Avionics News June 2022 - 50

AEA INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW
Continued from page 48
Jim Alpiser accepts
the 2022 AEA
Associate Member
of the Year award
on behalf of Garmin.
association, one in which I
hold such high regard. " He
added, " Our world is quite
different " than when he
addressed the association as its
new chairman in Palm Springs,
back in 2019.
" Just a few months after
that show, our lives would be
changed forever as we faced
the worst health crisis in more
than a century, " he recalled.
" Today, we continue to face
those challenges brought
forth by the pandemic, and
our industry is faced with
supply chain issues like never
before. " Joyce, who resides in
the United Kingdom and was
subject to pandemic-related travel restrictions preventing
U.S. entry, noted he was attending his first AEA
Convention in three years. " However, this morning, I
am pleased to report that we can again truly call this our
'international convention and trade show' as
we have nearly 50 avionics professionals from
outside of the United States. "
At his first meeting with then-incoming
association President Mike Adamson in 2019,
" We were both keen to take an objective look
at all aspects of the AEA to see where it could
be modernized and improved upon, " Joyce
recalled. " But at the same time, we were
respectful of the association's history and
very much understood the principle of 'don't fix what
ain't broken.' " That meeting started a strategic planning
process, Joyce told attendees. " As a result, the board
of directors and the strategic planning committee have
been engaged in the process and now the association's
board and staff members have a clear vision of the road
ahead for the AEA, " he explained, encouraging members
to become involved as the association expands its
committees and their size.
" When I look back on what's been achieved during
my tenure, it fills me with great pride. Despite the many
50 avionics news * june 2022
James Temple
challenges we currently face in our industry, I know the
association is in great hands, " he added in his closing
remarks. " We have strong leadership that is focused on
membership and how best to improve our valuable services.
" As I complete my term as board chairman, I want to
thank the association's membership for the
opportunity to serve and the confidence you
have entrusted in me, " Joyce concluded.
Next to address attendees was AEA
President Mike Adamson, who officially
welcomed attendees and thanked them for
being in New Orleans. After the recent history
outlined by outgoing chairman Joyce, " The
health of the general aviation industry is best
described as resilient, " he said. " We have seen
significant improvement in flight activity; specifically,
business aviation is up 40% year over year. Even before
some of the supply chain issues, backlogs were growing
at our shops, and 80% reported that they are hiring now
or will hire before the end of the year. "
The chaser? " Not everything is blue skies though.
Inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions are
creating headwinds that will impact installers and
manufacturers who are already dealing with constraints
in their supply chain. On top of all that we still need
qualified technicians, " Adamson reminded attendees.
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