Heath Montgomery Media Relations Ph. (303) 342-2295 Recorded media line: (303) 342-2280 Pager (emergencies only): (303) 342-2288 [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Denver International Hosts Aerotropolis Americas Conference and Exhibition The Mile High City Welcomes 350 Airport Development and Real Estate Professionals from Around the World to Global Conference

DENVER — Dec. 4, 2014 — Denver International Airport (DEN) will welcome hundreds of industry leaders from , governments, real estate, land development and other sectors as it hosts the second-annual Aerotropolis Americas Conference and Exhibition from Dec. 8-10. Last year the conference was held in Dallas.

Aerotropolis Americas is the defining annual event for the global airport development and real estate communities. The three-day conference and exhibition explores the aerotropolis concept, which includes planning for development and around airports to help drive economic development in a particular region.

“Denver International Airport is the perfect host for this important global conference, as the airport is positioned to further drive economic development in the Denver region through Colorado’s own aerotropolis,” said Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day. “The conference will offer a closer look at our vision for optimizing the fifth-busiest airport in the United States, and its connection with surrounding communities through innovative transit-oriented development, aviation-linked and community partnerships.”

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock will welcome conference attendees and speak about progress being made at DEN, which is currently exploring its own aerotropolis concept in collaboration with regional partners. The land surrounding the airport and the rail-linked route between the airport and downtown Denver’s Union Station comprise one of the most compelling commercial investment opportunities in the country. Mayor Hancock will also participate in a panel discussing the importance of air connectivity to the Denver region, and how a greater aerotropolis can stimulate economic development for the benefit of the entire region.

“The conference is an opportunity to highlight the great things happening in this region. Participation in the conference will allow us to promote the unique economic development potential surrounding Denver International Airport,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “While the airport is the center of this development, it’s the many regional assets that contribute to this opportunity. Leveraging our assets like FasTracks, the skilled and talented regional workforce, research facilities and more will help to generate interest in this area so that other businesses will relocate, grow and invest in the region.”

International experts from a cross-section of the industry will share their knowledge and best practices, as airport project leaders from across the Americas and beyond will engage in innovative session formats that include onstage interviews, flash reports, think-tanks and interactive panel discussions.

The conference also provides a learning platform for real estate developers and professionals, planners who are active in airport development, economic development agencies, suppliers and solution providers, cargo and logistics operators, airport executives and managers, and others interested in development in and around airports.

MEDIA REGISTRATION: WHAT: Aerotropolis Americas Conference and Exhibition WHEN: Dec. 8-10 WHERE: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street MEDIA REGISTRATION: Please contact us at [email protected] to register for the conference. The registration includes the conference sessions, but not networking events such as the opening ceremony and gala dinner.

SELECT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

DECEMBER 8 2 p.m. Professor John D. Kasarda, director of the Center for Air at the University of North Carolina, will lead a series of two pre-conference workshops that will offer a full understanding of the airport city and aerotropolis concepts. The foundation and intermediate/ advanced sessions will cover principals, central tenants, cases, challenges, and strategies for successful airport city and aerotropolis development.

DECEMBER 9 8:30 a.m. Host welcome by Mayor Michael B. Hancock

8:45 a.m. Get a primer on the aerotropolis concept at “Framing the Aerotropolis,” led by Professor John D. Kasarda, director of the Centre for Air Commerce at the University of North Carolina

9:15 a.m. Mayor Hancock will participate in a panel discussion about the importance of air connectivity to the region

1:45 p.m. Keynote presentation by Dr. Tony Frank, President of Colorado State University

DECEMBER 10 9 a.m. Join Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day for an update about the airport, including insights into Denver’s aerotropolis development strategy

1:30 p.m. Join an interactive session that explores the various viewpoints about the development opportunities provided by an aerotropolis concept

Click here for a complete schedule of events.

Denver International Airport is the 15th-busiest airport in the world and the fifth-busiest airport in the United States. With more than 52 million passengers traveling through the airport each year, DIA is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world’s largest aviation . DIA is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $26 billion for the region annually. For more information visit, check us out on YouTube and Pinterest, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. ###

Release 14-096