Aviation advocates and professional airport managers share many goals, and stronger ties between the two groups can help accomplish those mutual objectives, AOPA said at an industry conference in Foxboro, Mass.
Greg Pecoraro, AOPA vice president of airports and state advocacy, and Sean Collins, AOPA eastern regional manager, represented the association at the fortieth annual conference of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association (MAMA) at Gillette Stadium Sept. 24 to 26.
Pecoraro joined Lisa Piccione, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Business Aviation Association, for a presentation to the airport administrators on "Advocacy: How we can help each other," in which they profiled AOPA’s and NBAA’s advocacy initiatives and priorities.
"It is important that AOPA attend this kind of event, representing member interests by participating in presentations, hearing the perspective of other industry stakeholders, and networking with them as we continue to work toward the common goal of promoting and protecting general aviation," Pecoraro said. "Airports are a central focus of AOPA advocacy, and building relationships with airport industry leaders is vital to our efforts."
Other conference sessions focused on aviation’s role in the domestic economy, working with government regulators, regional system planning, security, and federal budget updates.
Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Richard A. Davey, a speaker at the conference, proclaimed October as General Aviation Month in the commonwealth on behalf of Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick.
Gillette Stadium, the conference venue, is the home field of the New England Patriots professional football team.
