Warren Buffett Sends Video Congratulations to Arnold Palmer on Receipt of NBAA Award

Legendary Businessman’s Remarks Credit Business Aviation Key to His Company’s Success

Contacts: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Patrick Dunne, (202) 783-9263, pdunne@nbaa.org

Atlanta, GA, October 20, 2010 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today aired a video greeting sent from renowned investor Warren Buffett to American legend and esteemed businessman Arnold Palmer to congratulate Palmer on receiving the NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award for Palmer’s long-standing advocacy for business aviation.

In the video, Buffett proclaims the value of business aviation in the success of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Buffett and Palmer both serve as spokesmen for the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, and have recently appeared with a third spokesman – American icon and astronaut Neil Armstrong – in a series of ads to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the value of business aviation to the nation’s citizens, companies and communities.

“Arnold, congratulations on winning the Meritorious Service Award – you certainly deserve it,” Buffett tells Palmer in the video greeting. “Your leadership on the No Plane No Gain campaign has just been terrific. I might add in my own case, Berkshire owns perhaps 70-some companies, and there are at least 20 of those that we wouldn’t own if I hadn’t had access to our own airplane, so you and I understand the value of private aviation. I’ve enjoyed appearing in the ad with you and Neil, too – it definitely upgrades my appearance generally to have you two guys next to me. I just want to wish you and Neil, and everyone in Atlanta, the very best.”

The video was shown as part of a first-ever second-day General Session at NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen thanked Buffett for his video message to Palmer, and for his work in support of the No Plane No Gain program. “NBAA is thrilled that Warren Buffett is speaking out about the importance of business aviation and its essential role in the nation’s economy and transportation system,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are honored to have one of the world’s iconic investors, with an uncanny eye for value, speak out on behalf of the value of business aviation.”

Buffett’s video remarks about the value of business aviation for his company complement those made in a No Plane No Gain advertisement, in which the Berkshire chairman and CEO states: “I originally called my airplane ‘indefensible’ – today, I call it ‘indispensible!’” That ad has appeared in business aviation industry trade publications, and also in mainstream news outlets that target opinion leaders, including The Wall Street Journal and The Economist.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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