For those interested in highlighting for candidates the importance of business aviation this election year, new grassroots advocacy resources will be unveiled during NBAA’s 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012), to be held Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, FL.
On Monday, Oct. 29, Selena Shilad, executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America, will be joined by Ed Bolen, NBAA President and CEO, Craig Fuller, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association president and CEO of the, Matt Zuccaro, Helicopter Association International president and Niel Ritchie, executive director of the League of Rural Voters to unveil new resources for people in the industry to make the size and importance of all general aviation, including business aviation, known to candidates running for elective office.
“We’ll be presenting new resources for citizens to communicate about the industry’s vital contributions to communities, as well as methods to contact local lawmakers and members of the media,” Shilad explained. “For example, advocates will have the ability to look up figures from economic impact surveys down to their specific zip code, and immediately share that information with candidates or incumbents running for election.”
Both Shilad and Lisa Piccione, NBAA senior vice president, government affairs, emphasized the importance of presenting these resources at NBAA’s Convention, which is as much an advocacy platform for the industry as it is a marketplace.
“The NBAA Convention is the largest business aviation event in the world, and it presents a strong reminder of the importance of business aviation to local, regional, national and worldwide economies,” noted Piccione. “The sight of tens of thousands of people in the industry, and the hundreds upon hundreds of exhibiting businesses of all sizes at the show, sends a very powerful message of how vital business aviation is to citizens, companies and communities.”
Piccione noted that Convention Attendees will have an opportunity to directly communicate a message about the industry’s value at the show, because laptop computers running NBAA’s popular online “Contact Congress” resource will be available for individuals to review and send letters about the priorities for business aviation directly to their Congressional representatives.
“At a time when the industry faces a number of concerns in the Washington policy arena, it is critical that everyone in business aviation weigh in with their elected officials,” said Piccione. “Contact Congress is a quick and easy online tool for making your voice heard on the issues impacting our industry.”
http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/20121017-new-industry-advocacy-resources-to-be-unveiled-at-nbaa2012.php