HELI-EXPO 2009: The Countdown Begins

Preparation for HELI-EXPO 2009 in Anaheim, California is well underway. Exhibitor registration has been open for more than three months and attendee registration for one month. All indicators point to another successful convention and exposition. HELI-EXPO 2009, the world's largest helicopter gathering, will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, February 22 - 24, 2009. This year's event is extra special as Helicopter Foundation International (HFI), an HAI affiliate, will hold its first annual fundraising golf tournament at the Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, California. All proceeds from this event will go towards HFI's Scholarship Program, which assists students interested in pursuing a career in the helicopter industry. The tournament is scheduled for a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start on Saturday, February 21 - the day before the official start of HELI-EXPO 2009.

HELI-EXPO is the world's largest event dedicated to the international helicopter community. Last year 17,373 aviation professionals, including more than 565 exhibiting companies, attended the show. Sixty-five helicopters shared the showroom floor, which featured avionics, accessories, components, and other related products.

HELI-EXPO 2009 will open on Sunday, February 22, 2009, with the Annual General Membership Meeting and Breakfast where HAI President Matt Zuccaro and Chairman Patrick Corr will deliver their remarks. This will be followed by the annual HAI press conference where journalists from the trade, business, and general media will have an opportunity to ask in-depth questions on pressing issues. The opening ceremony begins promptly at 10:45 a.m.

HELI-EXPO is a great chance to mingle with other aviation professionals. Social events, parties, dinners, receptions, with much camaraderie keep evenings exciting and great for networking. Other scheduled HAI events include the Membership Reception; the Job Fair, with companies from around the world seeking to fill positions on the spot; and the annual "Salute to Excellence" Awards Banquet, to be held on February 23 at 8:00 p.m. In addition, Helicopter Foundation International will offer a number of educational courses on days before and after the show.

So, register today! Currently, a ‘Full Registration' package includes entrance to the exhibit hall for all three days; admission to all forums, symposia, and workshops; access to all manufacturers' technical briefings; a one-year subscription to ROTOR magazine; a ticket to the "Salute to Excellence" Awards Banquet; and a canvas tote bag, compliments of Rolls-Royce. The canvas bag will include the 2009 Helicopter Annual, the winter issue of ROTOR magazine, and the HELI-EXPO 2009 Official Program and Exhibit Guide.

Don't miss this great event! Exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to make hotel reservations as early as possible. For more information, and to register, go to www.heliexpo.com/register. See you in Anaheim!

For further information on the HFI golf tournament, visit helicopterfoundation.org/golf. The cost of the event is $250.00 per player - with a discount of $25.00 per player for foursomes that sign-up before November 1, 2008. The price of the event includes a continental breakfast and awards barbeque buffet, along with a complimentary bag featuring a FootJoy® glove, Black Gold golf towel, Black Gold bag tag, and a sleeve of three golf balls! Also, a GPS enabled golf cart will be provided for each registered participant. Bus transportation will be provided from the Anaheim Convention Center to the course. HFI has various sponsorships available including Title Sponsor, BBQ Sponsor, and Hole Sponsor. These sponsorships provide companies the opportunity to promote themselves, while helping to build the future of aviation.

For sponsorship information contact Dennis Nichols, HFI's Special Advisor for Special Projects, at longbike@xmission.com or call him at 435-655-5664. To sign up to play in the tournament, email Libby Meade at libby.meade@rotor.com or call her at 703-360-1521. To learn more about the Black Gold Golf Club golf course go to www.blackgoldgolf.com.

HAI is the professional trade association for the international helicopter industry. HAI's 1,600-plus-member organizations and 1,100 individual members, in more than 74 nations, safely operate more than 5,000 helicopters approximately 2.3 million hours each year. HAI is dedicated to the promotion of the helicopter as a safe, effective method of commerce and to the advancement of the international helicopter community.