LAX Business Inclusivity Networking Event Lowers Barriers to Entry for Local Minority Businesses

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) recently partnered to host a local networking event to grow opportunities for minority businesses at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The LAX Business Inclusivity Networking Event — sponsored by the Advance Network, a URW Airports initiative — brought together experienced minority airport business owners, concessions operators and contractors to help local minority business owners and entrepreneurs learn how to get into LAX and advance their business journeys in the airport and across the industry.

"We are working together to help more minority businesses not just get in the door at LAX, but to give them the support to thrive when they get here," said Christopher Adkins, director of URW's Advance Network. "We believe in airports being open and accessible to local communities, and events like these make a real difference as we help launch and support more wholly owned and operated minority and female businesses in the airport."

“Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is strongly committed to creating an equitable and inclusive airport, which is why we actively recruit and support small, local and disadvantaged businesses who want to do business with LAX,” said Justin Erbacci, chief executive officer, LAWA. “From retailers and restaurateurs to architectural, construction and engineering firms, we’re working with our partners to eliminate barriers and create economic opportunities that position businesses for success.”

Local entrepreneurs and business owners who attended the event learned about the wide range of business opportunities at LAX, how to become Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certified and what to expect while operating in the airport environment. Minority and women-owned airport business owners shared advice and offered their support to prospective businesses.

"It is so rewarding to see experienced minority and women-owned businesses working with LAX and URW to advance the full participation of employment and contracting opportunities for our diverse businesses," said Eboni Wimbush, AMAC president & CEO. "Success requires us to listen, learn and work together to help new businesses not only get into the airport but to thrive and give back to help the next generation of minority business owners."

URW launched the Advance Network in 2017 to grow and support diverse participation and new opportunities in the communities it serves including LAX, JFK, ORD and across the airports industry.