The GMAA provides a forum for the sharing of opinions and concerns of the industry, government, civic leaders and others with an interest in the past, current and future activities of aviation.
Marshall “Sandy” Sinick
Patricia Thorp

MIAMI, Jan. 26, 2005 – Aviation lawyer Marshall “Sandy” Sinick will chair the 13th Annual International Airline CEO Conference, which will take place May 8-10, 2005, in Miami Beach, Fla. Public relations and marketing expert Patricia Thorp will serve as vice chair.

Sinick, a partner with the international law firm of Squire Sanders & Dempsey, leads the transportation group in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. He represents airlines, aviation-related businesses and civic organizations before agencies such as the Department of Transportation, Department of State, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Justice, as well as various federal and state courts.

Thorp is the founder and president of Thorp & Company, a full-service public relations and marketing firm located in Coral Gables, Fla. The firm has handled crisis communications and managed integrated marketing programs for major U.S. and international airlines and other companies in the aviation industry.

Guy Booth, president and CEO of AvGroup, which organizes the conference, said Sinick and Thorp bring a tremendous depth of knowledge about airline industry issues.

“We’ll benefit from their expertise, and we’re expecting a number of other senior-level speakers and participants,” Booth said.

Confirmed speakers include America West CEO Doug Parker, JetBlue CEO David Neeleman, Junta Aeronautica Civil Director General Bernardo Dominguez Philippi, Department of Transportation Deputy Director Jeffrey Shane, Arab Air Carrier Organization Secretary General Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Spenser Stuart Partner Michael Bell and Delta Airlines Vice President of International Alliances Jorge Fernandez.

The theme of the conference is “Turnaround Time,” which reflects the recent positive turn in some Latin American economies and how this is paving the way for the growth of low-cost carriers, single branding and common codes.

The International Airline CEO Conference will be held at the Fontainebleu Hilton Resort in Miami Beach. For more information, visit www.ceoconference.com, or call (305) 876-9339.