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Annual Conference


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March 12-15, 2024

Sponsors | Information

Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C. with Livestream Options for Online Participants

Experience the maintenance community’s premier event. Join ARSA members and invited guests from around the world to engage governments, network with peers and improve the state of the aviation world.

Thank You

ARSA is grateful to all the sponsors, speakers, participants, and colleagues who made the 2024 Annual Conference a great success. Attendees should reference the Digital Companion for materials and information and contact ARSA if help is needed.

See you next year: March 18-21, 2025

Sponsors

Platinum

     
           

Gold

       
           

Silver

         

Contributors

       

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Event Information

The details from the 2024 event are maintained here as a reference for attendees and to assist in preparation for 2025.

Unless otherwise noted, all Annual Conference activities take place at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. Stay tuned for agenda updates as the event gets closer.

Executive to Executive Briefings: Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Participation by industry executives with senior executive branch officials is limited to annual conference sponsors.
8:30 a.m. | Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:00 a.m. | Introductory Briefing
10:00 a.m. | U.S. Department of Transportation

Elliott Black, Facilitator, Aerospace Supply Chain Resiliency Task Force, Office of the Under Secretary for Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

ARSA is a member of the congressional-mandated task force examining the resiliency of the aerospace supply chain. Black will facilitate a group discussion about issues impacting the maintenance sector supply chain, including workforce, government policy, access to materials, geopolitical challenges, etc.
11:00 a.m. | Break
11:15 a.m. | U.S. Department of State

Heidi Gomez, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs


12:00 p.m. | Access to Maintenance Data: The ICA ARC

Josh Krotec, Senior Vice President, First Aviation and Member, ARSA Board of Directors 

Krotec has been named industry co-chair of the newly established Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Aviation Rulemaking Committee, which was created at ARSA’s request to address the availability of maintenance data.  He will discuss the ARC’s mandate and objectives, and opportunities to influence the ARC’s work.
12:45 p.m. | Lunch & Midday Break
2:00 p.m. | U.S. Department of Commerce

Scott Kennedy, Director, Office of Transportation & Machinery, International Trade Administration


3:00 p.m. | Break
3:00 p.m. | Economic Impacts

Livia Hayes, Director, Market Intelligence Team, Transportation and Services Practice, Oliver Wyman

Hayes will review the findings of the most recent Oliver Wyman MRO industry forecast and lead a roundtable discussion of factors and trends impacting demand for maintenance services.
4:00 p.m. | Wrap Up Discussion

Legislative Day: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The day dedicated to educating both the aviation maintenance industry and elected officials. Learn (or brush up) on what ARSA does and what you can do so you're ready for afternoon visits with targeted Capitol Hill legislators and staff.
7:30 a.m. | Registration & Breakfast
8:00 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions
8:15 a.m. | It's All About Your Industry and Your Company

Find out what’s at stake in Washington for your company and your industry, where things stand, and what you can do to impact the process.


9:00 a.m. | National Defense Authorization Act Opportunities

ARSA is pursuing legislation as part of the annual Pentagon budget and policy bill to enhance competition and opportunities for small businesses in Department of Defense aircraft maintenance contracting.


Josh Krotec, Senior Vice President, First Aviation and ARSA Immediate Past President


Alex de Gunten, Senior Vice President for Government & Industry Affairs, HEICO and 2024 ARSA Government Affairs Chairman


9:45 a.m. | Break
10:00 a.m. | FAA Reauthorization: Industry Perspectives 

Representatives of ARSA ally organizations discuss their priorities in the current FAA reauthorization and share insights about the likelihood of an FAA bill being enacted in 2024. 


Karen Huggard, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Air Transportation Association 


Jarrod Thompson, Vice President for Legislative and Regulatory Policy, Airlines for America 


Sterling Wiggins, Senior Director, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Supply Chains, U.S. Chamber of Commerce


Adam Weiss, Counsel (Minority), U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Aviation


11:00 a.m. | Release of 2024 Global Fleet & MRO Market Report

Livia Hayes, Director, Market Intelligence Team, Transportation and Services Practice, Oliver Wyman

Uktarsh Mishra, Market Intelligence Specialist, Oliver Wyman CAVOK


11:30 p.m. | Wrap Up Discussion & Presentation of 2024 Legislative Leadership Award to Garret Graves (R-La.)
12:00 p.m. | Lunch
1:00 p.m. | Congressional Meetings Begin

Participants head to Capitol Hill for scheduled meetings with members of Congress and staffers covering subject matter or geographic jurisdictions impacting participant home/facility locations. NOTE: participants schedule their meetings directly with the relevant offices; instructions are provided in advance of the event.


TBD | Presentation of ARSA Legislative Leadership Award (Special Invitation Only)
4:00 p.m. | Symposium Registration Open (for non-Legislative Day attendees)
5:30 p.m. | Ice Breaker Reception
7:00 p.m. | Special Invitation Dinner

Annual Repair Symposium: Thursday, March 14, 2024

The centerpiece of Conference week, ARSA convenes a full day of substantive panel discussions covering key regulatory compliance and business issues.
7:30 a.m. | Registration & Breakfast
8:00 a.m. | Welcome & Introductory Remarks

ARSA is the voice of the global aviation maintenance industry. How the association advocates your interests with legislators, regulators, and the media sets the stage for corporate growth. Information on how advancement of the industry’s collective interests enables individual companies to shine more brightly.


8:30 a.m. | Session 1: Fireside Chat with AVS-1

David Boulter, Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, FAA


9:00 a.m. | Break
9:15 a.m. | Session 2: Opening Salvo – Conversations with the Regulators

International aviation safety agencies will provide updates on the regulations, policies, and procedures of importance to the global aerospace sector. 


Lawrence Josuá Fernandes Costa, Continuing Airworthiness Certification Manager, Department of Flight Standards, ANAC Brazil [In person]


Ludovic Aron, Washington Representative, EASA [In person]


Karl Specht, Principal Coordinator Organisation Approvals, EASA [Online]


Dan Elgas, Director, Policy and Standards Division (AIR-600), Aircraft Certification Service, FAA [In person]


Tim Adams, Deputy Director, Office of Safety Standards, Flight Standards Service, FAA [in person]


Jackie Black, Manager, Aircraft Maintenance Division, Flight Standards Service, FAA [in person]


Jeffrey Phipps, Chief, Operational Airworthiness (AARTN), Transport Canada Civil Aviation [In person]


Neil Williams, Head of Airworthiness, Policy & Rulemaking, United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority [In person]


12:30 p.m. | Lunch with Special Guest

Billy Nolen, Chief Safety Officer, Archer Aviation


2:00 p.m. | Session 3: Defining the Career

Using known pathways and the current regulations, panelists lay out templates for international maintenance technician recruitment, training, and retention.


Ryan Goertzen, Vice President of Workforce Development, AAR


Barrington Irving, Founder & CEO, The Flying Classroom and Founder of the Barrington Irving Technical Training School


Crystal Maguire, Executive Director, Aviation Technician Education Council


3:00 p.m. | ARSA Quiz Show
3:30 p.m. | Break
4:00 p.m. | Session 4: Training First

Based on recommendations from SOCAC’s Workforce Development and Training (WDAT) Working Group and the ongoing work of the ARAC Repairman Working Group, panelists will explain how industry can push the government to accept standards for competency and skill development.


5:00 p.m. | The Club Lounge Happy Hour

Member Day: Friday, March 15, 2024

ARSA's leadership briefs members on the state of the association as well as goals and priorities for the coming year. Participants then close out the event by choosing from one of several concurrent breakout sessions.
8:00 a.m. | Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast
9:30 a.m. | Break
10:00 a.m. | Training: Regulations for Supervisors & Inspectors

This session reviews the cardinal regulatory knowledge necessary for repair station personnel to be “thoroughly familiar with the applicable regulations in this chapter.” ARSA’s training team is rolling out the course for the benefit of Conference attendees.


12:00 p.m. | Conference Ends

In-Person

All substantive and social activities were hosted at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. Legislative Day participants will head to Capitol Hill for meetings with congressional offices as appropriate.

Livestream

The majority of conference events will be available to livestream viewers via a Vimeo web-player embedded into a page on ARSA.org. Access to the livestream in 2024 will be available only to "Conference Ambassadors." These "Ambassadors" are contacts identified by in-person participants to bring the event back to their home facilities.

For information about committing your organization to the Annual Conference (we can already look ahead to 2025), contact ARSA Vice President of Operations Brett Levanto.

Platinum – $10,000

Notation in all publicity, marketing and periodicals (e.g., the hotline, Dispatch, ARSA team email signatures, conference attendee contact list, specific email alerts to association contacts), recognition in event materials and from the podium, specific thank you in ARSA periodicals, sponsorship rights and 10 registrations to an ARSA training session, complimentary registrations for three (3) participants in the Executive to Executive Briefings as well as three (3) in Legislative Day, and free livestream access for personnel unable to attend in person. At the Platinum Level, sponsors may select one of the following to specifically support (may not reflect current availability for 2024):
  • Online Conference Experience
  • Executive to Executive Briefings
  • Legislative Day – All Day
  • Annual Repair Symposium – Ice Breaker Reception
  • Annual Repair Symposium – Club Lounge Happy Hour
  • Congressional Directories/Resources

2023 Platinum Sponsors

       
         
         

Gold – $7,500

Notation in all publicity, marketing and periodicals (e.g., the hotline, Dispatch, ARSA team email signatures, conference attendee contact list, specific email alerts to association contacts), recognition in event materials and from the podium, specific thank you in ARSA periodicals, 5 registrations to an ARSA training session, complimentary registrations for two (2) participants in the Executive to Executive Briefings as well as two (2) in Legislative Day, and free livestream access for personnel unable to attend in person. At the Gold Level, sponsors may select one of the following to specifically support (may not reflect current availability for 2024):
  • Legislative Priorities Brochures/Resources
  • Digital Companion/Electronic Materials
  • Legislative Day – Continental Breakfast
  • Legislative Day – Congressional Briefing and Luncheon
  • Annual Repair Symposium – Continental Breakfast
  • Annual Repair Symposium – Luncheon with Special Guest

2023 Gold Sponsors

         

Silver – $3,500

Notation in all publicity, marketing, and periodicals (e.g., the hotline, Dispatch, ARSA team email signatures, conference attendee contact list, specific email alerts to association contacts), recognition in event materials and from the podium, complimentary registrations for one (1) participant in the Executive to Executive Briefings as well as one (1) in Legislative Day. At the Silver Level, sponsors may select one of the following to specifically support (may not reflect current availability for 2024):
  • Nametag Lanyards
  • Hotel Room Keys
  • Annual Repair Symposium – Coffee Break (5)

2023 Silver Sponsors

       

Supporter – $2,500

Notation in all publicity, marketing, and periodicals (e.g., the hotline, Dispatch, ARSA team email signatures, specific email alerts to association contacts), and recognition in event materials and from the podium.

2023 Supporter

           

Contributor – $500 to $2,499 (or equivalent support)

Notation in some publicity, marketing, and periodicals (e.g., the hotline, Dispatch), and recognition in event materials and from the podium.

2023 Contributors

   

ARSA's block of rooms for Conference participants at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia is now closed. The hotel hosts most of the activities related to the ARSA Conference and is convenient to the Metro as well as Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). To try and book a room independently, go to the hotel's website or call 703.415.5000.


Those seeking other options may consider these hotels (there are no ARSA-related specials or promotions at these locations):

Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport 1393 S Eads St. Arlington, Virginia, 22202


Residence Inn Arlington Capital View 2850 South Potomac Avenue Arlington, Virginia, 22202


DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC – Crystal City 300 Army Navy Drive Arlington, Virginia, 22202


Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport 1480 Crystal Drive Arlington, Virginia, 22202


Hampton Inn & Suites Reagan National Airport 2000 Richmond Highway Arlington, Virginia, 22202


Radisson Hotel Reagan National Airport 2020 Richmond Hwy Arlington, VA 22202


Holiday Inn National Airport/Crystal City 2650 Richmond Highway Arlington, Virginia, 22202

The Leo Weston Award for Excellence in Government Service

First bestowed on Leo Weston himself in 2005, the Weston award honors an instrumental figure in ARSA's birth by recognizing individuals who embody his commitment to the industry's safety and success. The symposium provides a venue for association members and invited guests from around the world to network and discuss issues that matter to the aviation maintenance industry. It is the perfect time to respect the history of the repair station community and honor the good works of those who support it.

Click here to learn more about Leo, the award bearing his name, and those who have received it.

The Legislative Leadership Award

The association regularly recognizes members of Congress who have provided outstanding support to the aviation maintenance community by supporting policies beneficial to the industry. Honorees have each been key in moving forward specific legislation advancing priorities championed by ARSA on behalf of its members.

Click here to see past updates regarding Legislative Leadership Award recipients.

The "Golden Shovel" Award

From time to time, ARSA recognizes individuals – usually at the time of their retirement – who have spent their careers in steadfast devotion to good business, good safety, and good oversight. In the colorful illustration of Executive Director Sarah MacLeod, these professionals have spent their lives shoveling against the tide of government bureaucracy; their achievement in never giving up is acknowledged through the "Golden Shovel Award."

Click here to learn more about the "Shovel" and see who has received it.
The ARSA team encourages all Annual Conference in-person participants to take measures appropriate to their personal comfort, medical risk, and other needs related to personal health. The following resources are available for attendee reference:

The Ritz-Carlton

The site of all substantive and social gatherings related to the ARSA Conference. The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City follows the Marriott International "Commitment to Clean." The guidance includes protocols and elevated practices and can be found at whattoexpect.marriott.com/waspc.

Virginia

With the exception of any Legislative Day meetings held on Capitol Hill (scheduled individually by participants), the entirety of the Annual Conference takes place in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Guidance related coronavirus protocols can be found at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/protect-yourself.

Washington, D.C.

No Annual Conference activities open to general participation take place in Washington, D.C. Conference attendees going into the city for business or personal reasons should consult coronavirus.dc.gov for policy and guidance related to the pandemic.

U.S. CDC

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both Arlington County (the location of the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City) and Washington, D.C. are classified as "medium" for community transmission. See county-by-county assessments and guidance at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Going Livestream

If any in-person registrant wishes to opt out of participation because of personal health concerns (including illness) they may switch to livestream access at any time. Access to the livestream is available to all participants via the Digital Companion, a password-protected webpage for participants to access the agenda, speaker information and presentation resources.

ARSA has created a Google Album including photos taken during the 2024 Annual Conference, which allows participants to share their own photos (Sharing event photos constitutes consenting to their use/distribution in association with Conference-related publicity for this or future events, at ARSA’s discretion). To see the album, click here.

Materials and Recordings

The Digital Companion (the much discussed online resource for event materials and resources, to which access information is sent to attendees via email and provided from the lectern on each day) is the location for PDFs of all presentations as well as links to additional resources discussed during the event. It also includes an attendee directory (in the “General Resources” area) and information about accessing the livestream sessions and raw recordings.

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Registration

Registration for the 2024 Annual Conference is closed. For questions about the 2024 event or to look ahead to 2025, contact ARSA.

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