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Fort Worth was overtaken by members of the business aviation community for the recent NBAA Schedulers andamp; Dispatchers Conference, featuring nearly 3,300 registered attendees from 54 countries and over 450 exhibiting companies to both engage and empower the gathering crowds of professionals toward a promising future.
"The passion that characterizes the scheduling and dispatching profession was front and center at this year's conference, which brought people together to engage in new ways of thinking, empower each other, and come away inspired about the opportunities on the horizon," NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said.RELATED STORY:NBAA SDC2024 kicks off - Bolen calls out attack on BizAv, keynoter empowers attendees
Two key words for the event were "engage" and "empower" with a focus on inspiring the BizAv members that flocked to Texas to hone their skillsets and "soar in their careers." This year's event featured over 30 education sessions and several Professional Development Program courses covering some of the concerns the industry is facing, like sustainability, workforce challenges and evolving technology for members of the highly specialized scheduling and dispatching profession.
SDC2024 was co-chaired by Jessi Litz-Rowden with Women in Aviation International and Brian Abrahamson with Merck Sharp andamp; Dohme Corp. The pair said this year's conference exceeded expectations, rousing attendees to return home and share what they learned over the week.
"Attendees embraced the opportunity to learn from their fellow professionals, including many people who were at the conference for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives to the event," Litz-Rowden said. "They connected with people who can have a huge impact on their personal and professional journeys."
Keynote speaker inspires the crowd
Retired Col. Merryl Tengesdal was the first Black woman to fly in the U.S. Air Force's U-2 spy plane. She spoke of her quest to achieve her dreams, which began with her childhood goal to become an astronaut. Tengesdal opened the second day, telling the crowd how on her journey into adulthood, as a naval aviator, combat pilot and later flying the U-2 Lady Dragon, she grew to understand the value of preparedness and teamwork to achieve success.
"Without that team, the mission's not going to get done," she said. "It takes a team to make sure the aircraft gets to the destination - it's because of you. As a scheduler and dispatcher, you guys are the conductors, the maestros."
Empowerment through advocacy
Bolen told attendees that the conference kicked off on, "What happens to be one of the most important days we've seen in a long time." He spoke of the recent troubling tax proposals from the Biden-Harris administration, which the NBAA has called out as an attack on business aviation. Bolen talked with attendees about the importance of the BizAv industry, which accounts for over one million jobs, connects communities and plays a vital role during natural disasters.
President Biden has spoken of plans to increase taxes and scrutiny for business aviation and the NBAA has been quick to call out how the sweeping plans could harm the industry and the jobs and communities that depend on it. With a major fuel tax hike and IRS audits over business jet usage looming, the NBAA is ready to take a stand against any concerning laws or regulations that would hurt such an important industry.RELATED STORIES:Cutter Aviation, NBAA launch fuel program to aid in BizAv advocacyFAA, NBAA weigh in on Biden budget proposal, aviation fuel tax hikeBiden targets jets in State of the Union, aviation groups fire back
Bolen urged attendees to use the new message available at the NBAA's online Grassroots Action Center and alert lawmakers to the industry's growing concern over the latest proposals.
"Congress will ultimately consider any changes the president might offer, and there is strength in numbers, so we need to make our voice heard on this issue right away," Bolen said.
Fueling to advocate for BizAv
Ahead of the conference, the NBAA launched its new program with Cutter Aviation, Fueling the Future. The new program was designed to help the NBAA in its advocacy efforts, fostering an environment to allow BizAv to thrive in the U.S. and globally. Beginning Monday, operators can contribute a portion of fuel expenditures in support of the NBAA's advocacy work. The program contributions will also support CLIMBING. FAST., an advocacy campaign meant to show the many societal benefits of bizav, including driving opportunities for the current workforce and leading in sustainable initiatives on the journey to net-zero carbon emissions in the industry by 2050.
"We're proud to be the first participant in the Fueling the Future program and delighted to have the opportunity to help give NBAA a bigger voice than ever," Cutter Aviation President and CEO Will Cutter said.
Awards and honors
During the keynote, longtime BizAv scheduler and licensed dispatcher, Chris Algee, CAM, was presented with the prestigious 2024 Schedulers andamp; Dispatchers Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award. Algee has been employed at Encompass Health in Birmingham, Alabama since 2017, serving as the manager of flight scheduling operations and administration. There were also several SDC scholarship recipients and sponsors recognized at the event.
Giving back to the community
Attendees and exhibitors also had the chance to give back to the community at the conference. They could donate leftover items like notepads and pens for the Welman Project, which connects schools and nonprofits with the community to bolster creativity, environmental activism and social responsibility. The organization is a free resource and distributes surplus materials for reuse in the classroom.
The 2025 NBAA Schedulers andamp; Dispatchers Conference will take place March 11-13, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.