Oct. 10, 2003

For more information contact:
Michele Rouse
515-239-1691
michele.rouse@dot.state.ia.us

Iowa Aviation Conference to be held in West Des Moines

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Transportation has released the names of speakers for the Iowa Aviation Conference to be held Oct. 16 and 17 at the West Des Moines Marriott. The conference is co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation and the Iowa Public Airports Association, and is open to the public. 

John McLaughlin, chief Meteorologist for KCCI News Channel 8 in Des Moines, will be the keynote speaker. McLaughlin has a long aviation background and has logged more than 3,500 hours of flight time. For years, he has been using his experience as a pilot to promote and educate the public on the valuable role aviation plays in Iowa.  He frequently flies around the state in his Robinson Beta II helicopter visiting schools to promote aviation. 

Other conference speakers include key officials from the Transportation Security Administration in Washington, D.C. They will speak to conference attendees on general aviation airport security issues, and potential new federal regulations.

“The annual Iowa Aviation Conference is the premier event for aviators, community leaders, business officials, educators and decision makers to assemble to discuss aviation issues facing Iowa,” said Iowa DOT Director Mark Wandro.

To register for the conference, visit iowaairports.com and click on the 2003 Iowa Aviation Conference box located in the middle of the page, call Association Insight at 515-251-8640 or e-mail registration@iowaairports.org.

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