More than 200 National Air Transportation Association (NATA) members recently convened in Washington, D.C. for A Capital Week for Aviation Business events, including the association’s FBO Leadership Conference, new FBO Managers Workshop, Industry Excellence Awards dinner and presentation, Day on the Hill congressional visits, Annual Meeting of the Membership and Spring Committee Meetings.
The week’s events kicked off with a luncheon for the FBO Managers Workshop. This two-day event dealt with issues faced by the general manager running an FBO, and included an airport manager perspective on airport/FBO relations workshop, nationwide trends affecting FBOs and airport relationships workshop, communicating the value of aviation businesses and the communities they support workshop and a panel discussion led by GA Infrastructure and Investment Coalition Strategy CEOs.
The FBO Leadership Conference began with a welcome lunch and keynote speech by Congressman John J. “Jimmy” Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), who praised NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne’s leadership of the association and his efforts over the years on Capitol Hill. He also urged NATA’s members to promote the legislation he sponsored to reduce unfair government competition with the private sector, including small businesses.
One of the highlights of the FBO Leadership Conference was the announcement of the release of new best practice standards for airport leases with Aeronautical Service Providers, NATA officials said. These best practices, developed in conjunction with Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), serve to facilitate long-term private investment in on-airport facilities. The leadership conference also included a panel on the future of avgas, a leadership breakfast and oil company perspective session and an inspiring presentation by Disney Institute.
NATA members spent a day blanketing Capitol Hill to promote the association’s legislative agenda. Nearly 100 NATA member company representatives met with more than 150 members of Congress and staff to discuss a wide array of federal, state and local issues.
Day on the Hill talking points included:
- Application of Commercial Taxes on Private Aviation
- Eliminating the Fuel Fraud Provision
- Freedom from Government Competition Act
- FAA Standardization
- Aviation Security
- Congressional General Aviation Caucus
“This week was replete with opportunities for our members to gain knowledge and information about the industry, as well as to bring awareness of the vital importance of their business and general aviation to Capitol Hill,” said NATA President and CEO James K. Coyne. “With the increased participation across all the week’s events, it truly was a capital week for aviation business.”
NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of general aviation businesses before the Congress and federal agencies.
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