Contact: Cassandra Bosco
Washington, DC, October 10, 2000 – NBAA opened its 53rd Annual Meeting & Convention with a Media Kickoff Breakfast and Opening General Session featuring speeches by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council President Dr. Assad Kotaite and former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula.
During the Media Kickoff Breakfast, NBAA President Jack Olcott noted the growth of NBAA, its Convention and the business aviation community, stating that “today, more companies are operating more aircraft as an aid to business than ever before, and our Membership, at more than 6,200 companies, has never been larger or more active. We are seeing substantial growth in traditional corporate flight departments, fractional ownership programs and charter activity.” The NBAA Convention floor is up more than 12 percent over last year’s record-breaking Show. By the close of Monday, 28,397 Attendees had registered for the event.
During the Opening General Session, Kotaite emphasized that the business aviation community is part of a larger, global community and discussed ICAO’s work to strengthen international standards. Shula gave useful advice about management and motivation techniques applicable to business aviation operations, and described NBAA’s 2000 Convention as the Super Bowl of trade shows.
Another highlight of the Opening General Session was the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) presentation honoring Member Company Corning, Inc. CAN is a not-for-profit organization that arranges free airplane transportation for cancer patients going to and from recognized treatment centers by using empty seats aboard corporate turbine aircraft operating on business flights. To commemorate Corning’s significant participation in CAN over the past year, an original painting depicting the company’s flight department was created by the famous English aviation and maritime artist Peter R. Westacott. A Corning representative was on hand to accept the painting.
NBAA represents the aviation interests of over 6,200 companies which own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues approaching $5 trillion — a number that is about half the gross domestic product — and employ more than 19 million people worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of civil aviation products and services.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.