Advocacy, Workforce in Focus at Local and Regional Group Best Practices Forum

Oct. 31 2018

Strategies for effective advocacy and workforce development were highlighted at the 2018 Local and Regional Group Best Practices Forum, which brings local and regional group representatives from around the country to share success stories and tools for improvement.

Held during the 2018 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the event began with NBAA Chief Operating Officer Steve Brown providing an overview of the successful advocacy of local and regional groups during the policy battle over so-called privatization of air traffic control (ATC). He highlighted particularly impactful efforts, such as setting up teleconferences with legislators, and a letter to Congress signed by more than 150 local and regional groups.

Despite this success, he warned attendees that challenges related to airport and airspace access still persist.

“Even though we demonstrated the strength of our network in the ATC privatization battle, challenges will come in the future,” said Brown. “The earlier we’re able to confront these issues, the better chance of a positive outcome.”

Brown noted the recent five-year FAA reauthorization passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump will “open up some interesting policy options that we plan to work with the FAA on,” and that the bill provides clues into emerging issues, such as UAS and federal/private collaboration on workforce development.

Workforce Development

Topics related to workforce also were highlighted throughout the event. NBAA Western Regional Representative Phil Derner discussed the value of holding youth outreach events such as airport days, while other speakers focused on standard tools such as mentorships and scholarships.

While 70 percent of attendees indicated in a real-time poll that they did have a workforce development program, 83 percent felt their programs were “okay/could use some work.” Responding to these concerns, Colorado Aviation Business Association Board Member Tiffany Hiler discussed an upcoming workforce development survey crafted by NBAA’s Local and Regional Group Committee to gauge the effectiveness of current workforce efforts, as well as determine ways to enhance them.

Attendees also discussed strategies for building membership, reaching young professionals through social media, succession planning and ways to supplement or replace golf tournaments as revenue sources.

The forum also marked a transition in leadership for the NBAA Local and Regional Group Committee, as Marj Rose, from the North Texas Business Aviation Association, took over as chair of the group from Iver Retrum.

Learn more about the Local and Regional Group Committee.