by one of AvMan's clients, World Fuel Services, suggesting that we organize a meeting of Latin American CEOs to discuss changes in the Latin American marketplace.

Major changes were taking place... American Airlines had acquired the Latin American routes from Eastern Airlines which had acquired them from Braniff in the early 1980s. American was changing the nature of the competition in the region with high frequency service, a frequent flyer program and a very aggressive approach to the market. The idea was to provide a forum for the Latin American carriers to agree to work together.

The theme established for the first Conference was "The Miami Opportunity - Reality or Mirage". The success of that first conference set the stage and tone for the next 12 conferences. Several specific goals were achieved over the succeeding years, among these the formation of LatinPass by 16 Latin American carriers; the joint effort by three airlines in the region to get together and negotiate the largest aircraft order in the history of the region and most recently AITAL's decision to establish its regional headquarters in Miami.

"During the thirteen annual conferences to date we have averaged 24 CEOs, 30 + airlines and more than 300 delegates each conference. Keynote speakers have included Bob Crandall, David Neeleman, Gordon Bethune, Leo Mullin and many others. The CEO Panel of half a dozen key players from the region has always been one of the highlights, providing an opportunity for active debate with the audience and among the CEOs themselves".

During the 13th conference, a marketing alliance with the Cannes Airline Forum was announced and a close working relationship formed with the CAF organizers to not only cross promote the two conferences, but to focus growth in a global direction.

The CAF was born in 1992 (the first CEO Conference was in 1994) and has paralleled the CEO Conference in format, size and focus. The CAF is held each year in late October at the Cannes Intercontinental Carlton Hotel and this year's dates are October 26th–28th.

Conference History:

14th International Airline CEO Conference
April 30-May 2, 2006,
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, Florida

13th International Airline CEO Conference
"Turnaround Time"
May 8-10, 2005
The Fountainebleau Resort, Miami Beach, Florida

12th International Airline CEO Conference
"Where The Action Is"
May 2-4, 2004
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida

11th International Airline CEO Conference
"Survival 101"
May 4-6, 2003
The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida

10th International Airline CEO Conference
"Back to the Future"
May 12-14, 2002
Sonesta Beach Resort Hotel, Key Biscayne, Florida

9th International Airline CEO Conference
" The Best is Yet to Come"
May 13-15, 2001
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida

8th International Airline CEO Conference
"Alliances, Mergers & Acquistions, or Alternative Strategies"
May 7-9, 2000
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios Escape, Orlando, Florida

7th International Airline CEO Conference
"Alliances - One Way or Another"
May 2-4, 1999
Sonesta Beach Resort Hotel, Key Biscayne, Florida

6th International Airline CEO Conference
"Capitalizing The Global Airline"
April 26-28, 1998
Grand Floridian, Orlando, Florida

5th International Airline CEO Conference
"Globalization - Hit or Myth?"
April 20-22, 1997
Sonesta Beach Resort Hotel, Key Biscayne, Florida

4th International Airline CEO Conference
"The Turnaround-Fizzle or Fix"
March 10-23, 1996
Casa Piedra, Satiago de Chile

3rd International Airline CEO Conference
"Latin America Bubble or Lasting Growth"
June 2-3, 1995
Sonesta Beach Resort Hotel, Key Biscayne, Florida

2nd International Airline CEO Conference
"Where The Action Is"
May 19-20, 1994
Hyatt Regency International Airport Hotel, Orlando, Florida

1st International Airline CEO Conference
"The Miami Opportunity - Reality or Mirage"
August 22-23, 1993
Hyatt Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida