What our young professionals learned at the ACC/AAAE Symposium

Sometimes, the clearest view of the future comes from the people seeing it for the first time.

At Connico, we give emerging professionals opportunities to contribute, be seen, and grow – because when you invest early, you develop leaders who are ready when it counts. Events like the ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium offer a front-row seat to industry priorities, pivotal conversations, and the people driving change.

This year, analysts Veronica Takacs, Caleb Ponting, and Dhaval Gohil were a few of the young professionals representing Connico at the symposium. They returned inspired, better equipped to navigate the challenges ahead, and more confident in their abilities to help shape what’s next. Here's what they took away, and what it tells us about where the industry is going.

Young professionals are ready to lead

For Veronica Takacs, the conference was a chance to step up and form lasting bonds. “I talked non-stop to others for three days straight and came out with dozens of new connections,” she said. “It motivated me to know that all the people I connect with now, however young, will be industry leaders in the future.”

Caleb and Dhaval also returned feeling energized about where they’re headed and how they can contribute. They spent time with peers, clients, and seasoned aviation pros, having conversations that reinforced what we’ve long known at Connico: young professionals aren’t waiting in the wings. They’re already making a difference.

Translating sessions into project success

Each attendee brought back industry news and trends that were immediately relevant to their work. Caleb sat in on sessions about airfield construction, alternate project delivery methods, and how airlines are managing terminal programs to meet their evolving needs. “It was great to hear Tony McMichael, from the Indianapolis Airport Authority, speak about the Runway 5R-23L project that Connico was a part of during design and construction,” he said. “Seeing projects that we have worked on reflected in those conversations gave me a new level of context.”

Additionally, Dhaval toured the San Antonio International Airport, one of the projects he’s contributed to remotely. Experiencing the site firsthand helped connect his day-to-day responsibilities to the purpose behind our projects.

For Veronica, a single quote from Col. Eileen Collins – the first woman to pilot and command a Space Shuttle, and the event’s keynote speaker – changed how she viewed her role: “If you come to the meeting, you need to say something. If you are present, you are valued.”It reframed her mindset and reminded her that showing up is only half the job. Speaking up matters too, especially as a young professional.

The team also gained clarity on major shifts ahead, from anticipated FAA spec changes to a growing push for model-based deliverables. These takeaways are changing the way we think and plan as a team.

Reputation precedes you, and relationships move you

More than anything, the symposium underscored the power of relationships. From breakout sessions to a competitive scavenger hunt, every conversation reinforced Connico’s presence in the industry and provided a strong starting point for our young professionals.

“Almost everyone I encountered either knew Connico or had worked with us before,” Dhaval said. “That speaks volumes about the relationships we’ve built and the kind of work we do.”

Caleb walked the floor with Connico Vice President and CDO Dave Hunley, meeting longtime collaborators and new faces alike. That visibility matters, especially for young professionals still finding their footing. Having a team behind them that truly values integrity and collaboration makes it easier to walk in with confidence and focus on learning, not just proving themselves.

Building on momentum from the symposium

The team returned more connected, informed, and confident in their roles at Connico and across the field. That confidence wasn’t given; it was earned through experience and a company culture that doesn’t wait to hand over responsibility.

Building the future isn’t just about who’s next, it’s about who’s ready. And at Connico, we’re proud to support the growth that makes that possible.