Annual Conference

Unless otherwise noted, all Annual Conference activities take place at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. Specific sessions subject to change.

Executive to Executive Briefings: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Participation by industry executives with senior executive branch officials is limited to annual conference sponsors at the Administratium, Platinum, Gold, or Silver levels. In past years, meeting participants included representatives from the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Defense, Labor, State, and Transportation as well as the fellow trade associations and industry interest groups.

8:30 a.m.	Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:15 a.m.	Introductory Briefing Christian A. Klein, ARSA Executive Vice President Klein will review the association’s antitrust statement, discuss the purposes and agenda of the 2026 E2E, and review recent ARSA initiatives.
10:00 a.m.	Federal Aviation Administration Bryan Bedford, Administrator, Invited The Administrator will discuss his vision for improving FAA’s professionalism and effectiveness and invite feedback on the agency’s current challenges.
11:00 a.m.	Break with Fruit & Muffins
11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.	U.S. Department of State Marco M. Sylvester, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs With an eye on the volatile geopolitical environment, Deputy Assistant Secretary Sylvester will discuss issues impacting international relationships, the negotiation process, and opportunities to influence bilaterals in these times.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.	U.S. Department of War James Ruocco, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Invited Concern is growing about concentration and a lack of competition in the defense industrial base. Mr. Ruocco will discuss the Department’s efforts to improve access to the data needed to bid on and perform aircraft maintenance contracts and status of regulatory reforms to enhance use of FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval.
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.	Lunch/Midday Break
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Trade and Labor Jennifer Bang, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, Invited Ms. Bang will explain the rationale for the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs and how trade policy will evolve over the remainder of President Trump’s term.
3:00 p.m.	Break with Coffee, Tea, Soda, Iced Tea
3:15 p.m.	Economic Impacts Livia Hayes, Director, Market Intelligence Team, Transportation and Services Practice, Oliver Wyman and Paul Harper, Vice President, Oliver Wyman Vector Hayes and Harper will reveal the findings of the most recent Oliver Wyman MRO industry forecast and lead a roundtable discussion of factors and trends impacting demand for aerospace maintenance services.
4:00 p.m.	Wrap up Discussion Participants will discuss key takeaways and opportunities for collective action.
Additional Content Options	ARSA's team is working with colleagues and government contacts to lead discussion on workforce and career development issues as well as to get top-level aviation policy guidance from the Department of Transportation.

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Legislative Day: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

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 and Breakfast
8:00 a.m.	Welcome and Introductions Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA Alex De Gunten, Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs, HEICO and ARSA 2026 Government Affairs Chairman
8:15 a.m.	It’s All About Your Industry and Your Company Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA Last year was another banner year for the maintenance industry on Capitol Hill. We will discuss recent accomplishments, the political landscape, industry priorities for 2026, and building on our success.
9:00 a.m.	The View from the Hill Karen Huggard, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Air Transportation Association, invited Jarrod Thompson, Vice President for Legislative and Regulatory Policy, Airlines for America, invited Moderator: Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA The looming air traffic control reform bill provides opportunities to adjust FAA policy and related congressional mandates before the next FAA reauthorization.
9:45 a.m.	Break
10:00 a.m.	National Defense Authorization Act: Accomplishments and Opportunities Josh Krotec, Senior Vice President, First Aviation and ARSA Board Member Alex De Gunten, Senior Vice President for Government & Industry Affairs, HEICO and 2026 ARSA Government Affairs Chairman Mandy Smithberger, Senior Adviser, National Security, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Moderator: Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA The annual Pentagon budget and policy bill can be used to enhance competition and opportunities for small aerospace businesses in Department of Defense maintenance contracting. Panelists will discuss 2025 accomplishments and 2026 opportunities.
10:30 a.m.	Playing the Political Game Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA Holly Woodruff-Lyons, President, HWL Aerospace Policy, Invited The 2026 congressional elections provide an opportunity for the aviation maintenance industry to further build its political visibility and effectiveness. Klein will review individual campaign law finance contribution limits, discuss ways companies can build relationships with candidates, and explain how members can tap into ARSA PAC resources.
11:00 a.m.	Release of ARSA's 2026 Global Fleet & MRO Market Report Livia Hayes, Director, Market Intelligence Team, Transportation and Services Practice, Oliver Wyman
11:30 a.m.	Wrap up Discussion Christian A. Klein, ARSA Executive Vice President A quick review of topics for this afternoon’s Hill meetings with an opportunity to ask questions.
12:00 p.m.	Adjournment and Box Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Congressional Meetings
TBD	Presentation of 2026 ARSA Legislative Leadership Award to Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.)
TBD	House Aviation Subcommittee Staff Briefing
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

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Annual Repair Symposium: Thursday, March 19, 2026

The centerpiece of Conference week, ARSA convenes a full day of substantive panel discussions covering key regulatory compliance and business issues. After the keynote address, regulators from across the world join the full-morning "Opening Salvo" conversation, followed by lunch and an afternoon of practical regulatory and business discussion.

7:30 a.m.	Registration and Breakfast
8:00 a.m.	Welcome and Introductory Remarks Sarah MacLeod, Executive Director, ARSA Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA Find out how the association is advocating for your interests with legislators, regulators, and the media. Information on how you can help advance the industry’s collective work.
8:30 a.m.	Session 1: Fireside Chat with the FAA Tina Amereihn, Associate Administrator, Aviation Safety Oversight and Certification Organization Moderator: Sarah MacLeod, Executive Director, ARSA
9:00 a.m.	Break with Coffee/Tea
9:30 a.m.	Session 2: Opening Salvo—Conversations with the Regulators  Stewart Algar, Chief Surveyor, Head of Airworthiness, United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Lawrence Josuá Fernandes Costa, Continuing Airworthiness Certification Manager, Department of Flight Standards, ANAC Brazil Ludovic Aron, Washington Representative, EASA Karl Specht, Principal Coordinator Organisation Approvals, EASA, Invited Caitlin Locke, Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA Tim Adams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Safety Standards, Flight Standards Service, FAA, Invited Moderator: Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA International aviation safety agencies will provide updates on the regulations, policies, and procedures of importance to the global aerospace sector.
10:45 a.m.	Networking Break (Approximate) – Coffee/Tea
12:30 p.m.	Lunch with Lessons from a Hall of Famer John Goglia, President, Professional Aviation Maintenance Association
2:00 p.m.	Session 3: Foreign Repair Station D&A/SMS implementation Ric Peri, Vice President, Government & Industry Affairs, Aircraft Electronics Association Karl Specht, Principal Coordinator Organisation Approvals, EASA, Invited Chris Parfitt, Manager, General Aviation Group (AFS-340), Flight Standards Service, FAA Moderator: Brett Levanto, Vice President of Operations, ARSA Foreign and domestic part 145 certificate holders are dealing with new regulatory mandates. The panel will discuss lessons learned in the implementation of SMS requirements for U.S. repair stations and ARSA’s compliance, advocacy, and education efforts related to foreign repair station D&A.
3:00 p.m.	ARSA Quiz Show
3:30 p.m.	Networking Break
4:00 p.m.	Session 4: Perspectives on Career Growth Adam Flynn-Tabloff, Director of Policy, Research, and Evaluation, Office of Career and Technical Education, U.S. Department of Education Tristan McDonald, President, Federal Aerospace Institute, Invited Andrew Rachmell, Director, Educational Partnerships, Purdue Global Brett Levanto, Vice President of Operations, ARSA Many call a mechanic’s certificate a “license to learn,” but any career in aerospace maintenance – certificated or not – is a “license to grow.” Engage three different perspectives on how individuals and companies can turn entry level into life long.
5:00 p.m.	The Aerospace Happy Hour

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Member Day: Friday, March 20, 2026

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 participating in breakout and/or training sessions focused on key aerospace topics. The Conference ends by 12:00 p.m. EDT.

8:00 a.m.	Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast
9:30 a.m.	Break
10:00 a.m.	Breakout Sessions Integrate or Overlay A training/discussion session on “designing, implementing, and maintaining” a safety management system that integrates with existing quality programs. Foreign D&A Waivers and Exemptions A training/discussion session to help repair stations get ahead of new drug & alcohol testing requirements while understanding rule applicability regardless of location.
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. All in-person registrants will be able to name a "Conference Ambassador" as a contact to access the livestream and bring the event back to their home facilities.

Pricing

Executive to Executive Briefings – Tuesday, March 17
Open to Administratium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver-level sponsors.(1)
Legislative Day – Wednesday, March 18
	Members		Non-Members
In Person or Livestream	$450		$750
Symposium – Thursday, March 19
In Person or Livestream(2)	$925		$1,500
Legislative Day & Symposium Bundle
In Person or Livestream	$1,250		$2,000
The Super Bundle (Silver Sponsorship, E2E, Legislative Day, & Symposium)
In Person or Livestream	$4,200		$4,500
Member Meeting & Training/Breakouts – Friday, March 20
In-person	Free with Symposium registration.
Livestream

(1) See sponsorship opportunities for exclusive access to the Executive to Executive Briefings (E2E) on Tuesday, March 12 and other complimentary benefits.

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(2) Registration fees may be waived for government personnel, members of the media, speakers, and other support personnel or special guests upon approval by the ARSA event team.

Note: While ARSA will accept new sponsors at any time leading up to the event, the sponsor list that will appear on event signage has been finalized (lead time is required to create signs). For information about committing your organization to the Annual Conference, contact ARSA Vice President of Operations Brett Levanto. To download a sponsorship overview containing the information below, click here.

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Administratium – $15,000

What is Administratium? An element aerospace professionals see every day (click here to learn more). 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, additional advertising placement via ARSA’s communications, 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 Administratium Level, sponsors may select one of the following* to specifically support (please note the list in this document does not reflect current availability):

• Annual Repair Symposium – Ice Breaker Reception
• Annual Repair Symposium – Thursday Happy Hour
• General Sponsorship

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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, 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 2025):

• Online Conference Experience
• Executive to Executive Briefings
• Legislative Day – All Day
• Congressional Directories/Resources
• General Sponsorship

* All sponsorship support selections are subject to availability. The ARSA events team will discuss alternative suggestions.

 

2025 Platinum Sponsors

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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, 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 2025):

• 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
• Nametag Lanyards
• Hotel Room Keys
• General Sponsorship

 

2025 Gold Sponsors

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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):

• Annual Repair Symposium – Coffee Break (5)
• General Sponsorship

2025 Silver Sponsors

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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.

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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.

2025 Contributor

ARSA has reserved a block of rooms for Conference participants at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. 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 reserve a room within the block, utilize the link/url below. For assistance, call 703.415.5000. Conference reservations must be booked by Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.

https://book.passkey.com/go/ARSAAnnualConf2026

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.

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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.

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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.

Legislative Day attendees should reach out to their congressional offices to schedule member and staff meetings on March 18. Get started using the same tools available to members year-round: arsa.org/congress.  

Photos

ARSA has created a Google Album including photos taken during the 2025 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.

Recordings

The following excerpts were provided to ARSA members via the hotline newsletter. They are included here as examples of the event's content.

Legislative Day Briefing – Market Report Release

Leaders from Oliver Wyman Vector presented report findings to Legislative Day participants on March 19, illustrating the current and projected states of the North American and global aircraft fleets and related impacts on maintenance demand. This data illustrates the current state of the aerospace marketplace and provides insight for future business considerations. The briefing is provided in its entirety for the benefit of members.

Symposium Briefing – What Has ARSA Done Lately

The brief session includes updates about key work performed by the association in the last year as well as instruction for maximizing membership value while helping move the enterprise forward.

Symposium Q&A – Foreign D&A Testing

The three-hour “Opening Salvo” is unlike anything else in the aerospace event cycle: Four regulatory authorities from three continents providing updates and engaging in substantive discussion with attendees. In this clip from the 2025 panel, a participant question produces more than ten minutes of discussion from the panelists.

Weston Award Recognizes Crowley’s Commitment to Learning

On March 20, ARSA recognized Jerry Crowley with its Leo Weston Award for Excellence in Government Service. Crowley is a long time FAA aviation safety inspector who was a professional protégé and friend to the award’s namesake.