Make Plans For AviationPros LIVE In 2013

April 20, 2012
Our new show will feature more educational sessions outside the classroom and more networking opportunities.

We'll be returning to Las Vegas next year, but that's about the only item not changing for our 2013 trade show.

AviationPros LIVE is the new name for a new show, March 12-14, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"The four-day conference and exhibition will include educational programming presented by industry experts, a resource-rich exhibition hall with vendors showing the latest products and service services, plus a variety of networking experience designed to create meaningful discussions and relationships," said Emily Patten, trade show director, at our packed Attendee and Exhibitor Networking Party at last month's show.

What's new? We'll start the show with a half-day Ground Support Summit, March 12, which will feature sessions on the latest industry challenges. Once the exhibit hall opens for business on March 13, our Summit program will continue with "Knowledge Centers," mini-education sessions located in the exhibit hall, plus additional education opportunities provided by industry associations and other groups.

We'll also have new networking events, such as an opening night reception banquet; special interest group lunches and receptions; plus topic tables with discussion leaders in further networking at our Knowledge Center lounges.

Finally, we'll be amping up our social networking capabilities before, during and after the show.

We're just beginning to plan the educational sessions and we will have more news to share. For updates, log on to http://aviationproslive.com.

NEW LEADERS

We also officially recognized this year's Ground Support Leaders of the Year at the Attendee and Networking Party.

Our Product Leader, Flightcom's wireless communication system for ground operations, is on the cover of this issue. Here are our other two winners, which we will feature in our May and June/July issues:

  • Lifetime Achievement: William "Bill" Jacob with the United Parcel Service Inc. This award recognizes a person who has demonstrated commitment to the industry through numerous years of dedicated service. Jacob has more than 40 years of GSE experience with Eastern Airlines and UPS. Jacob, vice president of the UPS Ground Support Division, is directly responsible for almost 32,000 pieces of powered and nonpowered GSE.
  • Team Leader: Chief Warrant Officer Gregory McDermott with the United States Coast Guard. This award recognizes an individual who has taken a leadership role with personnel. McDermott leads an aviation ground support team with a budget of $12 million at the Coast Guard's only Aviation Logistics Center. McDermott's work supports 26 Coast Guard air stations through the United States and Puerto Rico. (By the way, U.S. Coast Guard team placed first in the Military category during the AMT Society Maintenance Skills Competition, and also achieved the overall fastest score among all 27 teams that competed this year, for which they received the William F. "Bill" O'Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance.)