AOPA Expo is virtually assured to break attendance records, according to spokesman Chris Dancy. He said that as of late Friday, the number of registered delegates was more than 10,900. The current record (set in 2002 when the event was also held in Palm Springs) is 11,700 and there is still a full day left. “I think 12,000 is reasonable to expect,” Dancy told AVweb. He said weekend attendees from the nearby Los Angeles basin could swell the numbers even higher, given that the weather (sunny and temperatures in the low 80s) is expected to hold.
Those hoping to fly into Palm Springs today are advised to check ahead, however. By 10 a.m. on Friday, Palm Springs tower was diverting AOPA traffic to nearby Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport because all 1,200 parking spaces at Palm Springs International were full. There’s a shuttle bus operating to and from both airports every 20 minutes.
Record Attendance at AOPA Expo 2006
Key Takeaways:
- AOPA Expo is on course to break previous attendance records, with over 10,900 delegates registered by Friday and expectations to exceed 12,000 attendees.
- High attendance has led to severe parking limitations at Palm Springs International Airport, where all 1,200 spaces were full by Friday morning.
- AOPA traffic is being diverted to Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, with a shuttle bus service running between the two airports every 20 minutes.
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