By Marie C. Peinado
Austin- “We built it and they came!” was the overall reaction Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division staff felt after another successful Texas Aviation Conference that was held in Austin on June 3-5, 1998.
This journal entry is specially for those who could not make it to the conference this year, nostalgic in that the actual conference went so fast that before you knew it, it was over! Goodbye friends, see you next year!
Months and months of preparation-meeting after meeting, mailing after mailing, the juggling of workshops, session times and speakers, food menu selection, coffee, tea or -decisions, decisions! Now, perish the thought that everything went as planned or that we will tell you with a straight face that, “it all went smoothly.’ We will own up to it, though; there were a few glitches which I will relate to you later, if I can slide by the editor’s pen. Seriously, what really counts in the end is the delivery. Absolutely!
Our conference delivered an agenda that attracted 340 participants from Texas as well as nationwide. Old friends and new friends who welcomed the new inclusiveness of the conference, starting with the change in the conference name from Texas Airport Operators Conference to Texas Aviation Conference. The focusing of various perspectives was reflected in the issues that were featured in our presentations: regional air service, aviation education, Certified Flight Instructor Clinics (CFO, airport tax issues, aviation law, aviation organizations, airport program management, airport maintenance, airport inspections, grant allocations, federal and state legislative issues. The program availed willing participants a choice of information that best suited their needs.
As has been a tradition, the conference was co-hosted by TxDOT Aviation Division and the Texas Association of Airport Executives and was held at the DoubleTree Inn.
Kicking off the conference on Wednesday afternoon was a small golf outing at the Bluebonnet Hill Golf Club with aviation staff and conference participants. The camaraderie was great and expectations are that this event will become an annual happening at TAC.
New faces, new booths and new products perked visitors’ attention during the conference. More than 51 exhibitors Aviation Division TxDOT TAC participants taking a breakl registered and provided hospitality to all, along with information on aviation product innovations. On Wednesday evening, exhibitors hosted a superb “Get Acquainted” reception in the exhibit area, that included an ice cream wagon and an ice cream lass who stole the show.
A small challenge was our Hangar Party at Georgetown Airport on Thursday afternoon. Temperatures nearing one hundred degrees, 4:30 p.m. rush hour traffic on 1-35, and survival directions-land and surface-to the airport provided by one of our pilots made this an “are we there yet” experience. But, “never fear”. the music and food were great, plenty of room to socialize! Considering the heat, and other hurdles, the turnout was outstanding. The only casualty was a bus that developed an airconditioning leak and had to return to the barn. All told, everyone got into the spirit and into the swing-dancing.
A special salute goes to the dedicated pilots for their aerobatic performances at Georgetown Municipal Airport-fantastic fly-bys and aircraft formations-excellent flying! A special hand also goes to those who handled the static displays – nothing like seeing those birds and hearing the revving of aircraft engines to get one’s adrenalin flowing.
Friday’s banquet luncheon was the big event. Confidentiality is the word when it comes to awards at TAC. Staff members are sworn to secrecy from the time of award selection to the presentations – no leaking here or else! You could feel the excitement and anticipation as the crowd gathered to be seated at their assigned tables and to be fed-food and a few proclamations. Slowly, the emcee proceeded at his own pace, breath by breath, to announce the winners.
This year’s aviation awards were:
1998 Airport Manager of the year Award: Stewart “Stew” Shirey
Manager, McGregor Municipal Airport, Waco Texas
1998 Most Improved Airport Award: Brownwood Regional Airport
Brownwood, Texas
1998 Airport of the Year Award: Avenger Field
Sweetwater, Texas
1998 Reliever of the Year Award: Montgomery County
Conroe, Texas
In the 1998 International Aviation Art Contest, there were three first place winners from Texas, one in each category, and a first place national winner. And the winners were:
Lauren Zimmerman, 9 years old, from West Elementary School in White Settlement, Texas won first place in Category I (Ages 6-9).
Joshua Flores, 10 years old, from R.L. Martin Accelerated School in Brownsville, Texas won first place in Category II (Ages 10-13).
Adem Liddell, 17 years old, from Fort Davis High School in Fort Davis, Texas won first place in Category III (Ages 14-17) and third place national winner.
After all the photo-poses, handshakes, and congratulations, the crowd moved slowly out of the big room; saying their farewells and making plans for next year. April sounds good for next year’s conference. Yes, maybe, perhaps.
A very special thanks to all co-hosts/exhibitors and party sponsors at TAC; and to everyone that contributed to the success of this conference, in particular to conference coordinator; Yolanda Alvarez.
