Calls On Industry To Mobilize To Tell BizAv Story

At a No Plane No Gain Media Kickoff Breakfast held to brief reporters at the start of NBAA’s 64th Annual Meeting & Convention, NBAA and GAMA leaders described how they have redoubled their efforts during the past year to burnish the industry’s image and fight a series of harmful policy proposals emanating from Washington, DC.

Pat Cunningham, NBAA Board chairman, said, “Although the economic climate continues to challenge the industry, it’s also clear that people and companies are still reaching for opportunities and looking for ways to grow their businesses. I think that’s been in evidence here at this Convention, which continues to demonstrate its value to Exhibitors and Attendees alike.”

Cunningham noted that as of Monday morning, more than 23,000 people had registered to attend NBAA2011, 1,100 Exhibitors were on-site at the Las Vegas Convention Center and 100 aircraft were on display.

GAMA Board Chairman John Rosanvallon made two key points: “The first is, our industry does indeed face continued turbulence in the economic arena. The second is that the long-standing partnership between NBAA and GAMA is key to addressing the industry’s challenges in the policy arena.” Rosanvallon said he was “very cautiously optimistic” about the future, noting that current growth in corporate profits and in global GDP figures are traditionally harbingers of business aviation growth.

Pete Bunce

GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said that recent events showcasing support for business aviation by featuring state and local officials have helped thwart onerous policy proposals for industry. Pointing to White House proposals for imposing general aviation user fees as an example, Bunce said: “The president’s proposals are not having traction.

“We’re mobilizing people in the industry to help tell our story,” continued Bunce. “We’re doing this not only in national interviews, but in rallies all across the country.” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen noted that in recent months, President Obama had been using his “bully pulpit to bully the industry.” Nevertheless, there is some good news: One in four [U.S. House representatives] have joined the House GA Caucus; one in three U.S. senators have joined the Senate GA Caucus; two thirds of states have issued proclamations supporting GA; and 44 mayors have raised their hands in support for the industry.

“We are making progress – not with the Administration – but with all the government officials around them,” said Bolen. “We are going to win the user fee fight,” he predicted.

Nevertheless, Bolen acknowledged, “Our work to educate policymakers about the value of business aviation will be an ongoing priority for us.” To that end, the No Plane, No Gain campaign has just rolled out a series of five new ads in which  internationally recognized investor Warren Buffet asserts that the face-to-face contact that business aviation facilitates is paramount. The first ad appeared in today’s edition of The Wall Street Journal.

FMI: www.noplanenogain.org