After four decades, the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania will hold its annual conference at an airport for the first time.
The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport will host the 42nd conference, which kicks off Sunday, Sept. 18 and concludes Tuesday, Sept. 20.
The Unity airport has hosted the conference previously, but not on airport grounds. The conference typically takes place at hotels throughout the state, according to ACP event organizer Mary Bethea.
“Since covid, we haven’t had a great chance to have as full of an experience as we are this go-around,” Bethea said. “Having the event at the airport lends itself to a unique experience for everyone.”
The theme of this year’s conference is equipment. Attendees are encouraged to bring any airport equipment that paints, cuts, pushes, disinfects, lights or shines.
The first day of the conference will feature a golf tournament and silent auction reception and dinner at the Latrobe Country Club. Proceeds from these events will benefit the Pennsylvania Aviation Foundation Scholarship Program.
Activities during the next two days will be held at the airport. On Monday and Tuesday, various speaker sessions will cover topics including aviation workforce, sustainability, aviation economic impact, the availability of airport grant funds and technology.
Additionally, on Monday, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a pig roast at 5 p.m. and watch a night taxiway paving project at 10 p.m.
Bethea expects at least 150 people to attend the conference, which is open to anyone in the aviation industry, including flight school attendees, business operators, engineers and aviation enthusiasts.
The conference will give attendees the opportunity to connect with local decision-makers, Bethea added. Lawmakers scheduled to attend include state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and state Senate Aviation Caucus Chair Devlin Robinson.
Gabe Monzo, the Westmoreland County Airport Authority executive director and ACP president, looks forward to speaking with other aviation leaders and lawmakers.
“It puts us in a place where we can talk with our legislators and government officials with one resounding voice,” Monzo said.
Those interested in attending can find registration information and a schedule of events on ACP’s website.
