AOPA In Your Backyard

by Bryan Budds, Regional Manager
AOPA Great Lakes Region

Since AOPA renewed its commitment to an even stronger regional presence earlier this year, the association has greatly increased its activity across the Great Lakes and other regions. With the midpoint of the year now only a few weeks behind us, and most state legislative sessions complete, AOPA now turns its attention to strengthening the aviation community across the area and increasing our presence at local airport events, some of which may be right in your backyard.

In June, AOPA visited Anoka County Airport – Blaine Field to help support “Discover Aviation Days.” With an estimated attendance of over 10,000 area residents, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, and multiple aircraft museums opening up their hangar doors to the public, the event was a perfect opportunity for potential aviation enthusiasts to get acquainted with general aviation, their airport, and AOPA. One lucky visitor to the AOPA tent won an introductory flight, courtesy of AOPA.

AOPA will also be exhibiting at the Indianapolis Air Show, the Milwaukee Air and Water Show, Thunder Over Michigan, and many other aviation events across the area. If you have the opportunity to attend one of these events, please stop by the booth, say hello, and perhaps receive a special gift or two. And, if you have any suggestions on where you would like to see AOPA, please let me know!

To further support the aviation community, AOPA’s Airport Support Network has launched a new initiative to recognize public officials who are strong aviation advocates for their local airports. As we all know, local politics drives so much of what happens at our local airports, and maintaining positive relationships with those decision-makers is key. So, if you have a proactive, supportive local official, visit aopa.org/asn and submit their information so they can receive recognition for their efforts.

Also in an effort to communicate directly with AOPA members in the region, we have activated the AOPA Great Lakes Region “Twitter” account to provide you with up-to-the-minute and behind-the-scenes information on all things AOPA is involved with in the Great Lakes. You can follow me @AOPAGreatLakes. Hope to see you at an upcoming event!

bryan.budds@aopa.org

This entry was posted in AOPA, AOPA Great Lakes Report, August/September 2012, Columns and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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