Airport Operators Association wins two national trade association awards

Airport Operators Association wins two national trade association awards.

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) has notched up two wins at this week’s annual national Trade Association Forum Awards 2016.

At a prestigious ceremony in Westminster, AOA Chief Executive Darren Caplan won the ‘Trade Association Leadership Award’, and the AOA topped the ‘Conference of the Year’ category. The Trade Association Forum is the trade association for UK trade bodies, and its Awards recognise, reward and promote best practice amongst trade associations in the UK. The accolades won by the AOA follow on from several award wins in recent years.

Darren Caplan’s Trade Association Leadership Award was recognition of progress made by the AOA in the last five years: representing the airports sector on aviation tax and a fair framework for sustainable, sectoral growth; establishing award-winning public affairs practice; and strengthening its policy, operations & safety, events & member relations as well as central office functions.

The Conference of the Year Award recognised the work of the AOA team, particularly Events & Member Relations Manager Sally Grimes and Commercial Director Roger Koukkoullis, in bringing the marketing and organising of the AOA’s Conference, Exhibition & Awards 2015 in-house for the first time, and delivering a highly successful and professional event with top-rank speakers, a sold-out exhibition, record sponsorship sales, high delegate feedback ratings and the strong financial returns.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the AOA, said: “Following recognition in recent years of AOA public affairs success and trade association excellence, it really is a huge privilege for the AOA to be recognised by our trade association peers at this year’s Trade Association Forum Awards with these two award wins. The AOA seeks to be a leading force on behalf of its members, representing their interests and delivering strong flagship events to bring its members together in considering the key issues of the day – these awards are further recognition that Team AOA is providing high quality representation and flagship events for its members. I and the team are truly honoured to be receiving these awards, and we will strive to deliver even better representation and services for our fantastic members in the months ahead!”