Over 115 Flight school operators, managers, chief flight instructors and others came together in San Diego, CA last week to discuss, explore and learn from various conference presenters what is new and exciting in the world of flight training.

Both the formal presentations and the workshops again offered a real time opportunity to get the latest and greatest information. The 2015 conference was the largest in FSANA's history and included over 20 supply chain partners with exhibits. Based on early feedback from attendees, the 2015 event delivered pertinent information that will assist flight schools in their day to day business operations.  

The date and location for the 2016 conference should be announced within the next few weeks. FSANA has already heard that the 2016 event will be larger and the conference committee will start working on 2016 in the near future.

Speaking as the keynote address during lunch on the second day of the Sixth Annual Flight School Operators Conference in San Diego, long time and very successful aviation training industry leaders, John and Martha King discussed strategies and techniques that flight schools can use to "power market" to both new and existing customers.

Highlighting their own story of success through hard work and building their own brand, they talked about the experience they have and discussed some of the lessons they have learned, some that they have seen others learn, and some that they have developed through their business experience.

John and Martha highlighted some of the changes they have seen since starting King Schools. They emphasized that flight schools become early adapters of new marketing methods to reach modern customers while not forgetting about traditional marketing channels. While "Internet" or "Social Media" marketing is a new part of the marketing mix, flight schools should not disregard traditional methods such as direct mail or telemarketing that are still powerful channels to reach potential customers.

An important point they highlighted was not just the need to market the product you are providing to customers, but to also give customers all the necessary information they will need to make an informed decision for choosing your product, the motivation to do so, and a way to do it. As a part of flight training providers' marketing efforts, they should be sure to tell their customers what they want them to do and how they want them do do it. Promise your customers something, ask them to do something, and make it easy.

There is no doubt that the experience that John and Martha King have within the aviation training industry is vast and something from which the attendees of the conference and the rest of the flight training industry can learn. FSANA is grateful for the time that they spent with attendees at the Sixth Annual Flight School Operators Conference.