AviationPros LIVE 2014

April 4, 2014
The two-day event attracted more than 1,500 attendees and 118 exhibitors.

AviationPros LIVE 2014 at the Sands Convention and Expo Center was an amazing two days of excitement and fun as there were more than 1,500 people in attendance, 118 incredible exhibitors, and some wonderful highlights to the event.

A Town Hall session, moderated by Airport Business Editor Ronnie Garrett and Ground Support Worldwide Editor Steve Smith, opened the event with industry insight from Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of aviation at the Clark County Department of Aviation; Tom Hendricks, president of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA); and Rick Angor, senior manager of GSE-Southwest Region for Southwest Airlines.

Over the two-day event, exhibitors attended FBO and Safety Sessions as part of a new partnership with NATA. Later the first day, the Ground Support Leaders of the Year awards bestowed a Lifetime Achievement award on the former Alan Janis of J&B Aviation, and exhibitors heard the entertaining thoughts and expressions of keynote speaker and Airport Business’ columnist Ralph Hood.

The event closed with a chili cook-off and special performance by country music superstar Aaron Tippin, who, accompanied by band members Lee Bogan on guitar and Lendell Black on keyboard, thrilled attendees. Those at the performance learned Tippin’s passion for aviation went far beyond the performance. Tippin is an avid aviation enthusiast who is a certified pilot, licensed flight instructor, and aviation maintenance professional (AMP).

The event left everyone recharged and excited for the year ahead.

“AviationPros LIVE is the best show in our industry. It brings together the best customers and we’ve made some valuable contacts for our business. It’s a great place to unveil new products to the right customers,” says Brian Piety, Executive vice president of PAGE Industries.

“Our objective was to meet major GSE managers in the United States and Canada and we met that objective at AviationPros LIVE,” says Joe Frend, president of Frend-Therm. “We were introducing a new product and this was the right place to do that. We’ve made some great relationships that will grow into customers for life.” 

“AviationPros LIVE 2015 is already out of the gate and ready to be loaded, with nearly 50 percent of the show floor already booked and many top names will be returning,” says Show Director Michael Sasso. “We will spend the months ahead looking toward the continued improvement of this event to ensure it is the highlight that allows exhibitors to build their business all year long.”