AAAA 2013 Convention is ON! Register Today!

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan,
“Here we go again.”

We got through the 2001 tornado in downtown Fort Worth that struck the night before we opened the AAAA Convention and lost half our hotel rooms and shut all the interstates. We made it through the “Tailhook” aftermath when all military conventions were considered no-go events for our government attendees and speakers. We survived the opening of the then brand new Opryland National Harbor in Washington, DC with mice in the sleeping rooms, Norovirus, cross wired meeting rooms and all. And now we have a new challenge…sequestration.

Bottom line is that AAAA is GO for 2013.

Things are changing daily with respect to speakers but we will have a new program agenda out shortly. Again, to turn a well known unit’s motto to our cause, “Army Aviation Doesn’t Quit”. We will get through this challenge as we have all the others.

"AAAA:
Supporting the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family"

Dear AAAA Members:

This week we received word from TRADOC headquarters that due to the 1 March Sequestration deadline, they cannot support a request for TDY funds for Soldiers to travel outside their local areas. However, the language of their statement indicated that their position could change based on future conditions.

In our continuing effort to provide timely, relevant and accurate information, AAAA wants our government, civilian and industry partners to know that we are absolutely going forward with our AAAA Annual Professional Forum in Fort Worth 10-13 April 2013. In light of this decision, we have added a number of aspects to the 2013 AAAA Forum to ensure our continued commitment to take care of the U.S. Army Aviation Soldier and Family.

First and foremost we are making the Annual Forum attractive for families to attend should our members decide to take leave and enjoy a few days off. Check out the Six Flags and other cultural and fun attractions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at http://www.fortworth.com/aaaa/.  We will also be coordinating busing and encouraging attendance by our local Soldiers and Families from neighboring installations.

In addition, a NATO conference will occur simultaneously at our venue in Fort Worth. We have confirmation that they will attend our professional forum, and we'll have a number of foreign general officers speaking on our AAAA panels. They will be given guided tours of the AAAA Exhibit floor. We will provide details, as they become available, on scheduling your organization for a visit by these potential FMS customers.

AAAA is also all about Soldier recognition. We will be flying in our awardees such as the leaders of the AC/USAR/ARNG Units of the Year, as well as the Aviator, Crew Chief, Soldier, NCO, and Safety Officer of the Year. Additionally, we will induct three members into the Hall of Fame and present the AAAA President's award to GEN Butch Saint, USA Retired.

You won't want to miss the 30th Birthday of our Army Aviation Branch on Friday night, April 12.

And last, but certainly not least, we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the AAAA Scholarship Foundation at our Saturday night benefit Banquet with entertainment by Trace Adkins. Thousands of our Soldiers and families have benefited from this outstanding AAAA membership benefit. Come out and support them.

The bottom line is that we will keep you informed as we receive further information that may affect our Annual Forum. Rest assured, we are driving on as Army Aviation Soldiers have always done in the face of adversity. We assure you that our most senior leaders are 100% supportive of the AAAA and realize the value of our Annual Forum to the Army. They are doing everything they can to be there and make this a professionally rewarding exchange of information across the community.

We will get through this challenge as we have all the others.

AAAA looks forward to another successful venue as hundreds of our already contracted industry exhibitors, thousands of pre-registered attendees and our foreign partners convene in Fort Worth Texas, 10-13 April 2013.

AAAA National Executive Group