AOPA Aviation Summit Commits to Palm Springs in 2012… and 2014

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has committed to hold their general aviation trade show and convention, AOPA Aviation Summit, at the Palm Springs Convention Center Oct. 11-13, 2012 and Oct. 9-11, 2014.

The AOPA Aviation Summit features dozens of aircraft on display at the Palm Springs Convention Center, more than 400 booths in the exhibit hall and an enhanced education series offered over the course of three days.

The organization has not been to Palm Springs since 2006.  Since then, almost $200 million has been spent to build new hotels and upgrade existing facilities. The summit is expected to generate $12 million in economic impact.

The return to Palm Springs also means the return of the popular Parade of Planes, traveling the mile from Palm Springs International Airport to the convention center.  Palm Springs is the only city that allows for this option.

In addition to interactive displays, educational opportunities and hundreds of exhibits, there will also be time for more social events.  The goal in Palm Springs is to offer a range of social activities that will allow pilots to connect in a meaningful way while taking advantage of the best the city has to offer.

AOPA will also use the Aviation Summit to reveal the lucky winner of this year’s Tougher than a Tornado sweepstakes aircraft, the 2011 Aviat Husky. It is a rugged, hand-crafted two-seater aircraft that can land on a wide variety of surfaces, including grass, sand beaches and river beds.