VAN NUYS AIRPORT’S AVIATION EXPO RATED #1 AIRPORT SPECIAL EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA

(Van Nuys, CA)- Van Nuys Airport’s Aviation Expo 2001, sponsored by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), recently received a first-place award in the 2001 Excellence in Marketing/ Communications Contest by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) in Washington, D.C., the nation’s leading airport association. The airport’s Aviation Expo 2001 entry in the "special events" category won out of nearly 266 entries from 66 North American airports. The event promotional video also won Honorable Mention in the Video & Film Productions category.

This year’s air show on June 23-24 drew more than 325,000 aviation enthusiasts and raised a record $95,000 for local nonprofit youth and service organizations. Aviation Expo has been a tradition in the San Fernando Valley since 1963, and is considered the City of Los Angeles’ largest, free family event.

"Van Nuys Airport’s Aviation Expo is a key community outreach program of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)," said Lydia H. Kennard, LAWA's executive director. "We are pleased that it has been recognized by Airports Council International as an outstanding special event and proud of the Van Nuys Airport team for making it a tremendous success each year. Planning is already underway for the 2002 Expo and an even bigger air show in 2003 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Van Nuys Airport and LAWA."

ACI-NA members span the entire continent and represent approximately 150 governing bodies that own and operate airports. Member airports handle over 95 percent of the domestic, and all of the international air passenger and cargo traffic in North America.

Aviation Expo 2001 materials will be on display at the 10th ACI World/North America Conference in Montreal, September 12.