Nearly 650 attendees made for a record-breaking night at Main Street Station in Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, January 25 at the VABA annual Aerospace and Aviation Legislative Reception. Industry presented the latest innovations for the aviation and aerospace industry before Governor Glenn Youngkin, his administration, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, members of the Virginia General Assembly, and hundreds of industry representatives.
The annual VABA Legislative Reception continues to be the most exciting industry event during the General Assembly Session. Governor Youngkin delivered remarks, reinforcing his continued support for Virginia’s aviation, aerospace, and unmanned systems industry as a crucial element of the Commonwealth's economic success and emphasized that “the industry is SOARING to great heights.” The Governor also placed special emphasis on promoting aviation and aerospace careers among school age children and young adults, in order to develop tomorrow’s larger, highly qualified workforce.
The VABA recognized Delegate Terry Austin for his efforts to continually promote the aviation and aerospace industry in the Commonwealth. The VABA also acknowledged Mark Flynn for his dedication to the industry during his tenure as Director of the Department of Aviation from 2018 to 2021. Finally, the VABA expressed its gratitude towards Mike Mickel, Jr. for his more than 22 years of unwavering commitment and dedication to promoting aviation in Virginia through many capacities, the most recent serving as the Chairman of the Board.
Many thanks to event sponsors and exhibitors for their participation in making the event an incredible success. This year the event hosted fifty exhibitors, six Virginia Universities and Colleges, five teams of Drone operators, Civil Air Patrol cadets from the Virginia Wing USAF—Aux Civil Air Patrol and more. Aerospace sponsors like NASA Langley Research Center, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia Space and SAIC thrilled the guests with their incredible exhibits. Having the indoor designated space for the Drone demonstrations added another level of excitement too. Shannon Air Museum and the Winchester Regional Airport exhibited for the first time. This was a great day for presenting all technology that operates above the blade of grass, to the stars.
Check out highlights from this year's annual VABA Legislative Reception, HERE.
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