After two dismal events, the folks at the Army Aviation Association of America are pulling out all the stops to give exhibitors what they want at the upcoming convention – warm bodies clad in OD green.

Government-mandated travel restrictions turned last year’s venue into a ghost town. But this year should be different.  First, AAAA has taken the bold step of funding travel for more than 150 Department of the Army personnel.  AAAA’s $250,000 investment was a bold and necessary step to assure attendance and entice exhibitors.

The Nashville location will help, as will the entertainment  – Trisha Yearwood will perform at the Soldier Appreciation Dinner.

AAAA is attempting to distance itself from the past by renaming the event itself. It’s now known officially as the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit, though the chances of that sticking are extremely thin.

Either way, we’ll be there, May 4-6 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.