The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) concluded its 2024 Annual Convention and Trade Show in Pittsburgh from Sept. 7-11, with over 380 attendees from 39 states and territories.
NASAO President and CEO Greg Pecoraro highlighted the event’s success in facilitating discussions on aviation policy, infrastructure, workforce development, and emerging technologies. The convention also featured collaboration with the FAA to explore improvements in airport operations and information sharing.
One of the key focuses of the convention was the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Multi-state Collaborative, a group of nearly 30 state government agencies working to develop consensus papers on AAM infrastructure and policy harmonization. The group aims to create consistency across states while accommodating unique regional needs.
In addition to discussions and trade show exhibits, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll delivered keynote addresses and NASAO members elected Martin Blake from the Indiana Department of Transportation as the new board chair for 2024-2025.
During the event, NASAO recognized various individuals and programs for their contributions to aviation. Awardees included Michael Trout of Michigan’s Department of Transportation, Georgia’s Airport Obstruction Identification Program, and Linn Smith of Michigan’s Airspace and Emerging Aviation Systems. The President’s Award was given to FAA’s Debra Sanning for strengthening the FAA’s relationship with state aviation agencies.
Upcoming NASAO conventions will be held in Anchorage, Alaska, in 2025 and Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 2026.
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