NABWIC Billion Dollar Luncheon in Aviation Contracting Opportunities featured presenters showcasing billion-dollar programs in Aviation Opportunities from Miami and Denver International Airports. Attendees met prime engineering firms, small businesses, and agency decision-makers. They learned about program opportunities and how to access to them. They also honored the NABWIC 2023 Billion Dollar Luncheon "Woman-In-The-Spotlight", SHELBY M. SCALES. 

Scales’ career in small business development and diversity inclusion spans 25 years, most recently as Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) for the U.S. Department of Transportation. She is the former Director of the Office of Civil Rights with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and served as President & CEO of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). Early in her career as the Small Business Program Officer for Raleigh-Durham International Airport, she began its Historically Underutilized Business Program serving minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as the Small Emerging Business Assistant Loan Program for airport concessionaires. Scales is the recipient of numerous honors, including recognition from the Federal Aviation Administration for her leadership in promoting improvements for DBE programs.

Currently Shelby is the Vice President, Strategic Alliances for the global restaurateur HMSHost, a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. In this role, she leads HMSHost’s relationships with Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners and other woman- and minority-owned businesses.

Global Impact Agency provided Virtual Event Producer services