Biography

John D. Kasarda is President and CEO of Aerotropolis Business Concepts LLC, President of The Aerotropolis Institute China, and Founding Editor-in-Chief of Logistics, an international scholarly journal. Dr. Kasarda is also a faculty member of the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. He has published more than 100 articles and ten books on airport cities, aviation infrastructure, urban economic development, and competitiveness. He is frequently quoted in The Wall Street JournalThe New York TimesBloomberg Business Week, and international media. Dr. Kasarda has offered numerous executive programs on air logistics, firm siting, global supply-chain management, and airport area commercial development to multinational firms such as Boeing, Airbus, FedEx, Lufthansa, DHL, Thai Airways International, Caterpillar Logistics, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Prudential Real Estate, Bank of America and Deloitte & Touche. He also chairs the annual Airport Cities World Conference and Exhibition and has been an adviser to airports and governments around the globe. Under his leadership, the Kenan Institute was named the world’s top air logistics educational institution by The International Air Cargo Association for its work on airports and economic development.

Dr. Kasarda received his B.S. and M.B.A. (with Distinction) from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He has been the recipient of many grants and awards from such organizations as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, World Bank, National Science Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, the United Nations Development Program, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Dr. Kasarda has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his research on airport-driven economic development and a Senior Fellow and Trustee of the Urban Land Institute. He is considered the leading developer of the Aerotropolis concept defining the roles of aviation and airports in shaping 21st century business location, urban competitiveness, and economic growth. In 2011, Time magazine named Aerotropolis “One of the Ten Ideas that Will Change the World.” In 2013, Future Cities magazine named Kasarda among “The Top 100 City Innovators Worldwide.” That same year he was awarded the honorary medal of Brazil’s State of Minas Gerais for his contributions to the Belo Horizonte Aerotropolis. In 2016, Dr. Kasarda received the Yellow River Prize for his contributions to the economic development of China’s Henan Province.

Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Booksby John Kasarda

Aerotropolis: The Way We'll Live Next

Blog Posts

How a Simple Apology Can Spark Healing and Mental Health Conversations

Learn how a heartfelt apology shared by Johnny Crowder can help you break stigma and ignite life-changing conversations about mental health and self-compassion.

Read More

An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

Explore how former NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao’s experiences in space unlock insights on leadership, innovation, and resilience for teams on Earth.

Read More

The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Find out how event personalization, AI-driven insights, and interactive storytelling are revolutionizing keynote speeches with business futurist Greg Verdino.

Read More

The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a shift that happens the moment someone laughs. Shoulders loosen. The room lightens. The noise of the outside world fades just...

Read More

Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Discover Wendy Porter’s proven WPE Planning Process for crafting live, virtual, and hybrid events that foster genuine connections, boost engagement, and drive ROI.

Read More

The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because inclusion is no longer a box to check; it’s a culture to create. From boardrooms to classrooms, arenas to virtual...

Read More

Related Speakers

Reviews & Ratings

Here's how toHit the mark with the perfect speaker!

1. Schedule a call

We’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.

2. Book your speaker

We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.

3. Wow your audience

Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.

Schedule a Call

Blog Posts

 

How a Simple Apology Can Spark Healing and Mental Health Conversations

Imagine if a single, mental health–focused apology could dismantle stigma, validate someone’s pain, and launch...

Read More

An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

In the boundless vacuum of space, leaders face challenges that dwarf anything encountered on Earth....

Read More

The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Imagine a keynote at your next event that feels designed just for your audience—where every...

Read More

The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a...

Read More

Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Imagine stepping into an event where every detail is designed to foster genuine human connection—from...

Read More

The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because...

Read More