Organization Hopes To Attract Opinion Leaders, General
Public
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association will host its inaugural AOPA Aviation Summit this
November in Tampa. The Association's annual convention and trade
show will take place at the Tampa Convention Center November 5-7
with everything the general aviation community has come to expect -
a packed exhibition hall, safety forums, scores of aircraft on
display - and more.
"AOPA's annual convention has traditionally been the place for
our members to come and learn about what's going on in the aviation
world," said AOPA President and CEO Craig L. Fuller. "But this year
we're expanding our reach. We want opinion leaders, decision
makers, and the general public to come to the AOPA Aviation Summit
as well, and to learn more about general aviation."
AOPA continues to build collaborative relationships with leaders
involved in general aviation to help explain how GA serves America,
and why it is vital to the country's success. Many of those
leaders, from other associations, industry, and the government,
will be at the Summit to speak - and to listen.
More than 500 exhibitor booths are planned, displaying
everything from aviation collectibles to avionics, engines and
airframes. And in the middle of it all will be a center stage where
attendees can listen to industry leaders or watch product
demonstrations. Visitors will also find the educational
opportunities that past AOPA conventions have been so well known
for, covering everything from safety of flight issues to medical
issues to flying more frugally. In addition, there will be forums
and roundtables that will continue the themes of the morning Summit
sessions.
At nearby Peter O. Knight Airport, visitors will see a wider
variety of general aviation aircraft than has ever been on display
before, and AOPA's "Let's Go Flying" Sweepstakes grand prize for
this year is a 2005 Cirrus SR-22.
There will also be a display area dedicated to public benefit
flying, including volunteer pilot organizations and agencies such
as the U.S. Coast Guard. There will even be a display of tethered
hot air balloons. As in past years, the aircraft display area is
free and open to the public. "This year, though, we are
deliberately reaching out to the people of the bay area," said
Fuller. "Saturday will be Community Day, with special events to
give the public a better look at general aviation."
"The AOPA Aviation Summit is an opportunity for anyone
interested in aviation to discuss the pressing issues facing the
industry today, and where we are headed in the future," concluded
Fuller.