Washington, DC, June 21, 2019 – The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) convened its fifth Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference at the Grand Hyatt Washington this week, June 17-19. Attendance at the annual event exceeded previous years, driven in part by an agenda addressing opportunities and issues facing the aviation business community.
The NATA awards luncheon recognized, among others, former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Executive Director of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) Dorenda Baker and presented its highest awards to long-time aviation business leader Don Campion, President of Banyan Air Service, and NATA Director Emeritus and former Association President Martin (Marty) H. Hiller.
The Day on the Hill, a key event of the conference, was kicked off by a panel of industry experts, discussing how to be an effective GA advocate. “I want to personally thank our members for participating in this year’s Hill Day. Although passage of a major reauthorization bill in the last Congress represented a major win for our industry, we continue to face many pressing policy issues. When NATA company business leaders meet with Members of Congress, and especially with their staff, they bring an important local perspective and amplify the efforts of our government affairs staff,” stated NATA President Gary Dempsey.
Other conference highlights included keynote speeches by FAA Executive Director of Flight Standards Ricardo “Rick” Domingo and U.S. Department of Commerce Director, Office of Business Liaison, Patrick Wilson, as well as panel discussions and presentations covering a wide range of topics from ground handling safety and the evolution of aviation technology to the future of aircraft management and aircraft cybersecurity and connectivity.
“We are pleased by the continued growth of this unique and timely event for aviation businesses. This year’s conference provided opportunities for our members to interact, share ideas and express their concerns on vital issues like recruiting and retaining the rising workforce, addressing the risks of Diesel Exhaust Fluid, and combatting illegal charter activities. NATA and its committee and task force members are proud of this platform to highlight our important work in not only addressing these issues, but identifying and getting ahead of potential challenges,” Dempsey added.
The conference was sponsored by: Air BP, Atlantic Aviation, Chubb Insurance, Net Jets, Phillips 66, and World Fuel Services. NATA also recognizes other member companies and industry partners for supporting various conference events, including Aeroplex Group Partners, Air Charter Guide, Assured Partners, Aviation Management Consulting Group, Capital Bank, Duncan Aviation, Executive Jet Management, Hill Aircraft & Leasing Corp., Jet Aviation, Lynx FBO Network, Pentastar Aviation, Priester Aviation, Naples Airport Authority, NATA Compliance Services, NATA Safety 1st, PartnerShip, Porter County Regional Airport, Ross Aviation, Signature Flight Support, SkyMark Refuelers, Solairus Aviation, Sonoma Jet Center, Stuart Jet Center, and TAC Air.
Save the date for NATA’s Aviation Leadership Conference, taking place November 5-6 at the MGM National Harbor just outside Washington, DC.