MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL AIRPORT RECEIVES TRAINING for EMPLOYEES TO RECOGNIZE AND REPORT SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Tuesday, January 23, 2017. 12:00 Noon – 1:30 PM at Commission Chambers, MSP Airport.
TRAINING HOSTS: Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
On Tuesday, January 23rd AAI conducted its 8th annual pre-Super Bowl Training to raise awareness of MSP Airport, hotel and travel industry personnel before the Super Bowl. Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) has led global airline industry awareness for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) since 2010 and developed the first industry specific training after correctly identifying trafficking on four airlines. This was AAI’s 67th airport training.
Roy Fuhrman VP Metropolitan Airports Commission will welcome the group and Senator Amy Kobuchar provided the video message above. Remarks by MSP Airport Police Detective, Mari Askerooth, Terry Williams from the Women’s Foundation, and Joe Foster, Director of Security for Minneapolis Hilton Hotel opened the training to raise awareness of airport/airline personnel.
Every year, adults and children are being trafficked through Minnesota airports. The United States and the State of Minnesota have laws to protect victims and penalize perpetrators of human trafficking, which is commonly defined as people profiting from the exploitation of others, controlling them by force, fraud, or coercion.
Sex trafficking survivor, Donna Hubbard shared her riveting story as part of the presentation. Donna is a trainer for Airline Ambassadors and now runs Women at the Well Transition Center to help women like herself pull their lives together. She works as a flight attendant for a major airline and her testimony makes the training come alive.
Other trainers included Marie Rivard, an employee of the Hilton Hotels and active on the Civil Society Super Bowl Committee as well as Kavita Nanavati, Mrs. Maryland, and a recruiter for Mesa Airlines. The training was well received by all. See Times Herald Article HERE
LAS VEGAS McCarran Airport Training January 30, 2018
Kudos to McCarran Las Vegas International Airport for their leading edge commitment to combat human trafficking. Signage throughout the airport and even in airport bathrooms give the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
On January 30 AAI provided training at Las Vegas McCarran Airport to 134 badged employees. This was our second training in Las Vegas and the room was packed….and there was standing room only. Airport Director, Rosemary Vassiliadis opened the training, followed by remarks by DHS Representative Michael Harris. Nancy Rivard gave an overview, then trainers Teresa Garza, Alicia Kozakeiwicz and Tammy Meade provided training and Alicia especially riveted the crowd. Peggy Durfey, a former AA Agent and AAI trainer provided insights and comments as well and arranged all logistics
The day before the training our team visited with Nevada Child Seekers and FREE International to learn about local efforts to locate missing children and support trafficking victims like The Big Search One of the needs was for 30 suitcases for the recovered children….at thank you to McCarran Dufry representative agreed to meet the entire Wish List offering assistance to this community initiative. The team also had a little fun at the Hofbrau House in Las Vegas. 
QUOTES FROM OFFICIALS AND EVENT HOSTS At MSP
Roy Fuhrmann, Chief Operating Officer MSP Airport
“The U.S. State Dept. has determined that transportation professionals are among the best-placed to identify trafficking situations. We are proud of the commitment of our MSP Airport Police to train all front line personnel to recognize and report indicators of human trafficking.”
Terry Williams, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
“The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota knows that sex trafficking happens every single day of the year—not because of any one event like the Super Bowl. That’s why we are thrilled to support this expanded effort to raise awareness of the issue among the airline industry, so that 365 days a year, airport and airline employees will be at the front line of reporting suspicious activity that may involve sex trafficking.”
Joe Foster, Director of Safety & Security Hilton Minneapolis
As a hotelier it is very important that we train our entire staff, not just security, to recognize and report the exploitation of children and adults. We are proud to be part of an industry that has the ability to help people in this way.
Marie Rivard, AAI Trainer, Super Bowl Committee Hilton employee
“As a Hilton employee and part of the Civil Society Super Bowl Committee I am honored to be part of this effort to raise awareness at the MSP airport.
Donna Hubbard, AAI Trainer, Flight attendant, Human Trafficking survivor
“It’s really important for all the first responders and frontline responders to be on the same page. In order for that to happen the training must have continuity and be standardized: everyone is getting the same information. We all need to get the same information the same way, know where to report it and what information is important for us to keep track of.”
Kavita Nanavati, AAI Trainer Mrs. Maryland, Mesa Airlines Recruiter
“As a flight attendant and airline crew member, I realize the importance of being able to properly identify and report instances of Human Trafficking. Many years ago, I suspected seeing someone being trafficked, and felt helpless because I didn’t know what to do or whom to contact. I wish I knew then what I know now, and as part of my philanthropic platform, I want to share this knowledge with others, and hopefully save innocent lives in the process.”
Greg Bristol, President Human Trafficking Investigations and Training Institute (HTITI)
“As first responders, police officers play a critical role in uncovering human trafficking which often appears as domestic violence, labor disputes, or prostitution. Once formerly trained, police officers inside and outside airports have the opportunity to identify and arrest the traffickers .
Nancy Rivard, President, Airline Ambassadors
“Trafficking increases around major sporting events, and it is debatable how much. We believe that human trafficking is a 365 day a year problem, and are using this opportunity to raise awareness. Trained airport and travel industry personnel can be our first line of defense and trained personnel will give traffickers the message – MSP Airport is NOT a place to do business”
