Annual 'Aviation Summit' Will Expand Focus On Advocacy Efforts

While delivering the keynote address at the 2009 Northwest Aviation Conference on Saturday, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president Craig L. Fuller announced an ambitious new plan for the Association's annual meeting, to be held later this year in Tampa, FL.

Described by Fuller as "all our Expo event has offered and more," the newly-restructured AOPA Aviation Summit will expand the organization's advocacy efforts... by bringing "everyone in general aviation to the table -- regulators, industry, and users -- to discuss the major issues that affect everyone, flyers and non-flyers alike."

"We want to help you connect to the reasons that you fly so you can maximize the value you get from your personal aviation experience," said Fuller, "whether you fly for business, pleasure, or both."

Attendees will notice a few additional changes. In addition to hundreds of vendor booths, the exhibit hall at the Tampa Convention Center will sport an all-new layout intended to provide greater opportunities for product demonstrations and other events on the show floor.

And while the aircraft display at Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF, shown below) will still host all the major airframe manufacturers, AOPA plans to highlight other aspects of general aviation that members are not used to seeing. The social functions will also have a new look and feel, with exciting new elements attendees have never seen before.

"We are expanding our horizons to bring you new experiences, events, and opportunities to touch, test, and interact with the people and technology that are relevant to the way you fly," concluded Fuller.

The first annual AOPA Aviation Summit will coincide with the organization's 70th anniversary. The event will run November 5-7, 2009 in Tampa.

FMI: www.aopa.org