Airlift/Tanker Association Convention General Overview

AGENDA: Every year the Airlift/Tanker Convention and Symposium follows the same general outline. Within that general framework, however, is an extremely fluid agenda that is driven by symposium content availability, transportation schedules, DV speaker schedules, etc., etc. It is so ever-changing that even printing an agenda in time to hand out to participants onsite is difficult.

But, for planning purposes, the general outline can be framed with approximate times that will vary. The Convention and Symposium is a 4-day event starting with an evening reception and ending with an unstructured Departure Brunch on the 4th day. Badges must be worn for all activities, including evening social events.

The Day Before

  • Registration is open in the afternoon for early arrivers including golfers and exhibitors.

Day 1
(Thu)

  • Registration is open the day-before and the day-of the Golf outing and Opening Reception.
  • Golf takes place in the morning of the first day, prior to official convention activities, usually a shotgun start at 0800. Depending on course location, there will be transportation times pushing that earlier. You do not need your badge for golf; however, there may be insufficient time between golf and the opening reception, depending on your plans, to pick up your badge. Pick it up the afternoon prior if possible.
  • Registration closes before the Opening Reception. This means you must be registered and have picked up your badge prior to the reception. There will be no further opportunity for this until the next day. If you are registering onsite, it will take extra time, perhaps an hour during the afternoon crush. Without a badge confirming payment for the evening reception, you can't go to the reception or the evening social activities. Arrive early!
  •  The Opening Event usually is a business-casual Reception in the Exhibit Hall, normally starting at 1900. This could change depending on possible special presentation requirements. . Following the reception will be a hosted evening social activity to include CRUD starting about 2100.

Day 2
(Fri)

  • Day-2 program starts very early, usually around 0630, for coffee and rolls. Registration will be open for yesterday's late arrivers. The day will be filled with multiple simultaneous seminars of critical interest. You may not be able to see everything you might like.
  • After a very short break for a change of clothes, day two concludes with a "coat & tie" reception in the exhibit hall followed by more evening social activities to include CRUD finals.

Day 3
(Sat)

  • The day-3 program will be a continuation from day-2. The "business suit" reception will likely start a bit earlier, 1800, because it will be followed by a Special Banquet, preceding evening social interaction.

Day 4
(Sun)

  • Departure-day Brunch is at leisure, usually from 0630 to 1030.