AAAE is the largest professional organization for airport executives in the world, representing thousands of airport management personnel at public use airports nationwide. The American Association of Airport Executives' primary goal is to assist airport executives in fulfilling their responsibilities to the airports and communities they serve. AAAE membership is truly representative of airport management throughout the country. It places equal emphasis on large and small airport concerns, reflecting a membership comprised of executives from large and medium size airports, as well as hundreds of managers from smaller airports used exclusively by general aviation or commuter airlines. AAAE was founded in 1928 to represent airport management throughout the United States. Each year since its founding, AAAE has held an annual meeting to bring airport managers together to discuss the latest problems and issues facing the industry. In 1954, the annual conference expanded to include exhibitors of airport services, products and equipment.