Business Leaders Meet With Government Officials, Others To Discuss Policy

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) concluded its 2010 NATA Aviation Business Roundtable Tuesday after two days of high-level presentations from aviation industry leaders and top government officials.

More than 70 aviation business leaders met with key political, policy and financial experts to discuss a number of critical issues affecting the aviation community, including the results of the 2010 mid-term elections, the economy, jobs, taxes, safety and security. The two-day meeting concluded after an exclusive tour of the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base.

"It is clear from this year's rise in attendance that the NATA Aviation Business Roundtable continues to provide real value to our participants," stated NATA President James K. Coyne. "From leaders on Capitol Hill and at the Transportation Security Administration to those within our own industry, this year's Roundtable provided a robust platform for our attendees to learn the latest economic, security and legislative issues that will affect their businesses in 2011 and beyond."

Highlights from this year's event included:

• An industry overview from NetJets Chairman and CEO David L. Sokol including his thoughts on NetJets recent purchase of Marquis Jet and of 125 Embraer Phenom 300s.
• Post-2010 mid-term election analysis by acclaimed political analyst Stuart Rothenberg. During this review, Rothenberg highlighted that Republicans won 36 of the 48 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives held by Democrats that were carried by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) during the 2008 presidential election.
• TSA Administrator John Pistole's overview of the latest security developments affecting the general aviation community.
• Hawker Beechcraft Chairman & CEO Bill Boisture's review of the challenging economic and political climate that the general aviation manufacturing industry has faced over the last three years as well as this community's outlook for the future.
• Congressman Sam Graves' (R-MO) outlook as to what legislative issues Republicans will undertake once they take over the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011. It is anticipated that Graves, as the lead Republican on the House Committee on Small Business, will become chairman in 2011.
• U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security Chairman Byron Dorgan's (D-ND) review of the challenges in passing a long-term FAA reauthorization bill.
• Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) President John Castellani's analysis of the challenges America's businesses have seen since the economic recession.

FMI: www.nata.aero