AUSTIN- The 16th Annual Texas Airport Operators Conference will now be known as the Texas Aviation Conference, a major change in perspective to include everyone interested in Texas aviation. Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division and the Texas Association of Airport Executives (TAAE) will continue their long-held association of co-sponsoring the event, which will be held on June 3-5, 1998.
Moreover, by popular demand and because of its central location, the DoubleTree Hotel was again chosen as this year’s conference site. Besides providing an attractive environment and a highly secured area, the hotel is located near well-known restaurants and shopping areas, as well as the University of Texas and State Capitol. Certainly, it will be a marvelous opportunity to see Austin on your free time during the conference. A brief walking tour description of downtown Austin is included in this newsletter.
Conference participants will be pleased with the wide range of topic presentations, workshops, round table discussions and noted guest speakers who will address various concerns or interests of our aviation community. Representatives from the regional airlines serving Texas such as Austin Express, Inc., AMR Eagle, and Continental will discuss what the future could bring to our state. Our new Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Southwest Regional Representative, Jerry Hooper, will speak about the challenges and changes ahead for general aviation.
Additionally, Bob Warner, Executive Vice president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will provide a presentation on the marketing of general aviation, as well as an overview of the Young Eagles Program.
Expectations are that the conference will bring together about 400 participants including airport managers, airport owners, airport board members, consulting engineers, fixed-based operators, and others interested in aviation. A wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and meet new colleagues.
There are over 40 exhibit booths already registered for this conference which will provide the latest information on product innovations that relate to the aviation field. To open the conference, exhibitors will host a “Get Acquainted” reception in the exhibit area on Wednesday, June 3, from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
A social and exciting event will be a Hangar Party scheduled at Georgetown Municipal Airport, Pilots Choice Hangar, on Thursday, June 4, from 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Transportation will be provided from the hotel to the airport for those interested in attending.
Finally, the moment everyone has been waiting for arrives on Friday, June 5 at the Noon Banquet; the awards for Airport of the year, Airport Manager of the Year, Most Improved Airport of the Year and the Reliever of the Year are presented at this time.
For more information or registration forms, contact Yolanda Alvarez, Conference Coordinator at 1/800/68-PILOT.