Photo above – from left are, Dave Haymond, (Aviator of the Year), Brenda Maughan, (accepting the Disciple of Flight award for her father, LaVar Wells), Jared Esselman, Steve Durtschi (Airport of the Year – Skypark Airport), and Aaron Organ (Aviation Educator of the Year award).
The Utah Aeronautics Division held its first conference on May 9-11 in Provo, Utah. The event was a huge success, with more than 500 professionals in the aviation industry in Utah and across the country attending.
Forty vendors from all over the country set up shop in the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo. Hundreds of aviation professionals, state and local officials, mechanics, engineers, planners and industry leaders came together during the three-day event to improve safety, network, share best practices and foster collaboration.
“Being that this was our first conference, we were all praying and hoping people would come,” said Jared Esselman, Director of Aeronautics for the Utah Department of Transportation. “We opened on Monday with just over 400 pre-registrants; but our on-site registrants took us to over 500.”
Participants were able to obtain cutting-edge training that offered continuing education credits, attend breakout sessions with subject-matter experts, engage in networking opportunities and interact with new industry technologies.
One of the conference highlights was the impressive student turn out for the Career Fair. More than a hundred high school and college students had the opportunity to meet with companies, universities and flight schools to find employment opportunities and get information about careers in the aviation field.
Another highlight, hearing from nationally renowned keynote speakers, including Michael Huerta, former FAA administrator, Bill Wyatt, Salt Lake City Department of Airports executive director and David Neeleman, Breeze Airways CEO. In conjunction with the conference, Provo City Mayor Michelle Kafussi also made the exciting announcement that Breeze Airways is set to launch flights from the newly constructed airport terminal in Provo.
A special awards ceremony was held to honor those who have made significant contributions to the world of aviation. Aviator of the Year, Aviation Educator of the Year and The Disciple of Flight Award in honor were all presented to well-deserving recipients. During the ceremony there was also a beautiful tribute to the life and legacy of the late Utahn Gail S. Halvorsen, the “Candy Bomber.”
Perhaps the most fulfilling part of the conference, Utah Aeronautics Division staff heard repeatedly that the event offered meaningful connections with the broader aviation community in Utah. “That was the goal,” stated Esselman, “to build a community.”
