One way to support the future of our industry is to get involved in efforts to make scholarships available to students.  That’s the goal of the Southeastern Airport Managers’ Association (SAMA) Educational Foundation, Inc.  

At the SEC-AAAE Conference in Birmingham, you’re invited to support this cause in a fun and rewarding way.  SAMA will be hosting a Silent Auction and all you have to do is stop by the table at the host hotel and place a bid on one or more of the packages being offered.  

Among the packages up for auction:

• Beach package, Gulf Shores, AL 
  • Two-night stay at the beach, 1 round of golf for 4 people with a golf cart, $50 gift certificate to LuLu’s, beach blanket, gift certificate to Desoto and other local items to help jazz up your beach trip
• Concert Package, Huntsville, Al
  • Concert tickets to Styx/Foreigner at the new Orion Amphitheater in August, 2024 (recently recognized in Rolling Stone as a new world-class outdoor concert venue), Uber gift card for transportation to and from the concert, 3-nights at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, dinner and drinks at the Grille at the Four Points by Sheraton, tickets to the US Space and Rocket Center

• Charlotte, NC (2025 SEC-AAAE Host) 
  • Registration to 2025 SEC-AAAE Annual Conference in Charlotte, spouse registration, hotel accommodations (single room)
     
• Patty Wagstaff Aerobatic Experience
  • A flight on Patty’s Extra 300L in St. Augustine, FL, low level beach tour

This SEC-AAAE Scholarship Program rewards the academic achievements of college Juniors and Seniors who are pursuing a career in Aviation.  It also provides an annual scholastic scholarship to a college or university in each state originally represented by the Southeastern Airport Managers Association (SAMA).  Those states include Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

To be eligible, students must demonstrate a financial need, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the major subject field of aviation, and have a strong career interest in aviation, preferably airport management. Applicants must go through an independent vetting process and include a recommendation from a professor, school official, or advisor.