Story ID: 
NATA Replaces Annual Show with Two Events
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is replacing its annual convention with two events, the FBO Leadership Conference March 19 to 22 in Orla
Word Count: 167
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is replacing its annual convention with two events, the FBO Leadership Conference March 19 to 22 in Orlando, Fla., and the Air Charter Summit (including fractionals) to be held in early summer near Washington, D.C. NATA surveys showed that members “are interested in learning about issues affecting their business,” spokesman David Almy explained. FBOs want FBO-related events and charter operators want to focus on charter issues. “To achieve this most successfully, we’re increasingly tailoring our events for specific markets.” NATA has been holding its convention at the annual Aviation Industry Expo (AIE) show, and the FBO Leadership Conference includes free attendance at the March 20-22 AIE exhibits. AIE also includes the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association’s (PAMA) annual Maintenance Symposium and the GSE (ground support equipment) International Expo. NATA and PAMA sold their combined event to publishing company Cygnus Business Media in August 2002. Cygnus already owned the GSE show and combined all three events into one show that eventually became AIE.