01-13
AOPA Aviation Summit 2012 in wonderful Palm Springs, Calif. crept up on us like Santa slithering down the chimney. Jen and I packed up the truck with booth supplies, did a “cat check,” set the alarm system, locked the front door, and pulled out of the drive. Off we go!
AOPA is a first-class, not-to-be-missed show attended by aviators looking to purchase and negotiate. The lodge-like atmosphere of the convention center just adds to the ambiance.
The day before the show, Jen and I were setting up and saying hello to many of our supporters. Of course, we could have just paid attention to our task at hand, but no… we started socializing… with Mark Korin from Alpha Systems AOA and laughing with Thierry Pouille from Air Journey. This started a chain reaction and added a few extra hours to 45-minute setup. All part of the fun.
Show time…
John Bagnas, Assistant Director of Piper Flyer Association and the newest member of our team, was there—with business cards in hand—starting his journey with us on this crazy show circuit.
I felt the attendance at AOPA Summit was very good, and we met new vendors with some really cool pilot toys. There will always be things we need and things we want; explaining to your significant other there really is not a difference is another thing.
This show brings out high-class exhibitors and serious buyers. And PFA is there to support the Piper community and meet with our members. AOPA Summit is a shorter show, but all things considered, very productive.
There are phenomenal restaurants within walking distance from most hotels in Palm Springs, but Jen and I had to go to Mark’s recommended LG’s Prime Steakhouse (“Locally Owned and Nationally Known”) on S. Palm Canyon Dr. It didn’t hurt that there was a Ferrari show in town that we had to meander through; now I was really hungry. (How about a Nero “charred” Testarossa? I’m just saying.)
Dinner was really, really good; I guess the car will have to wait. (I don’t have to explain to Jen the difference between the needs and wants; I know.)
Too bad Palm Springs won’t be host to AOPA Aviation Summit 2013—but I hear the steaks are huge in Fort Worth. Everybody knows they do things big in Texas. Even airshows!
Kent Dellenbusch is vice president of the Piper Flyer Association and director of sales for Piper Flyer. Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
