Critical Weeks Ahead for Ag Aviation: FAA Reauthorization & 2018 Farm Bill, Tower Marking and Regulatory Relief, Respectively

The end of the fiscal year for the federal government is Sept. 30, and with that comes two major deadlines important for the ag aviation industry. Both the Farm Bill and FAA reauthorization need to be passed before the end of the fiscal year. If not passed, at a minimum both will be extended, but that could push responsibility for them to the next Congress, where party control and leadership changes could make both bills looks very different.

FAA Reauthorization

The last full FAA Reauthorization was passed in 2012, and the agency has been operating under multiple extensions since Sept. 30, 2015.

 

After House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster removed his provision to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system, the House passed a six-year FAA reauthorization bill in April 2018. The Senate has been much slower to pass a reauthorization bill due to a busy legislative schedule and controversy over non-aviation related amendments. Members of the House and Senate met last week in a “pre-conference” to hammer out differences in both bills while the Senate works on it’s amendment process.

 

The most important issue NAAA is working on during this process is preserving marking requirements for towers in rural areas between 50 and 200 vertical feet and an above-ground base up to 10 feet in diameter. In 2016, NAAA was successful in having Congress enact a law requiring the marking and logging of such towers into a database. The wireless communications industry came out in-force against these marking requirements.

 

The House-passed bill weakens tower marking requirements by allowing communication towers that meet the 2016 requirements to be marked or placed into a database, but they would not be required to do both. MET towers would still be required to be both marked and put in a database. NAAA is not satisfied with this compromise and is attempting to have Congress modify this approach so that non-MET towers constructed before the regulation goes into effect will have a choice to either mark or log into a database; however, all newly constructed towers should be both marked and put into a database. NAAA believes this addresses one of the tower industry’s biggest arguments of the cost and safety challenges marking existing towers.  All future towers could be properly marked before the tower is erected to address these concerns.

 

NAAA is working with members of the House and Senate to make sure they know the weakening of tower marking requirements puts the safety of ag aviators at risk. Additionally, the number of communication towers in the U.S. is growing. In 2000 there were 60,000 towers for wireless communication in the U.S. Today there are 150,000, and by 2025, 200,000 towers are expected.

 

Also, the NTSB is in the process of potentially revising a safety alert by recommending all MET towers be properly marked to include recommending all towers, both MET and communication, be marked if they have the same visual characteristics and size dimensions (under 200 feet, narrow circumference.

 

Chairman Shuster is retiring at the end of this Congress, so the House Transportation Committee with definitely have a new chairman in January 2019. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), a strong champion for general aviation, is a leading contender for the gavel, along with Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA). If party control of the House changes, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (R-WA) is expected to be the new Chairman. 

2018 Farm Bill

While, both the House and Senate have passed their respective Farm Bills, they contain some significant differences. For ag aviators, the most importance differences are the regulatory relief provisions included in the House bill, such as:

• A fix for the duplicative National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit by eliminating its requirements for pesticides registered and already tested for water safety under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
• Much needed improvements to endangered species consultation and the pesticide registration process under FIFRA.
• Language on cooperative federalism advancing states as coregulators of pesticides along with the EPA, but prohibiting local or county governments from advancing pesticide rules, such as Lincoln County, Oregon’s efforts last year banning aerial application of herbicides to forestry.

Going into the conference, it is expected the biggest challenge will be reconciling the House’s plan to impose work requirements on food stamp recipients. The Senate was careful to avoid the food stamp issue, because a Senate Farm bill needs 60 votes, requiring bi-partisan support.  Other differences in the bills include farm subsidy caps and conservation initiatives. There were no objections by any members of the House Agriculture Committee to any of regulatory relief provisions when it was passed out of committee.

 

Yesterday, the House and Senate held its first public conference committee hearing and there were several positive comments from Senators on regulatory relief. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) commended the House for passing FIFRA reform and fixing the duplicative NPDES requirements. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), who last month sat down with ag aviators in his state, said “We have the opportunity to pass commonsense, bipartisan provisions to provide meaningful regulatory relief to folks like agricultural aviators.”

 

If the House and Senate do not pass identical bills by Sept. 30, an extension would be required. A three-month extension would give Congress time to pass a Farm Bill after the mid-term elections in November. However, if the extension goes into the next Congress and a new farm bill is not passed by January 2019, the process would have to start over, greatly decreasing the possibility of passing regulatory relief.

Kansas Ag Aviation Assoc. Garners State Commodity Groups’ Support for Regulatory Reform in Farm Bill

A coalition of Kansas based commodity groups have written to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts urging him to include regulatory reform measures in the 2018 Farm Bill. The letter was signed by the Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association, the Kansas Corn Growers Association, the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Soybean Association. This represents the four largest crops grown in Kansas. 

 

The letter was organized by Kansas Agricultural Aviation Association (KAAA) Executive Director Rhonda McCurry and Steve Hitchcock, who handles KAAA government affairs. 

 

The letter reads in part, “We will note that there was no objection to these specific [regulatory reform] provisions when the House passed its version of the Farm Bill. They are bi-partisan, common sense, and vitally needed during these uncertain times for the agriculture industry. With mounting trade tensions, farm income the lowest it has been in 12 years, and the recent spate of activist court rulings impacting the agriculture industry, regulatory relief cannot come a moment too soon.”

 

These reforms include eliminating the need for a costly National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit (PGP) for products already certified under FIFRA and only allowing states and the federal government to regulate pesticides, not local or county governments. Additional reforms would speed up the consultation process between different government agencies to streamline the extremely expensive and rigorous registration process for pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

 

Additionally, a letter was sent by KAAA to Sen. Roberts in support of these issues, as well as letters by several Kansas operators. If you are a Kansas-based operator and would like a draft letter to send to Sen. Roberts, you can email NAAA to receive a draft letter and instructions.

NTSB Responds Positively to NAAREF in Addressing Ag Aviation Safety Recommendations

Early in 2014, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released special investigation report (SIR) number SIR-14/01 detailing investigations of 78 ag accidents that occurred during 2013. All of these accidents involved some aspect of agricultural operations, pilot training, or other crop protection activities. Not all these accidents occurred during a part 137 operation but were tied to the ag industry close enough to warrant investigating their causes.

 

NAAREF submitted a third follow-up letter during June 2018 to inform the NTSB of the actions being taken on the Board’s safety recommendations. Detailed information on the NAAREF response was reported in the June 14, 2018 eNewsletter. Last week NAAREF received a letter from the NTSB regarding our handling of Safety Recommendations A-14-28 through -31. The letter from the NTSB can be read in detail by clicking here.

 

The recommendations and their comments on the recommendations are listed below:

 

A-14-28. Guidance for fatigue management is lacking for agricultural aircraft operations, and such guidance could help operators and pilots develop effective strategies to reduce the likelihood of fatigue, dehydration, hunger, and other physiological factors that can negatively affect a pilot’s concentration, decision-making, and performance.

 

NTSB responded that the topic of fatigue in ag aviation was covered with the help of a specialist in sleep medicine in addressing topics such as recognizing and coping with fatigue, medical symptoms of fatigue, dangers of fatigue, importance of sleep, common misconceptions about sleep aids, fatigue mitigation practices for agricultural operations, and circadian rhythm. A fatigue module was produced for the 2015-2016 PAASS Program; a fatigue brochure titled “Combatting Fatigue in Agricultural Aviation”; and magazine articles were published. NTSB stated that these actions satisfy the intent of Safety Recommendation A-14-28 which it now considers “Closed—Acceptable Action.”

  

A-14-29. Risk management guidelines and best practices specific to agricultural aircraft operations are necessary tools to help operators and pilots mitigate the unique risks associated with their operation. Risk management is a decision-making process by which pilots can systematically identify hazards, assess the degree of risk, and determine the best course of action.

 

NTSB responded that on the topic of risk management, NAAREF presented a module in the 2016-2017 PAASS Program on agricultural operations-specific risk assessment and mitigation strategies that addressed this recommendation. These topics were in multiple Fly Safe safety alerts and Agricultural Aviation magazine and a video was produced about the hazard of operating in low-level airspace.

 

On December 21, 2017, the FAA informed NTSB that they intended to publish a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) on this topic. NTSB responded that pending the completion and distribution of the SAFO, the Safety Recommendation A-14-29 remains classified “Open—Acceptable Response.”

 

A-14-30. A resource that contains detailed information related specifically to agricultural aircraft inspection, maintenance best practices, and quality assurance can reduce the likelihood that unsafe practices may be introduced and perpetuated.

 

NTSB responded that during the 2017-2018 PAASS Program, NAAREF presented a human factors module that included a discussion of accidents in which improper maintenance was a safety issue, and identified best practices for conducting effective aircraft inspection and maintenance quality assurance. These topics were also featured in various Fly Safe and Agricultural Aviation magazine articles.

 

On June 29, 2018 the FAA notified NTSB that they had published Information for Operators (InFO) 17016, titled “Agricultural Aircraft Inspection and Maintenance Quality Assurance Programs,” which provides guidance for ag operators on maintenance quality assurance and inspection programs. NTSB responded that the actions taken by NAAREF, along with FAA’s InFO satisfy Safety Recommendation A-14-30, which is classified “Closed—Acceptable Action.”

 

A-14-31. Standards and procedures are essential for safe operations. Without a resource that contains detailed information related specifically to agricultural aircraft operations, knowledge and skills test topics in existing FAA guidance materials, unsafe, nonstandard practices can be introduced and perpetuated.

 

NAAREF reported to NTSB that it is working with the FAA to develop guidance on Part 137 knowledge test subject areas and skills-test items. The guidance we develop will include reference material and a checklist which will be distributed to industry via the PAASS Program, Agricultural Aviation magazine, e-newsletter articles and the NAAA website.

 

FAA notified NTSB that they have updated AC 137-1B to include information on the knowledge and skills test. They also updated their Order 8900.1 guidance for FAA inspectors on administering these tests. NTSB responded that pending the development and distribution of the reference material and checklist, Safety Recommendation A-14-31 remains classified “Open—Acceptable Response.”

 

Please join with NAAA, NAAREF, FAA and NTSB to reduce accidents and make ag aviation a safer place in which to work.

FAA Report Indicates Untrained Operators and Lack of Technology Biggest Barrier to UAS Integration

Last week, the FAA issued its second edition of a five-year “roadmap” on the integration of UAVs into the national airspace system. With over 1 million UAVs registered with the FAA, the agency warns untrained operators, not having a functioning air UAV air traffic management system, and the slow development of detect-and-avoid technologies are the major challenges to the safe integration of UAVs. 

 

The FAA touts the progress it has made so far, including the registration for small UAS and the small UAS rule that allows commercial UAS operations within visual line of sight. Prior to this rule, the FAA only authorized commercial UAS operations on a case-by-case basis. The report did not give a timetable for a rule related to remote identification a tracking requirements. 

 

The report also outlines the cross governmental and industry relationships the agency relies on to ensure rules are harmonized and consistent. This includes the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) and the UAS Tracking and ID Aviation Rulemaking Committee, both of which NAAA is a member. 

 

Technical issues remain, such as the development of a detect-and-avoid system, allowing UAVs to avoid other drones as well as manned aircraft. Until such a time this technology is developed, NAAA will continue to advocate that UAVs be equipped with other life-saving safety equipment, such as ADS-B Out or similar technology that can sense and automatically land a UAV before it comes within an unsafe distance of a manned aircraft, and visible strobe lights, as well as operator and airworthiness requirements that are similar to the standards of manned aircraft. 

 

The report, which the FAA is required to issue under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, can be read in full here. 

It’s Time to Renew Your 2019 NAAA Membership

Thank you for your 2018 NAAA membership; we appreciate your continued support. You will soon receive your membership renewal information in the mail; however, there is no need to wait!  You can renew your membership online by logging into your account in the upper right-hand corner. Once you’ve logged in, click Membership Renewal on the left-hand toolbar.

NAAA membership is as important as ever as NAAA needs resources to continue working to ensure EPA registers a healthy inventory of crop protection products for aerial use without restrictions. NAAA continues to advocate daily on these and other important issues for the safety and continuity of the aerial application industry. Continue to protect your interests and strengthen the ag aviation today by renewing online today. 

RECENT SUCCESSES

2017/2018 have been successful for public relations. NAAA continued its advertising campaign in Farm Journal, which directs readers to NAAA’s website and its “Find an Aerial Applicator” search function. The publication has a circulation of nearly 350,000 farmers nationwide.

 

NAAA also attended EAA AirVenture for the third consecutive year to spread the word about the importance of agricultural aviation as well as recruit the next generation of ag pilots who will provide the aerial application services farmers depend on.

Click here to read the complete 2017 NAAA Activity Summary.

POLICY PRIORITIES

NAAA is your wingman in Washington D.C. and is dedicated to lobbying and advocating on your behalf on the following issues affecting the industry:

• Protecting ag aircraft from UAVs by advocating UAVs be equipped with safety enhancing equipment such as ADSB-Out, visible strobe lights, and tracking and ID technology.
• Ensuring the safety of low-flying ag aircraft by working to preserve and implement the marking requirements for communication towers under 200 feet.
• Continually evolving education programs and services such as the Professional Aerial Applicators’ Support System (PAASS) that reduce aviation accidents and save lives. PAASS attendees can receive potential discounts through their insurance providers. PAASS and other NAAA education programs also qualify for continuing education units applicators use to renew their commercial pesticides licenses. 
• Eliminating unnecessary, duplicative and burdensome regulations such as eliminating NPDES permitting requirements for aerial pesticide applications over or near water and ensuring local governments do not ban the use of federally registered crop protection products.
• Opposing efforts to eliminate the ag aviation fuel tax exemption; opposing the levy of user fees for ag aircraft flights; and resist efforts to lengthen the time to depreciate ag aircraft purchases.
• Obtaining federal funding for USDA aerial application research, enhancing our stewardship and efficiency.

MEMBER PERKS

• Discounts: Reduced fees to attend the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo for attendees and exhibitors.
• Information: NAAA’s weekly eNewsletter, which keeps you up-to-date between the published issues of Agricultural Aviation quarterly magazine
• Exposure: Personal or business listing in the printed and online NAAA Membership Directory
• Marketing Materials: Access to promotional tools such as the Flying for Your Food brochure, UAV awareness bill stuffers,wind tower safety ads and Aerial Application presentations and curriculum guides
• Professional development: Access to leadership training opportunities and scholarships
• Networking: Be part of a community of 1,900 members
• Public Relation Tools: Access to the NAAA Media Relations Kit to assist with PR opportunities and crisis communications
• Rebates: Earn cash-back for recruiting new members or earn rebates for attending BASF/Operation S.A.F.E. clinics

You can read more about the benefits of NAAA Membership online. We are just a phone call or email away to answer your questions! Contact the NAAA office at (202) 546-5722 or renew online today!  Log into your account in the upper right hand corner. Once you’ve logged in, click Membership Renewal on the left-hand toolbar (as seen in the graphic below).

Thank you for your continued support.

AUTO RENEWAL INFORMATION

Make it easy to renew by signing up for auto renewal.  NAAA offers auto renewal for membership and NAAREF donations. When you sign up for auto renewal, NAAA will automatically charge the credit card on file every Sept. 1st (increasing 3% each year, rounded up to the next $5 increment). There are four ways to sign up for auto renewal:

1. When you receive your renewal statement in September, mark the box in the payment area for auto renewal.
2. Renew your membership online and you’ll be asked during the process if you’d like auto renewal.
3. Call the NAAA office at 202-546-5722 and request auto renewal.

Return the membership form in the next Agricultural Aviation magazine and mark the box in the payment area for auto renewal.

Thank You, NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Sponsors! Attendees, Register Today!

NAAA sincerely appreciates the companies that support NAAA and the agricultural aviation industry with a sponsorship for the 2018 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo in Reno, Dec. 3–6. We have been fortunate over the years to be able to count on many of our Allied Industry members who sponsor a convention program, activity or item that benefits attendees.

 

Sponsoring companies help ensure the success of our annual Ag Aviation Expo, and we still have many opportunities available! Seventy-five percent of attendees surveyed in the 2017 NAAA post-convention survey stated they would be “very likely” to use the products and services of a company that sponsors at the NAAA Ag Aviation Expo.

 

Thank you to our 2018 Ag Aviation Expo sponsors:

• Diamond Sponsors: BASF, Pratt & Whitney Canada
• Platinum Sponsor: Satloc, Syngenta
• Gold Sponsors: Ag-Nav, AgriSmart Information Systems / Flight Plan Online, Air Tractor, FMC, GarrCo Products, Starr Aviation Agency, Wilbur-Ellis
• Silver Sponsors: AgAir Update, Ag Container Recycling Council, AgSync, AIG, Covington Aircraft Engines, Hardy Aviation Insurance, Kimmel Aviation Insurance Agency, Lane Aviation, I Heart Aviation, North Star Aviation Inc., Old Republic Aerospace, Packer & Associates, Queen Bee Air Specialties, Roy Neal Insurance, Southeastern Aircraft Sales & Service, Turbine Conversions 
• Bronze Sponsors: Davidson Solid Rock Insurance, Electronics International, Simplex Aerospace, Star-Flex, Texas AAA, USA Borescopes, Weber Aviation Insurance

We know that sponsoring companies have the opportunity to support many organizations, so we very much appreciate their support of NAAA! We still have sponsorships available for this year’s Ag Aviation Expo. Learn more about sponsorship here or by contacting Lindsay at (202) 546-5722.

Additional details for the 2018 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

• Dates: Dec. 3-6, 2018
• Location: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and Reno-Sparks Convention Center
• Schedule of Events: Current schedule here. Subject to change.
• Hotel: Hotel Details Below
• Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for their donation of a PT6-34AG Engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. Support the aerial application industry by donating an item today. Email Lindsay with your donation details.
• Attendee Registration: Now Open 
• Exhibitor Booth Sales: Now Open
• Sponsorship Opportunities: View the sponsorship opportunities. Please email Lindsay if you would like to secure a sponsorship from last year or to discuss 2018 opportunities! We offer sponsorships for all budget sizes.

Book Your Hotel Room

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a world-class, Four Diamond resort destination. A splendid oasis created for relaxation, celebration and rejuvenation, the Atlantis has always been a favorite resort destination for travelers near and far, recognized for luxurious accommodations, a world-class revitalizing spa and salon, award-winning dining and fun casino action. This is not the same Reno from the early 2000s; the city is rapidly changing, and it has become ground zero for a new technology boom that has helped spawn amazing restaurants, microbreweries, bars, shopping and nightclubs. Having a new vibrancy all its own, Reno is a cool and unique place to visit.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

• Rate: $109/night + taxes (NAAA has negotiated to waive the resort fee. Included in your room rate is complimentary in room Wi-Fi or wired internet, self-parking, use of fitness center, use of indoor pool, extended check out time of 12 p.m. and complimentary airport shuttle service)
• Reservations: Book Online Here or call (800) 723-6500 and reference the NAAA Convention (SNAA18).  Online reservations require a deposit of one night’s room charge + taxes. Call-in reservations will not be charged a deposit but require a credit card to hold reservation.
• Block Deadline: Monday, Nov. 12
• Hotel Address: 3800 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 
  
• Shuttle: Atlantis provides a free airport shuttle that runs at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour from 5:15 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. leaving the airport. The shuttle leaves the hotel on the hour and 30 minutes after the hour from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

NAAA Award Nominations Due Sept. 7!

Each year, NAAA recognizes a handful of members for outstanding contributions to the aerial application industry. The 2018 award recipients will be honored Dec. 6 at the Excellence in Ag Aviation Banquet, the closeout to the 2018 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo. This industry is filled with exceptional people who go above and beyond the call of duty, often with little fanfare. We need your help to identify these unsung heroes. There are nine NAAA Award categories and one NAAREF Award. The nomination deadline is Sept. 7.

NAAA Award Categories

Agrinaut Award: Honors an agricultural aircraft operator or operating organization that has made an outstanding contribution in the field of ag aircraft operations. The recipient for the award must be or have been actively engaged in commercial agricultural application with an agricultural aircraft and the achievement cited should be a “state of the art” contribution for the benefit of the agricultural aircraft industry as a whole.

 

Allied Industry Individual Award: Recognizes an NAAA member or staff and/or an allied industry individual who has significantly contributed their efforts for the benefit of the allied industry and the aerial application industry. (Presented by the NAAA Allied Industry Committee.)

 

Delta Air Lines “Puffer” Award: Recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the design of agricultural aircraft and/or related equipment.

 

Evans-Christopher Operation S.A.F.E. Award: Recognizes individuals or entities that have made outstanding contributions to the Operation S.A.F.E. program. (Presented by NAAREF.)

 

John Robert Horne Memorial Award: Honors a pilot with five or fewer years of experience in the agricultural aviation industry who has an exemplary safety record and/or has contributed to safety in ag aviation.

 

Larsen-Miller Community Service Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by a member to his community.

 

Opal & Bill Binnion Memorial Award: Acknowledges those who contribute to NAAA in its efforts to educate the public about aerial application. (Presented by the NAAA Support Committee.)

 

Outstanding Service Award: Awards outstanding service to the commercial agricultural aviation industry or to its association.

 

Related Industry Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by an allied industry member and his or her company.

 

William O. Marsh Safety Award: Recognizes significant achievements in safety, safety education or an outstanding operational safety program.

 

The Awards Nomination Form is available as print-only and fillable PDFs at AgAviation.org/awards.

 

To make a nomination, send completed entries by Sept. 7 to NAAA at (202) 546-5726 (fax) or information@agaviation.org.

NAAA and NAAREF Board Meetings Oct. 5-6

We look forward to seeing you in Palm Springs, Calif., for our October NAAA and NAAREF committee and board meetings. Most meetings take place Oct. 5–6 with a couple of meetings beginning on Oct. 4. PAASS Train the Trainer will take place Oct. 3–4. All meetings are open to NAAA members.

You can view a schedule here. Please email Lindsay Barber if you will plan to attend the meetings.

Location

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel
888 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Local phone (760) 322-6000

NAAREF Fundraiser Full of Fun at NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

Help us raise money for NAAREF and PAASS at King Pins, a fundraiser for the ag aviation industry’s premier educational safety program. This fundraising bowling event will take place on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, NV.

 

Registration is now open and is required; the donation is $100 per person. Each person must register separately, and the bowling alley suggests no more than five people per lane. If you have questions while you’re registering, please email us.

 

Transportation from the Atlantis to the National Bowling Stadium will be offered and your donation includes shoe rental at the bowling alley. Food and beverages are not included; a bar and concessions will be available for purchase at the bowling alley.

 

Help us raise funds to continue the highly regarded PAASS Program, working to reduce the number of aviation accidents and drift incidents each year.

 

Additional details for the 2018 NAAA Ag Aviation Expo

• Dates: Dec. 3-6, 2018
• Location: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and Reno-Sparks Convention Center
• Schedule of Events: Current schedule here. Subject to change.
• Hotel: Hotel Details Below
• Auction Donations: Thank you to Pratt & Whitney Canada for their donation of a PT6-34AG Engine to this year’s NAAA Live Auction. While we’re still several months away from the Ag Aviation Expo, but it’s never too early to donate an item for the Live and Silent Auction. The earlier you inform us of your auction donation, the more advertising you’ll receive on the NAAA website and in NAAA publications. Support the aerial application industry by donating an item today. Email Lindsay with your donation details.
• Attendee Registration: Now Open 
• Exhibitor Booth Sales: Now Open
• Sponsorship Opportunities: View the sponsorship opportunities. Please email Lindsay if you would like to secure a sponsorship from last year or to discuss 2018 opportunities! We offer sponsorships for all budget sizes.

Book Your Hotel Room

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a world-class, Four Diamond resort destination. A splendid oasis created for relaxation, celebration and rejuvenation, the Atlantis has always been a favorite resort destination for travelers near and far. Recognized for luxurious accommodations, a world class revitalizing spa and salon, award-winning dining and fun casino action. This is not the same Reno from the early 2000s; the city is rapidly changing, and it has become ground zero for a new technology boom that has helped spawn amazing restaurants, microbreweries, bars, shopping and nightclubs. Having a new vibrancy all its own, Reno is a cool and unique place to visit.

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

• Rate: $109/night + taxes (NAAA has negotiated to waive the resort fee. Included in your room rate is complimentary in room Wi-Fi or wired internet, self-parking, use of fitness center, use of indoor pool, extended check out time of 12 p.m. and complimentary airport shuttle service)
• Reservations: Book Online Here or call (800) 723-6500 and reference the NAAA Convention (SNAA18).  Online reservations require a deposit of one night’s room charge + taxes. Call-in reservations will not be charged a deposit but require a credit card to hold reservation.
• Block Deadline: Monday, Nov. 12
• Hotel Address: 3800 S. Virginia St. Reno, NV 
  
• Shuttle: Atlantis provides a free airport shuttle that runs at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour from 5:15 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. leaving the airport. The shuttle leaves the hotel on the hour and 30 minutes after the hour from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.