Friends---
It was record-breaking year in Palm Springs, where we welcomed nearly 2,700 folks attending Industry Expo & Winter-Warm Up, and raised a record $225,000! Excellent weather, great friends, and a shared passion for aviation... combined together, made for a fabulous week to celebrate all that we’ve been able to accomplish since last time, and raise resources needed to accomplish even more in the days ahead.
A few new things in Palm Springs... most notably the venue change for Friday night’s reception on the PSP airport. With our new space, we’re able to grow even more (something I know many who were on the waitlist will appreciate!), and grow our general aviation visibility efforts. New small-group meetups on Saturday added the opportunity to get to know each other outside the massive sold-out events. And for the first time, in partnership with the FAA’s FAASTeam, TWO of our breakout sessions qualified for WINGS credit - pilot proficiency program.
Working behind the scenes all year long to put on events like Industry Expo and Winter Warm-Up is the talented and fearless Events Committee, led by volunteers Alyssa Ciardiello and Dan Silvia. Thank you Alyssa & Dan – we couldn’t do it without your help! Alongside them were over 250 additional volunteers, assisting in everything from registration, assembling conference bags, setting up speaker rooms, putting out tables/chairs, tear-down, and so much more... Without question, volunteers are the weekend’s MVPs – thank you, we appreciate you.
Two long-time corporate allies also were instrumental in this year’s success - Industry Expo presenting sponsor, United Airlines, and Winter Warm-Up presenting sponsor, American Airlines. Through United & American’s continued partnership, we have been fortunate to grow our conference into a must-attend weekend for members of our community, industry executives, academic leaders, and other key stakeholders... all there for one reason: us.
Information on next year’s PSP is up on our website. I look forward to seeing you there!
With Pride,
Justin
