Nov. 9, 2015
The Michigan Business Aviation Association (MBAA) and Oakland County International Airport (PTK) recently hosted the area’s first Air Transportation Expo, which highlighted how business aviation makes companies more competitive. The one-day event was an opportunity to enhance the local business community’s knowledge and perception of business aviation.
The expo, held earlier this fall, featured some 30 exhibitors, including several original equipment manufacturers, as well as education sessions designed to provide information on how companies interested in business aviation can get started. Some 400 attendees had the opportunity to tour the airport’s facilities and inspect the business aircraft on display.
“We brought the business aviation community to Oakland County International Airport and then we invited the local business community to come learn about the benefits of business aviation and how to get started,” said John Hatfield, MBAA’s chairman.
“MBAA wanted to expand its outreach not only to non-member flight departments and aviation companies, but also to potential new business aviation users,” said Bob Quinn, NBAA’s Midwest regional representative. “Further, the association hoped to highlight the importance of aviation to the economic development of the state.
“This Air Transportation Expo should be a lesson to other regional business aviation groups,” added Quinn. “There’s no doubt an event like this one requires a significant commitment, but the impact on the local economy and business aviation industry from a successful event like this cannot be overstated.”
Hatfield said the expo was successful, thanks to the support of the local business aviation community and the Oakland County Executive Office, which helped coordinate and fund the event.
“The local business aviation community came together with a common purpose – to tell the story of business aviation,” said Hatfield.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.