World-Class Aviation Speakers and Panels of Experts Featured at 11th Airline CEO Conference

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MIAMI, FL -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 04/17/2003 -- Under the newsworthy theme of "Survival 101," AvNews Latin America & Caribbean will sponsor its 11th annual international conference of airline CEOs on May 4 and 5 at the deluxe Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. Keynote speakers will be Angela Gittens, who has been making history as director at Miami International Airport, and Ned Homfeld, chairman of up-and-coming low cost Spirit Airlines.

The conference is built around four panels, which include some of the most successful executives and savvy experts in international civil aviation:

"The Survivor Panel"

The conference starts in high gear on Monday morning as experts Richard Hollowell, Jonathan Leak and Tom Salerno will respectively tackle crucial subjects like crisis management and recovery techniques, fuel management, and bankruptcy as a means for restructuring airlines around the world. Moderated by Conference Chairman, Marshall Sinick, this panel provides unique opportunities for audience participation in search of knowledgeable answers from the panelists.

"Cargo -- Key to Survival Panel"

Moderated by veteran cargo executive, Bill Spohrer, the four panelists -- Rob Zoller, CEO KittyHawk; Freddie Jacobsen, CEO Tampa airlines; Dick Haberly, CEO Arrow Air and Roberto Bianchi, Senior VP Lan.Chile Cargo -- will describe their experience in many markets, from domestic U.S. to international from the U.S., as well as prospects for foreign carriers. A most useful panel at a time when cargo is contributing to the profitability of many airlines, both all-cargo and passenger/cargo.

"The CEO Panel"

The centerpiece of the conference, moderated this year by aviation consultant and former Editor in Chief of Aviation Daily, Mike Miller, this impressive panel includes the following CEOs from Latin America and the Caribbean: Enrique Cueto, Lan.Chile; Federico Bloch Grupo TACA; Juan Emilio Posada; Alianza Summa; Pedro Heilbron, Copa Airlines; Conrad Aleong, BWIA; Ernesto Asbun, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano; and Nelson Ramiz, Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela.

"Virtual, and other Alliances Panel"

The morning session on Tuesday will be moderated by Jim Forster of Group Systems America, Inc. who has an outstanding record in developing Internet website products that enable international airlines to expand their booking and other services in what he calls "virtual alliances." The panel includes Jaan Albrecht, CEO, STAR Alliance; Tom Anderson, Senior VP, Spirit Airlines; Rick Blake, Senior VP, Cayman Airways, Juan Arbelaez, VP-North America, Alianza Summa, and Ray Neidle, Airline Analyst, Blaylock & Partners LLP.

This year's conference has 25 International and Domestic Airlines registered with CEOs from 22 attending and participating.

For more information on the conference and sponsorship opportunities visit the conference Web site at www.ceoconference.com.