Nearly 450 Attended The Three-Day Gathering In Tucson, AZ

The NBAA says its 2015 Leadership Conference concluded Feb. 26 in Tucson, AZ, set records for attendance and sponsorships.

The three-day gathering drew 445 people, including aviation managers, chief pilots, maintenance managers, safety officers, schedulers, dispatchers and flight attendants. The conference also attracted a record 38 sponsors, which underscored its value to the industry.
 
“NBAA’s Leadership Conference provided a compelling platform for emerging and experienced leaders to broaden their perspectives,” noted Ed White, director of aviation for MB Aviation, LLC and chair of NBAA's Corporate Aviation Management Committee (CAMC). “Not only does this help them lead more effectively, but the knowledge and skills gained here enhance their ability to communicate with, and interact with, executives who understand these concepts. This helps to properly align the flight department as a value-added, integrated business unit.”
 
In a series of in-person presentations, seven leadership experts and authors advised attendees how to influence, inspire and innovate in their daily jobs. The speakers included former NFL quarterback Tom Flick, who highlighted the need to embrace big opportunities and pursue them with urgency, and Peter Sheahan, CEO of ChangeLabs and a best-selling author, who underscored the importance of relationships and of setting goals and working hard to achieve them.
 
Also at the conference, nine “game changers,” mostly in business aviation, delivered inspirational messages via pre-recorded video. They included Robert Duncan, of Duncan Aviation, who applied innovative ideas to make aviation services readily accessible to customers; Sir Ranulph Fiennes, an English adventurer, who inspired risk-taking by exploring remote regions on Earth and Joan Sullivan Garrett, of MedAire, who promoted standardized access to medical services on business aircraft. Read: "NBAA Leadership Conference to Highlight Industry Game Changers."
 
Another highlight was a pre-conference panel discussion on how business aviation might be affected by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) efforts to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). For instance, flight departments were encouraged to offer their critical expertise in safety, airspace and maintenance when their companies decide to operate UAS. Read more about the UAS discussion.
 
Additionally, a total of $10,000 in CAMC scholarships was awarded at the conference to five recipients, with proceeds put toward conference attendance. Read more about the Leadership Conference Scholarship winners.
 
“The conference provided invaluable lessons on how to become a more effective leader in business aviation,” said Jay Evans, NBAA's director of professional development. “The speakers and game changers combined to make the powerful point that every one of us can be an agent of positive change in our industry.”
 
Next year’s Leadership Conference is scheduled for Feb. 22 to 24 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio, TX.

FMI: www.nbaa.org