2025 Annual conferenceThank you. Those two words are so simple but contain so much gratitude. A big thank you to all our sponsors + exhibitors (logos with links listed below), speakers, attendees, and board of director volunteers. Everyone made this year's annual conference a great success. During lunch the Ohio Aviation Foundation awarded 4 scholarships to the following individuals:
There were several awards giving to OAA members.
2025 for the conference. Award RecipientsDuring lunch the Ohio Aviation Foundation awarded 4 scholarships to the following individuals:
There were several awards giving to OAA members.
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conference attendanceOver 200 individuals descended upon the Renaissance Downtown Columbus on Tuesday, May 6 through Thursday, May 8, 2025 for the conference. |
Conference Survey & CE Credits
Survey: Please take a moment to fill out this 5 question survey about the event: https://s.surveyplanet.com/hbod65tl
Continuing Education Credits: If you need continuing education credits you must fill out the survey and click here to fill out the attendance form. Once your survey is complete and your attendance form is returned to Tony@ohioaviation.org you will receive your certificate of attendance.
Conference Recap
The event began with the annual OAA Board of Directors business meeting. Here the OAA Board of Directors welcomed new board members a welcome message from outgoing OAA President Amanda McGee and an introduction of incoming OAA President Matt Schnelle.
New Directors:
- Dwight Bowden, Ashtabula County Airport Authority, Northeast Ohio Regional Airport (HZY)
- Jerry Eichenberger, Attorney, Lex Aero
- Josh Herrmann, Assistant General Manager, Signature Aviation
- Josh Tattrie, Manager, Allen County Regional Airport (AOH)
- Casey Kinosz, Director, Airport Operations/AOC, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- Randy Partika, Director of Engineering & Construction, Western Reserve Port Authority, Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG)
- Vernon Stultz, Director - Program Controls, KDG Construction Consulting
- Seth Timmerman, Manager, Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport (SGH)
- Alan Wolfson, Secretary/Treasurer, Airport Manager, Warren County Airport Authority, John Lane Field (I68)
- Daniel J. Zenk, Deputy Director of Aviation, Dayton International and Dayton Wright Brothers Airport (DAY)
- Christian McCauley, Communications & Marketing Manager, Akron-Canton Airport (CAK)
Directors Continuing (2nd term):
- Alan Wolfson, Secretary/Treasurer, Airport Manager, Warren County Airport Authority, John Lane Field (I68)
Attendees then heard presentations on economic development projects at Ohio airports and funding opportunities; developments with our commercial service airports; and the future of geo-mapping for Ohio airports.
Later that evening, the OAA hosted a legislative reception welcoming lively conversation amongst conference attendees and members of the 136th Ohio General Assembly.
The next morning, attendees were engaged in a Legislator Aviation Panel. The panel featured Ohio legislators including The Honorable Bernard Will, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, The Honorable Nickie Antonio, Senate Minority Leader and Ranking member of Senate Transportation Committee, and The Honorable Michele Grim, Ranking member of the House Transportation Committee.
Next up attendees heard about general aviation airport advanced air mobility readiness and collaborations happening in the Appalachian region from Northeast Ohio to Western North Carolina.
Attendees then made their way to breakout sessions. Topics included airside and landside concrete pavement designs; the shifting landscape in Washington and infrastructure funding landscape; and VFR into IMC avoidance.
Over lunch attendees heard about the new OAA Credentialing project. OAA is in the process of updating the Airport Manager’s manual (not done since 1999) and develop both in person and online learning resources for it membership.
After lunch attendees heard important updates from ODOT’s Office of Aviation, Administrator, Jim Bryant; Airport Engineer, John Stains; Aviation Planner, Mark Groves while Matthew Preisler, Aviation Planner/Project Manager, Consultant, provided an update on the Ohio Airport System Plan to Ohio airport stakeholders.
Next up were a series of breakout sessions focused on the state of aviation real estate and cargo facilities; the problem of too many projects and too little space; and the role of UAS, AI, and data driven decision-making.
The next panel discussion focused on Ohio's next frontier - building a spaceport for innovation and exploration. The day wrapped up with a fireside chat about the development going on in Cleveland and the Aerozone.
On Thursday morning attendees heard about flight school development in Ohio. Then the topic of airport utilization of ADS-B aircraft tracking and how airports use this technology provided a lively discussion.
Attendees then moved into a series of breakout sessions on maintenance and management of airport pavements; a discussion on traditional versus sustainable aviation fuels; and a regional use case for advanced air mobility (AAM).
Before lunch attendees heard all about recent hanger projects around the state.
The conference concluded by roundtable discussions among general aviation and commercial service airports.