AEA 2009: Trying To Inspire During Tough Times... And Succeeding

We've known Paula Derks for quite a number of years and a number of adjectives come readily to mind when we consider the leader of the Aircraft Electronics Association... competent, decisive, expert, cheerful and insightful... and now we feel compelled to add one more -- inspiring.

This year's rendition of the annual AEA Convention took up the Derks mantra and therefore wound up being a surprisingly upbeat affair. While everyone bemoaned the awful economic situation forced upon them, to a person there was unanimity in the belief that the industry would not only survive but come back bigger and stronger than before... and Paula set the tone.

“We are purposely choosing to emphasize the positive attributes of the industry this week,” said Paula Derks, president of the Aircraft Electronics Association on the opening day of this year’s annual convention and trade show, which took place from April 1 to 4, at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas.

Setting this tone seemed to work as nearly 1,500 attendees crowded the AEA Exhibit Hall and the meeting rooms to research products and gain knowledge through educational forums on technical and regulatory issues.

Among the positive highlights of this year’s convention were:

• More than 31 companies taking part in the “New Product Introductions” session.
• More than 140 companies and organizations displaying during the trade show.
• Attendees receiving more than 75 hours of FAA-accepted technical training classes.

  

“It would be premature to announce the light at the end of the tunnel,” Derks said, “but many of the manufacturers told me they are making good contacts and writing orders at the booths, which means their dealers — our members — are buying product.”

Next year’s AEA International Convention & Trade Show is set from April 7-10, 2010, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Aero-TV Catches On To The Positive Vibe Put Forth by AEA President Paula Derks

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