Aviation Day Expands! Industry growth, economic development the focus for Mar. 1

The Kansas Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, in partnership with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE) will hold their 4^th annual Aviation Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 1.

The event was initially created to provide networking opportunities and industry exposure but has expanded in scope and purpose. During this year’s event, a large gathering of legislators, manufacturers, suppliers, and aviation organizations, is structured specifically to help facilitate industry growth opportunities and address development potentials for Kansas economic stakeholders.

To facilitate, KDOT Division of Aviation will host an economic development training event for city officials at Memorial Hall from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., before the start of Aviation Day. This will prepare commerce and development stakeholders to discuss, with over 36 industry leaders, how best to harness state and local resources to boost the aviation industry and best address global aviation and UAS needs for the future.

“This event highlights strong partnerships that Kansas manufacturers enjoy as a globally recognized aviation team,” said Bob Brock, KDOT’s Director of Aviation. “We are honored by the enthusiastic response to this event, and look forward to a year of growth for this industry.” 

In addition to the available industry development opportunities throughout the day, the event also serves to spread awareness regarding STEM and aviation education through the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE). Lindsey Dreiling, President of KCAE, also highlighted the mentorship opportunities that the event provides Kansas aviation organizations. “Today, we celebrate the opportunity for aviation leaders to shape the future of our state by leveraging their resources to train Kansas youth as leaders of tomorrow.”

Companies that will be present include: Airmap, Bombardier, Garmin, Spirit Aerosystems, Textron Aviation, University of Kansas Engineering, Wichita State University, Lee Aerospace, Kansas Air National Guard, Westar, AOPA, Butler Community College, Burns & McDonnell, Civil Air Patrol, Commemorative Air Force, Cosmosphere, Explorer Post 8, Flight Safety, Garver, Kansas Associate of Airports, Manhattan Regional Airport, Kansas Agricultural Aviation Association, Kansas State Polytechnic, Lifeteam, NIAR, Pilots for Christ, Pulse Aerospace, VAA, Wichita Aero Club, Exploration Place, Dodge City Community College, Kiewit, Kansas Aviation Museum, EAA Chapter 88, NBAA, Wichita Area Technical College, NCAT, National Weather Service, and Mission Aviation Fellowship