Atlanta, United States - UNITAR in partnership with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), has launched the regional workshop "Future-Ready Airports: Preparedness for Mega Events Through Safety, Sustainability, and Smart Innovation." The two-day training workshop takes place on 22 April at the Georgia Tech campus and 23 April at ATL's Emergency Operations Center, bringing together airport authorities and key stakeholders ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico,
Major sporting events take place around the globe, drawing tens of thousands of international travellers, placing pressure on cities and airport infrastructure, brining challenges and opportunities. Airports will serve as the critical first and last touchpoints for fans, athletes, and dignitaries, and their capacity to absorb massive passenger surges while maintaining safety and security, digital continuity, and environmental commitments will directly determine the success of these historic gatherings.
As a primary 2026 FIFA World Cup host city and home to the world's busiest airport, Atlanta offers an unparalleled live-learning environment. The workshop takes place just weeks before the World Cup kicks off, providing participants with immediate, actionable knowledge at precisely the moment it is most needed.
About the Programme
This workshop is part of UNITAR's Airports Global Training Programme , a flagship initiative aligned with the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035). The Programme is built on four interconnected pillars, Smart Airports, Resilient Airports, Inclusive Airports, and Sustainable Airports, and is designed to equip airport and aviation leaders with strategies and practical tools to navigate technological modernisation, climate resilience, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
The programme is delivered by UNITAR in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology and in collaboration with the International Training Centres for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in Atlanta (United States), Merida (Mexico), Miami (United States), and in York (Canada).
Workshop Themes
The workshop is structured around four priority themes directly linked to mega-event preparedness:
- IT and Cybersecurity: Strengthening digital infrastructure, securing passenger and operational management systems, protecting biometric data, and maintaining operational continuity against targeted cyber threats during peak event periods.
- Safety and Security Preparedness: Enhancing emergency response plans, crowd management, and inter-agency coordination to mitigate physical threats during high-capacity, high-profile periods.
- Sustainability Practices: Promoting energy efficiency, resource optimisation, and environmentally responsible operations, ensuring that massive capacity spikes do not compromise environmental commitments.
- Exchange of Good Practices: Facilitating knowledge sharing and lessons learned from international mega-events, including Atlanta's own Olympic legacy and Super Bowl hosting experience, to build institutional capacity and foster cross-border collaboration among 2026 and 2028 host airports. Experiences from Canada, Germany and Mexico in hosting major sporting events will also be shared throughout the workshop.
Site Visits
Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL)
- Described as the "brain" of aviation at Georgia Tech, this lab is one of the largest systems design labs in the world and works directly with the FAA and major airlines. It is key for strategic fleet planning and future aircraft designs, visualizing concepts like "Urban Air Mobility" (UAM) and vertiports that will reshape airport infrastructure.
Supply Chain & Logistics Institute (SCL)
- This is the world's largest logistics research center within a university and a critical location for operations and air cargo discussions. It houses the "Physical Internet Center" and demonstrates supply chain optimization simulations that connect airports with ground networks.
- This facility is relevant for "Green Airports" and sustainability strategies. As the most sustainable building in the Southeast U.S., its net-positive water and solar energy systems offer replicable models for decarbonizing airport terminals.
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
- This facility is relevant for "Green Airports" and sustainability strategies. As the most sustainable building in the Southeast U.S., its net-positive water and solar energy systems offer replicable models for decarbonizing airport terminals.
Who Should Attend
The workshop is designed for senior airport and aviation professionals, including:
