Annual Conference

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 18, 2025

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. Schedule Subject to Change

9:00 a.m. | Introductory Briefing

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10:00 a.m. | U.S. Department of State

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

With an eye to the volatile geopolitical environment, Deputy Assistant Secretary Gomez will discuss issues impacting bilateral relationships, the bilateral negotiation process, and opportunities to influence the development of bilaterals.

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11:00 a.m. | Break

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11:15 a.m. | Regulatory Reform: Opportunities and Risks

Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty and Director, CPAC Foundation Center for Regulatory Freedom

As an advocate, policy communicator, academic, and radio talk show host, Langer has dedicated his career to building public awareness about the shortcomings of the federal bureaucracy and, more importantly, how to improve government oversight. He will discuss the historic opportunity presented by the Trump administration to improve government operations and how the business community can help steer reform in the right direction.

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12:15 p.m. | Talking Trade and Tariffs

Dak Hardwick, Vice President, International Affairs, Aerospace Industries Association, Invited 

The aviation maintenance industry is facing supply chain disruptions and the potential impact of tariffs on parts and raw materials.  Hardwick will discuss risks in the current environment and opportunities for the aerospace industry to steer the public discussion about aviation manufacturing, trade, and tariffs in the right direction.

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1:00 p.m. | Lunch

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2:00 p.m. | Importing Talent: Challenges and Opportunities

Laura Footre Reiff, Shareholder, GreenbergTraurig, Founder, Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, Invited

EWIC is a broad-based coalition of businesses and trade associations that support comprehensive immigration reform to address the technical talent shortage. Reiff will discuss opportunities to improve the U.S. immigration system and share strategies for importing talent.

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3:00 p.m. | Break

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3:15 p.m. | Economic Impacts

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

Hayes 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.

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4:00 p.m. | Wrap Up

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Legislative Day: Wednesday, March 19, 2025

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

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8:00 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions

Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA

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Alex De Gunten, Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs, HEICO and ARSA 2025 Government Affairs Chairman

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8:15 a.m. | It's All About Your Industry and Your Company

Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA

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9:00 a.m. | The View from the Hill

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

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

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Moderator: Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA

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9:45 a.m. | Break

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10:00 a.m. | National Defense Authorization Act: Accomplishments and Opportunities

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

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

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Mandy Smithberger, Senior Adviser, National Security, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)

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Moderator: Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA

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10:30 a.m. | Strengthening Our Roots

Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA

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11:00 a.m. | Global Fleet & MRO Market Report Release presented by Oliver Wyman

Livia Hayes, Director, Oliver Wyman Vector

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11:30 a.m. | Wrap Up

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12:00 p.m. | Lunch & Adjourn

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1:00 p.m. | Congressional Meetings Begin

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TBD | Presentation of 2025 Legislative Leadership Award

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TBD | House Aviation Subcommittee Staff Briefing (on Capitol Hill)

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4:00 p.m. | Symposium Registration Open (for non-Legislative Day attendees)

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5:30 p.m. | Ice-Breaker Reception

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7:00 p.m. | Special Invitation Dinner

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Annual Repair Symposium: Thursday, March 20, 2025

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

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8:00 a.m.  | Welcome and Introductory Remarks – What ARSA Has Done Lately

Sarah MacLeod, Executive Director, ARSA

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Christian Klein, Executive Vice President, ARSA

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

Caitlin Locke, Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service

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Moderator: Sarah MacLeod, Executive Director, ARSA

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9:00 a.m. | Break

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9:30 a.m. | Session 2: Opening Salvo – Conversations with the Regulators

Lawrence Josuá Fernandes Costa, Continuing Airworthiness Certification Manager, Department of Flight Standards, ANAC Brazil, ONLINE

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Ludovic Aron, Washington Representative, EASA

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Karl Specht, Principal Coordinator Organisation Approvals, EASA, ONLINE

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Robert Ruiz, Acting Executive Director, Flight Standards Service, FAA, Invited

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Dan Elgas, Director, Policy and Standards Division (AIR-600), Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, Invited

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Neil Williams, Head of Airworthiness, Policy & Rulemaking, United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority

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10:45 | Break (Approximate; Session 2 to continue)

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12:30 p.m. | Lunch and Special Presentation

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2:00 p.m. | Best Approaches to Rulemaking

Tony Fazio, President, Fazio Group International

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Lirio Liu, Executive Director, Willow Aviation Advisors

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Sarah MacLeod, Executive Director, ARSA

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Moderator: Brett Levanto, Vice President of Operations, ARSA

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3:00 p.m. | ARSA Quiz Show

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3:30 p.m. | Break

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4:00 p.m. | More than an Apprentice

Jennifer Evans, CEO, Compressed Gas Systems

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Quincy Gellerman, Student

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Moderator: Brett Levanto, Vice President of Operations, ARSA

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5:00 p.m. | Aerospace Happy Hour

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Member Day: Friday, March 21, 2025

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 and Breakfast

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9:30 a.m. | Break

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10:00 a.m. | Training Sessions & Breakout Discussions

HazMat Determinations – An ARSA training session on determining whether your company is a Hazardous Materials employer under the rules in 49 CFR and the regulatory requirements that all maintenance providers should heed. (One Hour)

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Complying with Foreign D&A Requirements – An ARSA training session helping repair stations get ahead of the December 2027 compliance date for the new rule expanding drug & alcohol testing requirements to facilities located outside the United States. All maintenance personnel, regardless of location, should understand the industry-wide impact of the new rule. (One Hour)

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Repairman to Specialist – An open discussion with industry and education leaders on developing career (and certification) pathways through 14 CFR part 65 subpart E.

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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. Paying registrants for livestream access may share with multiple company contacts. Livestream participation will include a mechanism for submitting questions to onsite personnel.

Pricing

Executive to Executive Briefings
Open to Administratium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver-level sponsors.
Legislative Day – Wednesday, March 19
	Members		Non-Members
	First	Additional	First	Additional
In-person	$400	$360	$600	$540
Livestream Free with in-person registration.	$400		$600
Symposium – Thursday, March 20
In-person	$900	$810	$1,250	$1,125
Livestream Free with in-person registration.	$900		$1,250
Legislative Day & Symposium Bundle
In-person	$1,100	$990	$1,500	$1,350
Livestream Free with in-person registration.	$1,100		$1,500
The Super Bundle (Silver Sponsorship, E2E, Legislative Day, & Symposium)
In-person	$4,200		$4,500
Livestream Free with in-person registration.
Member Meeting & Training/Breakouts – Friday, March 21
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 – $20,000

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.

2024 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

2024 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

2024 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.

2024 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.

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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 Street Arlington, Virginia, 22202

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

Event 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

Complete "raw" recordings are accessible by attendees via the Digital Companion. The ARSA team will utilize recorded content throughout the year in support of its communications. If you’re looking for a specific segment or need assistance with a recording, contact ARSA.

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.

The association encourages all members to build year-round relationships with their elected officials. Use the same tools made available to Legislative Day attendees at arsa.org/congress.