Annual Conference

Aviation technician education’s premier event is scheduled for March 17-20 at WSU Tech. This year’s agenda is jam-packed with something for everyone. Instructors, administrators, career services personnel, designated mechanic examiners, company recruiters and workforce development professionals are encouraged to attend.

4004 N. Webb Road
Wichita, KS 67226
316.677.9400
​www.wsutech.edu

Flights

Fly direct to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport from eleven U.S. cities. Search for routes, destinations and schedules by clicking on this interactive map.

WSU Tech is located on Colonel James Jabara Airport (ICAO: KAAO, FAA LID: AAO), a public airport located nine miles northeast of the central business district of Wichita. Attendees may therefore “fly-in” to the conference in lieu of commercial travel. 

Accommodation

​Aloft Wichita Northeast
Welcome reception location and 3.6 miles from WSU Tech
3642 N Oliver Ave Wichita, Kansas 67220
316-744-1100
Book online until Feb. 13 for the group rate of $119/night, or call and request the ATEC rate
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Courtyard Wichita East
​Located 1.5 miles from WSU Tech
2975 N. Webb Road, Wichita, KS 67226
316-636-4600
Book Online until Feb. 19 for the group rate of $104/night, or call and request the ATEC rate

Transfers and Rentals

Shuttle bus service will be provided for all conference events, including transfers to and from the hotels to WSU Tech. However, the hotels do not provide airport shuttle service, here are the recommendations for airport transfers:

• Rental cars are available at Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport.  For more information, visit https://www.flywichita.com/ground-transportation/.
• Uber, Lyft and Taxi are available.  The estimated cost of an Uber is $25 each way.  (Rates vary, depending on demand)

For those that wish to see the sites in Wichita, rental cars are recommended. Ample parking is available at WSU Tech for those that elect to drive in lieu of taking the event shuttle.

Registration

Register here. Registration fees include all meals and activities.

• ​Member rate: $495 per person
• Non-Member rate: $990 per person

Agenda

Sunday March 17, 2019

12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Exhibitor Setup at WSU Tech Hangar

1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ATEC Board Meeting at WSU Tech

4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Registration at Aloft Wichita Northeast

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Committee Meetings at Aloft Wichita Northeast

5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception at Aloft Wichita Northeast, sponsored by

Monday, March 18, 2019

7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Registration at WSU Tech Commons

7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open

7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast, Welcome and Exhibitor Spotlight, sponsored by

8:15 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Keynote Address
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9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. General Session I: What We Have Done for You Lately
Hear what the council is doing through and for its members.

9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Networking Break, sponsored by

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​10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.  General Session II: Aviation Policy Briefing
Get an overview of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiatives impacting aviation maintenance technician education and workforce development.

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. General Session III: Choose Aerospace
A coalition of aviation stakeholders are coming together to build awareness about careers in aviation. Hear what’s on the horizon for the campaign.​

12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. ​Awards Luncheon, sponsored by

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. General Session IV: We're Hiring
Employers are hiring, what are they looking for? Have a candid discussion with corporate human resources personnel about hiring criteria and candidate shortfalls.

2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Networking Break, sponsored by

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. General Session V: Pathway Programs
Aviation Pathway is Kansas’ first aviation technical education program that allows students to receive a technical certificate at high school graduation, creating the potential for immediate employment within the aviation industry. Hear more about the initiative and how stakeholders successfully garnered community support.

12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Student Career Fair
Employers are invited to participate in the first ever ATEC-facilitated student career fair. Advance registration is required for student participants.

5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Employer Link
A networking reception for educators and industry to discuss workforce needs and career pipeline programs and opportunities. 

Tuesday March 19, 2019

7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Registration

7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Exhibitor Hall Open

7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Morning Address

9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Networking Break

9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Concurrent Breakouts (download the breakout descriptions)
Each breakout is one hour long unless otherwise indicated. WSU Tech and NCAT tours will also run continuously throughout the day.

1. Admin Track

2. Regulatory Track

3. Talent Sourcing Track

4. Instructor Track

5. Technical Training Track

​Testing Expansion: ODA

Airman Cert. Standards

Apprenticeship Programs

Science Fair

Daniels Precision Electrical Termination (2 hours)

Pathway Programs

ACS-Integrated Curriculum 

Human Resources Roundtable

Augmented Reality

 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Food Truck Lunch

Distance Learning

Airman Testing Developments

Airbus RV-12 Program

Teaching Techniques 

Snap-on Torque Instruments and Sheetmetal Assembly (2 hours)

Military Transitions

Mechanic Testing, a New System

Soft Skills

Book Club

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Closing Remarks & Exhibitor Door Prizes

5:00 p.m. Exhibitor Break Down

6:00 p.m. Dinner at Stearman Field Bar & Grill, presented by

Wednesday March 20, 2019

8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Industry Facility Tours
Get a tour of local aviation company operations. Details will be announced as they are finalized.

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Craft Beer Crawl
Wichita is home to several burgeoning craft brewing destinations. Plan to stay in Wichita one more night and join us for what should be a memorable evening.

Thursday March 21, 2019

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner Renewal
Required recurrent training presented by the FAA (separate registration required). Registration will open by Feb. 20, 2019.