Aug. 17, 2016
To further NBAA’s advocacy work at the state level – and highlight the business aviation industry’s importance to the country – the association has joined the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization that supports state legislatures with ideas, tools and connections to enhance their effectiveness, as well as provide a voice for them on Capitol Hill.
“Being a member of NCSL and participating in the summit is greatly expanding NBAA’s awareness of what opportunities there are for communicating and networking with state legislators and their staffs,” said Steve Hadley, NBAA’s director of regional programs and Southwest regional representative.
“We look forward to talking with legislators around the country about how business aviation impacts their states with jobs, the ability to create business opportunities in smaller communities and the industry’s assistance in times of need,” he added.
Membership in NCSL also affords NBAA the opportunity to exhibit at NCSL’s Legislative Summit, the largest annual gathering of state legislators and their staffs in the country.
Hadley attended the event Aug. 8 to 11, along Scott O’Brien, NBAA senior manager of finance and tax policy. NBAA had a booth in the “Aviation Alley” part of the exhibit hall, which also featured the booths of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Alliance for Aviation Across America.
Attendees were offered literature on the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, along with hats, pins and other accessories.
“By participating in NCSL, NBAA will learn more about how to best work with state legislatures, as well as expand awareness of the importance of business aviation to communities in states across the country,” said O’Brien.