FBOs, Airports, and a Symposium

A good session offers even more potential... LAS VEGAS - Initial indications from this year's Aviation Industry Expo are that it is a success, with numbers comparable to 2005. Also chock up as a success the pre-show FBO/Airport Symposium, co-hosted by the National Air Transportation Association (which hosts its annual convention alongside AIE) and the American Association of Airport Executives. The symposium, initiated by committees at the two associations, has had its starts and stops along the way, but appears now on solid ground and poised for growth. The idea is to provide a forum for airports and tenants to discuss common issues and business challenges. To wit, this year's event offered SPCC advice; a detailed discussion on the Part 16 complaint process, with FAA's David Bennett on hand (the end message: Part 16 is intended to encourage parties to resolve their differences without a need for FAA intervention); a hot topics discussion; FBO consolidation; and, joint marketing. Lanny Rider, manager at Teterboro Airport (TEB), across the river from Manhattan, related the challenges and initiatives at one of the most important business aviation airports in the country. (For more on TEB, watch for the upcoming cover story in AIRPORT BUSINESS magazine.) These are many of the issues of today; there are more. Put managers of FBOs and airports in a room together and you have the potential for a dynamic discussion. Regarding the potential of this event, a model to look at may be AAAE's National Airports Conference held each fall, and an event worth checking out. Thanks for reading.