Virgin America's Cush to Headline Airport Conference Agenda

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 24 -- Virgin America President and CEO C. David Cush plans to return to his home state to headline a strong lineup of aviation industry speakers at the American Association of Airport Executives' (AAAE) historic 80th Annual Conference and Exposition in New Orleans, June 8-11, AAAE announced today.

Cush, born and raised in Shreveport, La., has some two decades of executive-level airline experience. He is slated to speak during the conference's June 9 opening session.

"Adding David Cush to the AAAE annual conference speaker lineup is a major boost to our already strong program," said AAAE Senior Executive Vice President Spencer Dickerson. "He will contribute significantly to the dialogue between airports and airlines, which is one of the conference's goals."

The 80th Annual AAAE Annual Conference and Exposition, hosted by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, will take place at the New Orleans Convention Center. The event is expected to attract some 2,500 aviation professionals representing hundreds of airports, as well as leading suppliers and vendors, airline personnel, and representatives from FAA, TSA and DHS. The conference exhibit hall will feature some 250 of the airport industry's leading suppliers.

Joining Cush on the list of featured speakers will be senior officials from FAA and TSA, as well as major airports and others. The four-day agenda features a range of timely industry topics, including airport congestion, inline baggage screening, green airports and the checkpoint of the future.

All attendees will be treated to a special evening of entertainment at Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, hosted by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. AAAE also has a special set of events lined up for attendee spouses and guests who register for the conference.

Registration for the 80th Annual AAAE Annual Conference and Exposition is open. Registration is available online at http://www.aaae.org/annual2008. The site also includes information on how to participate as an exhibitor or sponsor, as well as a current agenda. Questions about the conference? Contact AAAE's Meetings department at (703) 824 0504.

ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE (http://www.aaae.org) is the world's largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry.