The Helicopter Association International's (HAI) 55th annual conference and exhibition, HELI-EXPO 2003, held in Dallas (TX) from February 9-11, hosted 469 exhibitors displaying products and services at 1,391 individual booths and ­­39 static displays.

The combined exhibition floor space occupied 170,300 square feet. The total number of attendees, by close of show on Tuesday, February 11, was 12,877. This is an 8% increase in attendance over last year's convention in Orlando (FL).

Safety Extolled; Awards Recapped

The convention also marked the launch of HAI's "Platinum Program of Safety." This comprehensive program is intended to bring about positive changes in the safety culture of the industry, resulting in a significant enhancement of aviation safety. Under the provisions of the program, HAI members may qualify for Platinum Status when they certify themselves through the audit process as adhering to a set of well-established "recommended practices," which serve as qualifying criteria. The first 12 members to achieve Platinum Safety Program status were announced at the HAI Annual Breakfast at HELI-EXPO 2003 on February 10.

They were:

• HeliFlite Shares
• Alpine Helicopters
• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
• Keystone Helicopters
• Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
• Era Aviation
• AT&T Aviation Division
• Helicopters, Inc.
• CIGNA Corporation
• Evergreen Helicopters
• Bonneville Power Administration
• EMS Air Services of New York

The convention closed with HAI's 42nd Annual "Salute to Excellence" awards ceremony, held at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel on the evening of February 11. Thirteen individuals were honored by attendees for specific contributions to the promotion and enhancement of the civil helicopter industry. The honorees traveled from as far away as the Yukon Territory and Hong Kong to receive plaques and standing ovations from the banquet attendees and HAI's Board of Directors.

The 2002 "Salute to Excellence" winners were:

In addition to the annual "Salute to Excellence" award winners, HAI recognized The Right Honorable Lord Glenarthur with HAI's Honorary Lifetime Membership Award for his achievements and contributions to the helicopter industry. During HAI's 55 year history, only 18 people, including Lord Glenarthur, have received this award.

The high attendance rate and amount of networking conducted at HELI-EXPO 2003 was an indicator that the civil helicopter industry is both doing business and expectant of the future. HAI President Roy Resavage commented on the exhibition's success, saying, "Exhibitors reported high levels of activity at booths, HAI committee meetings and educational seminars were well attended, members networked extensively throughout the convention, and vendors were able to interact with thousands of consumers on the floor."

HAI's next annual convention, HELI-EXPO 2004, will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas (NV), March 15- 17.

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