The introductory issue of what is now titled Ground Support Worldwide magazine appeared in March of 1993. Counting this show issue, that makes the publication 16 years old. Though considering the state of the industry, that might make the anniversary more bittersweet than sweet.
In tough times, it’s important to reflect on the past and remember why it is we do what we do. It seems like an appropriate time to remember the history of the publication and the purpose it strives to serve to the readership.
The publication began as GSE Today under the direction of the father-daughter team of editor George Prill and Jennifer Prill, owner and publisher.
“Of the different industries within the aviation industry, I felt it was kind of an underserved, under-recognized group of people,” Jennifer says.
“So we looked at that industry and said these were a group of people that don’t communicate with each other,” she continues. “They have massive technology needs and they are spread out across the world. Let’s see if there aren’t ways that we can bring them together, talking to each other, working with each other between the airlines, the end user and manufacturers.”
The publication remained in the hands of the Prills until it was sold to Cygnus Business Media in 2001. The publication then began the transition to Ground Support Worldwide.
There are many fond memories that Jennifer holds about her time working with the publication. “What I enjoyed most were the diverse group of people that we were serving,” she says. “It was an industry that went from the lowest of technology to the highest of technology.
“There was the whole movement of the green technology, which was coming up when we were doing this. There were great polluters on an airport to these pretty high-tech, pretty modern equipment that didn’t pollute at all. So there was a lot of argument and discussion about all that.”
With the publication at the forefront of the industry, it was positioned to be at the center of the changing technology. “It was an exciting time for me, because we got to be at the beginning of all of that — of changing a very dirty industry into a clean industry,” she continues. “And what I really enjoyed were the people involved, because they were an unrecognized group of people and we gave them a place, a platform to come and talk and share ideas.”
Among Jennifer’s favorite times with the magazine was when she had the opportunity to interact with readers in person. “But my fondest memories were basically at the trade shows when we would walk around and I really got to see these guys that I talked to and worked with the other 51 weeks out of the year.
“I guess that my biggest memory was that this was a group of people that were very diverse,” she says. “That didn’t matter, we all came together for one purpose, which was to try and make the industry better and safer.”
That purpose has remained constant — to assist the industry with the many issues that are still prevalent today from alternative-fueled GSE to employee training to safety.
The Internet Age
Perhaps the biggest change for the publication has come with the rise of the Internet. In conjunction with the print magazine, Ground Support Worldwide has embraced the new technology to better facilitate communication within the industry. Much of this has come with the development of the Web site over the years.
Our Web site features the latest news, blogs and a comprehensive online directory of companies and products. In addition, our weekly electronic newsletters reach out regularly to the community. The new media tools have been developed as yet another platform to serve our readership.
Though the methods might be new, the purpose has remained unchanged. From the ramp to the office, we have sought to be a complete resource for the industry.
