Philadelphia International and Northeast Philadelphia Airports (PHL/PNE) hosted the 10^th Annual Business Opportunity Forum (BOF) on September 30, 2022. To learn more about the event, click here.

March 10, 2022

Philadelphia International Airport

Construction Contractor Outreach Event

On March 10, 2022 from 9:30 am - noon, the Philadelphia International Airport will host an in-person outreach session on its upcoming construction opportunity for renovation of over 30 restroom facilities in the airport. In advance of the advertisement for these opportunities, targeted for Summer 2022, PHL is hosting an information session specifically for construction contractors.

The event will include:

• Overview of the airport
• Anticipated construction project schedule and design elements
• Performance considerations important to the airport team
• Introduction to members of PHL's executive and leadership team, representing procurement, diversity, capital development, operations, maintenance, accessibility, and guest experience!

Attendance will be limited to representatives of construction firms. Details on the location of this event at the airport will be provided when your attendance is confirmed.

For an invitation, email your request to register to [email protected].

To read about the PHL Business Opportunity Forum, hosted online by Philadelphia International Airport, click here.

June 2021's PHL Cargo Town Hall focused on the efforts to expand the air cargo facility footprint and triple its cargo building square footage, which will have a significant economic impact on the region and cement Philadelphia's status as an intermodal logistics hub. Listen to the recording and read more about cargo expansion here.

You can view a recording of the Town Hall here.

In an effort to expand the airport’s contractor base and open opportunities to more diverse firms, PHL’s Office of Business Diversity and Capital Development Group have scheduled a series of virtual roundtable networking sessions for Minority, Women, Diversity Business Enterprises (M/W/DBE). 

Read More

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) hosted the Business Opportunity Forum (BOF), the airport's annual event that gives representatives of large, small, minority-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises and organizations the opportunity to learn about the state of the airport and future contracting opportunities, and to network with peers, resource partners, and airport leaders. More than 500 people attended this year's virtual BOF. Read more here.

PHL Airport hosted its annual Business Opportunity Forum (BOF) on October 4, 2019, in partnership with the City’s Minority Enterprise Development Week (MEDWeek). This partnership further supports the advancement of the Airport’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive business environment. This year the Forum, entitled “Making Winning Connections” included a change in format to encourage more networking, roundtable sessions, and a dedicated panel discussion featuring PHL related M/WBE success stories. For more event highlights, visit the press release here.

On Wednesday, February 13, 2019, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) held a three-hour Business Capacity Workshop titled: Responding to PHL’s Professional Service Requests for Proposals, to help minority and diverse businesses better understand the process for responding to RFPs. The objective of this workshop was to expand participant’s knowledge and skills in preparing a responsible and responsive proposal, and to give participants a guided overview of the RFP preparation and evaluation process.

The program included an overview of PHL, its Diversity Goals, and Small Business Initiatives; information on upcoming and ongoing PHL Opportunities; advice on finding RFP Opportunities; and instructions on responding to RFPs. Sixteen participants (representing 14 organizations) attended, gaining tips and techniques for writing winning proposals from the PHL Leadership Team and PHL Professional Service Firm representatives. The workshop included a continental breakfast and an opportunity to network with PHL staff and other participants.

Workshop evaluations indicated the session was well received. All participants agreed that the workshop met their expectations, information presented was useful and relevant, length of time was appropriate, and they would recommend the workshop to others.

When asked what they liked best about the workshop, participant responses included the following comments: 

“A third-party POV [point of view] of the RFP”, “Great ‘real life’ examples to demonstrate the information presented”, “Frank discussions about relevant experiences”, “Ability to ask questions”, “Having the procurement reviewer available for Q&A”, “Addressed both roles (prime & subs) when reviewing & submitting”.

Responding to PHL’s Professional Service Requests for Proposals was the first PHL Business Capacity Workshop for 2019. Look for additional workshops to help with your goals to do (more) business with PHL Airport in the near future.

PHL Airport, in collaboration with the Temple University Small Business Development Center (TU SBDC) and the City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce’s Philadelphia Business Lending Network held a business capacity building workshop on December 4, 2018 at Temple University Center City. The objective of this workshop, “Financial Strategies for Success – Access to Capital and Cash Flow”, was to inform participants about the short-term and long-term considerations for capital when working on a PHL Airport project and to provide information about relevant financial programs, products, and services.

Continental breakfast and networking began at 8:00 AM. The workshop presentation began at 8:40 AM with welcome remarks from Toyin Ogunfolaju, Global Program Partners (GPP). Maura Shenker, Executive Director of Temple University Small Business Development Center, provided an overview of TU SBDC.

The day started with a networking exchange breakfast, to support the fact that many small diverse companies begin working on Airport contracts by joining teams led by larger firms. After breakfast, presenters on two panels reviewed PHL’s growing list of small business initiatives, new procurement methods, and provided the results of attracting new firms over the past year.

Close to half of the attendees commented on the evaluation form that information on Small Business Tax Planning and PHL Programs and Opportunities were the best part of the session. Attendees who completed an evaluation agreed that the information presented was useful and relevant.

This workshop is one in a series of business diversity programming hosted by PHL Airport for small and diverse businesses in the Greater Philadelphia area. For more information, contact the PHL Office of Business Diversity at [email protected].

On September 24th, PHL Airport hosted its sixth annual Business Opportunity Forum, and partnered with the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to launch the City’s Minority Enterprise Development Week (MEDWeek). Many PHL employees played a major role in this event either on the planning team, or as presenters or volunteers. Mayor Jim Kenney was among the special guest speakers that included Congressman Dwight Evans, Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Iola Harper, Deputy Director of Commerce for the City of Philadelphia.

Mayor Kenney told the more than 400 attendees, “This Forum plays an integral role in the Airport’s approach to supporting the region’s diverse business community. It’s one-stop shopping where entrepreneurs can tap into the many opportunities at PHL and become part of the Airport’s vibrant business community.”

The day started with a networking exchange breakfast, to support the fact that many small diverse companies begin working on Airport contracts by joining teams led by larger firms. After breakfast, presenters on two panels reviewed PHL’s growing list of small business initiatives, new procurement methods, and provided the results of attracting new firms over the past year.

“The opportunities for businesses of all sizes at a major airport like ours are substantial and diverse,” CEO Chellie Cameron said. “This Forum is ideal for businesses and individuals to learn about PHL’s capital improvement projects and business diversity programs. It is exciting for the Airport to present new initiatives as we work to increase the number and diversity of our partners.” Ms. Cameron continued, “I am grateful to the many PHL employees who help make this event a success.”

Other valuable information provided to attendees was a listing of upcoming projects and potential contract opportunities. You can see these lists of projects by going to PHL Airport's Capital Development site - https://www.phl.org/about/cdp - and selecting “Project Updates” at the top of the page or select “Opportunities” to see potential contract opportunities. The website provides highlights on Capital Development's progress and the Airport’s outreach to diverse businesses.

PHL Airport, in collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic Small Business Transportation Resource Center, Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), PhilaPort, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), held a business capacity building workshop on June 1, 2018, at the Enterprise Center in Philadelphia. The workshop - “Doing Business with Regional Transportation Agencies” - was designed to provide emerging M/W/DBEs with information about upcoming contracting opportunities, navigational tips on how to find and respond to these opportunities and diversity goals, as well as provide an intimate forum to meet members of each agency’s procurement team.

The continental breakfast and networking session, attended by 48 participants representing 36 firms, included welcome remarks from Sharon Jean-Baptiste, Global Program Partners and a safety moment from Della Clark, President, The Enterprise Center. Joe Messina, Acting Chief Administrative Officer for PHL Airport, provided opening remarks and an overview of PHL Airport. Other presenters included Kathleen Padilla, Director, Office of Business Diversity at PHL; Nathan Heitzman, DBE Program Specialist at SEPTA; Marian Keating, Manager of Contract Grants Compliance at SEPTA: Toni Brown, Chief Administrative Officer at DRPA; Adrian Kent, DEB/SBE Certification Equal Opportunity Specialist at PennDOT; and Kate Bailey, Director of Procurement at PhilaPort.

This workshop is one in a series of business diversity programming hosted by PHL Airport for small and diverse businesses in the Greater Philadelphia area. For more information, contact the PHL Office of Business Diversity at [email protected].

The Philadelphia International Airport’s Office of Business Diversity, PHL Capital Development, PHL Procurement Administration Unit, and Marketplace PHL held a business capacity building workshop entitled “Preparing for Capital Project Opportunities at PHL Airport” on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at International Plaza One. This workshop was designed to provide small businesses and emerging M/W/DBEs in the capital infrastructure arena with an overview of PHL capital project opportunities, as well as an understanding of how to identify and prepare for these opportunities.

There were 32 workshop participants representing 25 firms. The participants provided overwhelming positive feedback saying the workshop was not only useful and relevant to them, but that they would recommend the workshop to other eligible firms in the future. Networking opportunities were also highlighted as a positive feature of the session.

The morning event covered a range of topics including: Diversity Objectives for Capital Project Procurement, Where to find PHL Opportunities and Upcoming Opportunities, Marketplace PHL Construction Opportunities and Understanding PHL’s Unique Working Requirements. Sessions covering tips for success and small business element were covered as well. Executives made presentations from PHL, Marketplace PHL and Global Program Partners.

Business Capacity Building workshops are held regularly. For additional information contact PHL’s Office of Business Diversity at [email protected].