AOPA pulls convention out of Palm Springs

News Channel 3 has confirmed that the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, has decided to not hold their aviation summit and convention in Palm Springs in 2014 due to a strategy change.

The convention was last held in October 2012 at the Palm Springs Convention Center and at the end of the festivities organizers announced they would be returning in 2014.

“We have decided to meet members where they fly,” says Katie Prybil, V.P. of Communications for AOPA. ” We will hold many regional events, which makes it easier for our members to connect in areas where they fly. The decision had nothing to do with the City of Palm Springs directly, in fact we appreciate all the city has done for the conventions in the past. It was a hard decision, Palm Springs has been wonderful,” said Prybil.

James Canfield, Executive Director of the Palm Springs Convention Center and Bureau of Tourism says “We value the relationship we have with the AOPA and are hopeful that if they decide to hold another large convention we can work with them to come back to Palm Springs.”

In was projected that the convention filled about 5,000 room nights and brought nearly 10 million dollars to the Valley in 2012.