Aviation Executives Lobby Members Of Congress On Industry Issues

The NATA 2010 Day on the Hill event drew nearly 100 association members to the Capitol Wednesday to visit their Members of Congress and their staff.

Day on the Hill participants began the day's events with a preparatory luncheon, and then dispersed for meetings with their congressional representatives. Those meetings enabled the association's members to discuss with their Members of Congress issues critical to the future success of their businesses and, ultimately, to the economy of the country.

"I can't stress enough the immense value our members contribute when they personally deliver their message to Congress," said NATA President James K. Coyne. "I challenge them to continue communications throughout the year to develop a firm relationship with their representative and thus a solid foundation for our industry."

That evening, NATA hosted its annual Industry Excellence Awards dinner and presentation. Winners included The Honorable Jerry Costello (D-IL), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation, and Gary Driggers, retired senior vice president of Midcoast Aviation.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue was host and guest speaker for the dinner. In his speech, Donohue reiterated the importance of events such as the Day on the Hill in getting one's message across to Congress. He said that it is vitally important that you meet face-to-face with your Member of Congress and explain to them how they are helping or hurting your business. "The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was a magnificent setting for this year's awards ceremony honoring the elite of our industry," Coyne(pictured) said.  "We plan to make DC landmarks and luminaries such as Thomas J. Donohue part of our awards ceremony for years to come."

The Day on the Hill event included NATA's spring committee meetings as well as the annual member meeting in which three new members of the NATA Board of Directors were elected. Click here to view the press release of the appointment of Bob Marinace, president and CEO of Key Air, James Sweeney, president of Fargo Jet Center, airport manager of Nantucket Memorial Airport, and Alfred Peterson to the NATA Board of Directors.

FMI: www.nata.aero