May Conference 2022 - Register today!
Beyond COVID: A Focus on Sustainability, Technology and Opportunities
The BCAC is pleased to extend an invitation to our first post-COVID, in-person conference at the beautiful Inn at Laurel Point in scenic Victoria, BC, from May 15th-17th.
Speakers include Greg McDougall, Harbour Air Seaplanes, Danny Sitnam, President and CEO of Helijet International, and David Curtis, President and CEO of Viking Air (retired) and the past-Executive Chair of Longview Aviation Capital, just to name a few! Click on the Conference Registration link below for more information including ticket availability/pricing, agenda and speaker profiles.
Current agenda attached to this email.
Attractive May Conference Sponsorships Still Available
A wide-range of sponsorship opportunities are still available for the May Conference 2022 "Beyond Covid: A Focus on Sustainability, Technology and Opportunity" in Victoria. This includes, for the first time, the ability to setup your vertical banner in the main presentation room for a $125 contribution. This draws on a past BCAC tradition of producing vinyl signs and mounting them high on the conference walls at all hours of the evening! Don’t have a vertical banner? Westholme Graphics, with their focus on aviation graphics and printing, is offering top quality vertical banners (including graphic design and delivery to the conference) for $435.
Copy of the Sponsorship Opportunities memo is attached to this eNewsletter.
Canada’s Regional Aviation Industry: The Critical Modern Infrastructure Required for Post-COVID Socio-Economic Recovery
One of the fundamental mandates of the BCAC is advocate for the aviation and aerospace industry in British Columbia. To this end, the BCAC prepared a written submission for the pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2022 federal budget. This was undertaken in close partnership with our industries multiple national associations based in Ottawa. Read the BCAC's recommendations here. As details from today's budget rollout, we will see if we were heard.
Scholarship Winners 2020 and 2021
Normally we celebrate our amazing scholarship winners in person during our annual Silver Wings event at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, however, Covid has put a big wrench in that endeavour. So instead, we our celebratIng our winners and some of their thoughts over four Frequent Flyer Special Editions. This is batch number three.
Madjid Mohammadi, Anne and Rudy Bauer Memorial Bursary ($1,000)
I've been always pursuing the dream of becoming an aviator, but it was almost impossible to happen in my motherland due to a variety of factors. After settling down in my new country I decided to make that dream comes true. Now, the work is in progress!
On a personal level, this scholarship reinforces my self-confidence and gives me greater powers of resilience. And by feeling this support from the aviation family, I'd trust a brighter future to come after this challenging time.
Jericho Tomlin, Anne and Rudy Bauer Memorial Bursary ($1,000)
The reason I got into aviation would most likely be my grandfather. Although I’ve never met him on a personal level. The flying stories I was told as kid in my family definitely lit the flames for my own passion. And, believe it or not, without those funds from this bursary, I wouldn’t be where I am right now in my commercial training. So a very special thanks to both the Council, and the actual bursary funders. For everything you have done not just for me, but for everyone, you will continue to support.
Matthys Pischke, 2021 PAMEA Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Scholarship ($1,000)
2021 PAMEA Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Scholarship will let me add to the toolbox! Pay off the tool truck quicker and set myself up nicely for whatever the future holds. It's an honor to be chosen and I wish everyone a productive and busy new year.
Kyle Smaaslet, PetroValue Airport Management and Technical Training Scholarship for $2,500
The recent flooding events have shown us how much of a pivotal role emergency management and the aviation community has to play in British Columbia and the PetroValue Airport Management and Technical Training Scholarship will help me immensely to focus and push forward on both these paths. I am extremely honored to be selected for this award and want to thank BCAC and PetroValue for their support.
Victoria Airport Authority Sustainability Plan 2020-2024
Three values that can be attributed to Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) are sustainability, accessibility and human resources. At the Victoria International Airport (YYJ), these are not just words on a sheet of paper – we have turned them into actions.
Attached to this edition of Frequent Flyer is our active Sustainability Plan 2020-2024. At YYJ, we are surrounded by the natural beauty of our coastline. As our airport facilities grow to meet new demands, there is also the understanding that we will continue to reduce our impact on the environment and increase our positive contributions to the community. In developing our goals and targets for our 2020-2024 Sustainability Plan, we’ve referenced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. This plan includes ambitious targets and actions that are aligned with our company values and guiding principles, Strategic Plan 2020-2024, our Airport Master Plan, and the Global Goals to ensure our areas of focus are forwarding the globe’s most pressing issues.
Ease and efficiency are also key to our essence. This is most recently demonstrated by receiving the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified Gold rating. This is a nationally recognized certification program and YYJ is the second airport in British Columbia and fourth in Canada to achieve this rating.
Human resources are also key to our continued excellence. As one of BC’s Top 100 Employers for the second consecutive year, this is an area of focus and pride. This recognition is a direct reflection of the dedication and commitment of the employees that build and sustain an exceptional workplace
The past 20-months have also placed great emphasis on the health and safety of our passengers, partners and employees. Safety is our top priority and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic through achieving the Airport Council International (ACI) Health Accreditation and implementing our TravelSafe YYJ program affirms our commitment to ensuring passengers and airport employees feel safe and confident at the airport.
Our industry is facing a critical human resources shortage as we recover from the pandemic. Strong scholarship programs in aviation and aerospace are part of the medium-term solution to this crisis. This is just one reason why VAA is pleased to support the BC Aviation Council and its rapidly expanding scholarship program.
May 15-17, YYJ is pleased to be the host airport for the BC Aviation Council’s “Beyond Covid” conference at the Inn at Laurel Point. Join us and 138 Colleagues for our “getting back to work” conference focussing on the issues that may have slipped during COVID-19: sustainably, emerging technologies, impact of RPAS (drones), current policy issues, and opportunities. Some of Canada’s leading speakers and organizations will be there and combined with first class networking opportunities.
Victoria Airport Authority manages and operates Victoria International Airport, which is located on the homelands of the W̱SÁNEĆ People whose historical relationship to the land continues to this day. YYJ is the 11th busiest airport in Canada with almost 2.0 million passengers per year (2019 stats). Victoria is normally well served with up to 100 daily passenger flights throughout North America.
YYJ was rated among one of the top ten most loved airports by CNN Travel and was twice named best regional airport in North America by Airports Council International.
Victoria Airport Authority is a not-for-profit authority that has managed the safe and secure operations of the Victoria International Airport on behalf of the surrounding communities since April 1, 1997.
