Former Maryland aviation leader joins regional leaders for the ATL Airport Chamber’s annual meeting on October 30.
(ATLANTA – October 11, 2026) — A familiar name to Baltimore and Maryland audiences will be among the featured speakers at the ATL Airport Chamber’s 2026 Annual Meeting: State of the Airport Forum.
Ricky Smith, now general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, previously served as executive director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration, overseeing BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport. His Maryland leadership provides a hometown connection to the conversation about Atlanta’s aviation and economic future.
The forum takes place Friday, October 30, 2026, from noon to 1:30 p.m. ET at the Hilton Atlanta Airport.
According to the Chamber’s announcement, the gathering will bring together business leaders, corporate partners, municipal leaders, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders to discuss aviation, transportation, infrastructure, and economic growth.
The event flyer lists these featured speakers:
- Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta
- Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia
- Carmenlita Scott, President and CEO, ATL Airport Chamber
- Ricky Smith, General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Jonathan Hunt, General Manager and CEO, MARTA
For BMORENews readers, Smith’s participation offers an opportunity to follow a former Maryland aviation leader as he helps guide another major transportation hub. The forum also puts attention on how airports connect businesses, communities, and regional investment.
Reserve a seat or secure a table: State of the Airport Forum registration.
