MODAERO

MODAERO NextGen Aviation Festival picks up more ‘mo with addition of Sean Tucker as keynote

Jerry Hepperle — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:29:50 +0000

Feb 22, 2016 1:24pm GMT
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The inaugural MODAERO NextGen Aviation Festival, set to launch in Conroe, Texas on March 16-19, 2016 (see my 12/14/15 post), recently announced legendary aerobatic pilot and instructor, Sean D. Tucker, as its keynote speaker. Tucker’s March 16 address, sponsored by Oracle, will take place in the Lone Star Convention Center, site ofthe MODAERO career fair held that same day. The center is adjacent to the Lone Star Executive Airport (KCXO), part of the 32-acre festival grounds. With MODAERO’s focus on supporting millennials with or seeking a career in the aviation industry, Tucker will focus on the benefits of giving back and paying it forward while pursuing your life passion.

“We are thrilled and honored to have Sean D. Tucker as the keynote speaker of our inaugural event,” said Brian Columbus, founder of MODAERO. “Sean’s dedication and commitment to advancing Aviation for the next generation of pilots is in unison to our mission. We look forward to hosting him and sharing his message with our audience.”

The day-long career fair brings a cross-section of employers from the general, commercial and business aviation industries together with prospective employees and interviewees. Additionally, numerous academic institutions including LeTourneau University, Spartan College, and the USAF Academy will be promoting their flight schools and aviation program opportunities. Tucker’s appearance and the career fair kick off the MODAERO festival, a 4-day mix of fly-in, trade show, seminars, entertainment, networking and socializing expected to attract several thousand attendees from across North America.

The Cobalt Valkyrie, Diamond DA 62, and Pilatus PC-12 are among numerous aircraft that will be exhibited by manufacturers of everything from LSA’s to business aircraft. Several restored warbirds from Commemorative Air Force will also be displayed, with a ride in the P-51 Mustang “Pecos Bill” being raffled off. The Drone Experience will include hands-on clinics, product demos and showcase the growing sport of FPV Drone Racing

The daily trade show includes sponsors and exhibitors such as Jeppesen, Cirrus Aircraft, and Zenith Aircraft. AOPA, an inaugural anchor sponsor of MODAERO, will also be covering the event for its streaming video services, Fly-By and AOPA Live.

A diverse lineup of daily speakers includes Embry-Riddle alum Shaesta Waiz, who later this year will attempt to become the youngest female ever to attempt a solo flight around the world, and Colin Cutler of BoldMethod, Kevin Lacey of TV’s “Airplane Repo”, and Emily “Miss Maverick” Carpenter, among others.

When the day ends, MODAERO keeps the festival going with live music, food trucks, a BBQ night and a craft brew gathering. Nightly outdoor live entertainment features everything from rock to hip hop to blues and, being Texas, country. This year’s headliners include national recording artists Robert DeLong, Bri Bagwell and American Fangs. Guests can also attend screenings presented by the likes of filmmaker Kim Furst, the 2015 Combs Gates Award recipient for her documentary “Flying the Feathered Edge: The Bob Hoover Project.”

MODAERO at KCXO is approximately 20 miles north of Houston’s George Bush Airport (IAH). KCXO is a towered airport offering multiple 7000’ runways and a trio of FBO’s. Conroe offers a variety of lodging options, several with special rates for MODAERO attendees, and aircraft, tent and RV camping are available on the festival grounds. To reserve tickets and for full information, visit www.modaero.net, and visit the MOADERO Facebook page for news and updates.

(DISCLAIMER: Author Ron Kaplan serves as the Director of Sponsorship for MODAERO)

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ModAero Event Aims For “NextGen” Pilots

Jerry Hepperle — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 22:11:25 +0000

By Mary Grady , Contributing Editor | February 3, 2016
The organizers of ModAero, a “next-generation aviation festival” set for March 16 to 19 near Houston, Texas, say they are offering a “fresh take” on the traditional aviation event, with the goal of attracting a younger demographic, especially pilots in the 16 to 39 “millennial” age range. “That’s where all the growth is happening, and there’s an opportunity to try something new and different, to engage people and get them involved in aviation,” show organizer Brian Columbus told AVweb. “What’s different about our show is that many of the presenters are their peers, and the events all are geared more toward that demographic group.” The event also promises to deliver good food, lots of music in a range of genres from country to hip-hop, and a strong social-media presence.

Columbus said the show is timed to coincide with college spring break. The Texas venue was selected for its central location, plus an abundance of local pilots. The programs will include a career fair, a drone expo, happy-hour events and a wide range of speakers. Topics for educational presentations will include aviation entrepreneurship, building a resume, airshow flying and more. Information and tickets are available at the ModAero website, which also includes info about accommodations — airport camping is available for $25 a night and local hotel rooms start at $75.

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MODAERO Partners with F3Expo for “The Drone Experience” at MODAERO

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 23:04:30 +0000

CONROE, TX (December 29, 2015) – NextGen Aero, Inc., organizers of the MODAERO #NextGen Aviation Festival, have established a strategic partnership with the organizers of this year’s F3Expo, to produce “The Drone Experience at MODAERO.” The announcement comes a just six weeks after the Inaugural F3Expo held at the Georgia Dome and Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.

MODAERO’s founder, Brian Columbus, initiated the partnership after witnessing F3Expo’s innovative events.

“We were blown away by the quality of their event and knew this was something we wanted to do for MODAERO 2016,” said Columbus. “Drones/UAS’s (Unmanned Aerial Systems) are not just a hobby, they’re a quickly growing segment of aviation. We feel it’s very important to integrate their responsible, practical and entertainment use into the aviation industry. This is the dawn of a new consumer and commercial aerial revolution. There’s no better event to showcase their capabilities and invite pilot collaboration than MODAERO.”

The Drone Experience will be an integral part of the MODAERO festival and will include a drone/UAS exhibitor expo, educational presentations, drone demonstration cage and indoor drone racing. Although details of the event are being finalized, The Drone Experience will build upon the successes of the F3Expo, as well as, offer new content and exhibitions. It will also mark the first-ever drone-themed expo in Texas.

F3Expo, was the first conference and expo specifically designed for drone hobbyists, bringing together all facets of this fast-growing community: prospective owners, novice to expert pilots, aerial photographers, technology enthusiasts, champion racers, retailers and manufacturers. F3Expo featured workshops, hands-on demonstrations and an expo hall with the latest drones, gear and components. It also featured educational content on drone regulation, flying, video and photography techniques and safety topics. F3Expo hosted both FPV races and a freestyle competition featuring some of the world’s most well-known drone pilots.

“We are very excited to partner on ‘The Drone Experience at MODAERO,’” said Christine Hilgert, SVP of Meeting Expectations, Inc. producer of the F3Expo. “MODAERO is focused on contemporary aviation and the industry’s future, so it was a natural match for us to bring the latest and greatest in drone content to the event. It’s going to be innovative, collaborative and fun this March in Conroe, TX.”

MODAERO on Social Media:

Twitter: @modaeronet; hashtag #MODAERO
Instagram: @modaerofest; hashtag MODAERO
Facebook: facebook.com/modaeornet
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ModaeroYoutube

Location:

Lone Star Executive Airport (KCXO), 10260 Carl Pickering Memorial Dr, Conroe, TX 77303

Lone Star Convention Center, 9055 Airport Rd, Conroe, TX 77303

Glossary:

FPV – First-person view is a method to control a radio-controlled vehicle from the pilot’s point of view.

UAV – Unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard.

About MODAERO: The Inaugural MODAERO #NextGen Aviation Festival is organized by NextGen Aero, Inc. a Non-Profit Corporation. The purpose of MODAERO is to engage, educate and empower the growth demographic in aviation; Millennials ages 16-39. The Inaugural event will be held March 16-19, 2016 at the Lone Star Executive Airport (KCXO) and adjacent Lone Star Convention Center 20 miles north of Houston in Conroe, TX. Information on the event can be found at www.modaero.net.

Contact:
Brian Columbus, Founder
NextGen Aero, Inc.
[email protected]
844-MOD-AERO
844-663-2376

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AOPA Sponsors MODAERO 2016

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 03:18:37 +0000

CONROE, TX, December 14, 2015 – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has reached an agreement with NextGen Aero, Inc. for Anchor Sponsorship of the Inaugural MODAERO NextGen Aviation Festival to be held March 16-19, 2016 at the Conroe – North Houston Regional Airport in Conroe, Texas.

“MODAERO was created to meet the untapped demand for an aviation event featuring the topics, interests and culture unique to Millennials,” said Brian Columbus, Founder of NextGen Aero, Inc., producer of the event. “This demographic, despite being the most thriving in the industry, is lacking a real-world venue to celebrate their own version of aviation culture and community,” said Columbus. “We have seen an explosion in GA’s online and social media spheres, but there has been no purpose-built events targeting this growth demographic. We believe this level of community participation is the key to growing the aviation population again.”

AOPA Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Jiri Marousek was an early-adopter of MODAERO’s engagement strategy. “The AOPA team is looking forward to supporting MODAERO on launching this new event concept that brings a new perspective and focus,” said Marousek. “”We are looking forward to seeing this Millennial-centered, high-energy event concept come to life for this critical part of the aviation community.”

Although terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed, MODAERO is cognizant of the value-add created by establishing a strategic partnership with the world’s largest aviation association. “Having the support of AOPA for marketing, planning and programming is invaluable to us. We couldn’t ask for a better strategic sponsor for our Inaugural Event,” said Columbus.

ShareAviation.com Co-Founder Jason Stewart said, “Over the past several months, the event team has reached out to a number of companies and organizations that understand the dire importance of engaging the growth demographic in aviation. Millennials are the vital base of today’s aviation market as they represent 78% of all new pilots. AOPA has been ahead of the pack in acknowledging the importance of that mission and their support of MODAERO exemplifies that.”

MODAERO has steadily garnered sponsorship support from aviation’s leading companies and organizations. Current sponsors include AOPA, ExpressJet Airlines, AvWeb, National Association of Flight Instructors, BoldMethod, ShareAviation, Spartan College and others. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ron Kaplan via email at [email protected].

ABOUT MODAERO

Mission Statement: “To engage, educate and empower the growth segment of the aviation population.”
Target demographic: Aspiring and active pilots, mechanics and engineers ages 16-39
Millennial Pilot Market Share: 238,000 Pilots (40% of Total), 94,000 Student Pilots (78%), 51,000 Commercial Pilots (43%) and 34,000 Instructors (34%)
Attendance/Participation: 5,000 Daily Attendees, 800 Fly-In Aircraft, 300 Exhibition Aircraft, 300+ Companies in Exhibition
Organizer: NextGen Aero Incorporated, a non-profit Texas corporation
MODAERO Management: Team: Group of young aviation executives led by Brian Columbus, Publisher of Atlantic Flyer Newspaper & Jason Stewart, Founder of com (AOPA Partner)
Contact Info: Brian Columbus, 844-MOD-AERO, www.modaero.net

ABOUT AOPA

Since 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly for thousands of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts. AOPA is the world’s largest aviation member association, with representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., Wichita, Kans., and seven regions across the United States. AOPA provides member services that range from advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, flight planning products, safety programs and award-winning media. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org

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MODAERO Sponsor Announcements – October 2015

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 02:23:21 +0000

We are proud to announce the following sponsors of the

MODAERO NextGen Aviation Festival 2016:

We sincerely appreciate your support and commitment to the future of aviation. We’ll see you at MODAERO!

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What is MODAERO???

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 01:42:42 +0000

MODAERO is an Aviation Event built for modern times. Let’s face it…things have changed since most Cessna 172’s were new. The face of aviation is changing too. Today, more than 40% of pilots are under the age of 40. But you won’t find an abundance of this group at Sun N Fun, Oshkosh, Sebring or other regional aviation events.

Why is that..? Well the pundits chalk it up to this group being a “small segment of the aviation population” (#Hardly). According to FAA records, there are more than 300,000 active pilots in this group in 2014 and they represent 78% of all new pilots. Maybe instead of guessing why this is true, you might want to ask anybody under 30 why they don’t like these events…we did:

“I don’t feel welcome (there). Everyone is older and into their own deal.”

“It’s just not fun. They serve bad food, play outdated music and it’s the same old thing every year.”

“Warbirds don’t interest me and there’s nothing interesting about it.”

Despite the fact we think Warbirds are cool, we hear you. So we decided to create an event that is new, different and fresh…something for us. We took one part aviation fly-in, mixed in the vibe of a music festival and threw in a career fair…to help you pay the bills. We’ve invited some of the top companies in the industry to come and show us what they’re doing. We are recruiting speakers and developing content that you care about. There are people like you doing amazing things in aviation and we want you to meet them. Most importantly, we want you to share your experiences with other like-minded aviation folk.

So we hope you’re in and that we’ll see you at MODAERO 2016.

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Story on MODAERO in AOPA

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 18:05:25 +0000

Excerpt:from AOPA Story on September22, 2015

Organizer Brian Columbus said the first MODAERO #Nextgen Aviation Event takes aim at mobile and ultra-hip millennials and will offer the next generation of aviators live concerts, camping, and career fairs along with a steady stream of aviation seminars and static airplane displays March 16 through 19, 2016, at Conroe’s Lonestar Executive Airport north of Houston.

Millennials represent 40 percent of all pilots and 70 percent of student pilots, according to the FAA. Columbus said setting the MODAERO aviation event during spring break showcases an opportunity to reshape the aviation industry so that it’s attractive to younger people through a celebration of culture, lifestyle, and marketing. “This generation grew up with the Internet, they live on their cell phones, they’re hypermobile, and tech savvy,” he said. “They are motivated by experiences and receptive to events, more so than with traditional marketing. The purpose of MODAERO is to give them their own space, communicate to them on their own terms, and repackage aviation in a way they can consume it.”

Click here for the full story.

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