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:
Aviation Maintenance Technician Award |
|
Richard L. Beers |
Aviation Repair Specialist Award |
|
Steve Wile |
Igor I. Sikorsky Award
for Humanitarian Service
|
|
The Government Flying Service
of Hong Kong |
Joe Mashman Safety Award |
|
Frank A. Culver |
Outstanding CFI Award |
|
George Bedford |
Agusta Community Service Award |
|
Thomas C. Grassia |
Eurocopter Golden Hour Award |
|
Austin-Travis County STAR Flight |
Excellence in Communications Award |
|
Richard C. Kirkland |
Helicopter Maintenance Award |
|
Robert E. Amedeo |
Lawrence D. Bell Memorial Award |
|
Jim Chadwick |
MD Helicopters Law Enforcement Award |
|
Paul F. O'Sullivan, Jr. |
Robert E. Trimble Memorial Award |
|
Douglas E. Makonnen |
Pilot of the Year Award |
|
Francisco Orlaineta |
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.