SINDAG Hosts 2020 Virtual Convention

SINDAG, the association that represents the agricultural aviation industry in Brazil, was forced to move their annual in-person convention and exposition to a virtual presentation due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Traditionally, the SINDAG convention is the second largest agricultural aviation gathering in the world, behind the National Agricultural Aviation’s Ag Aviation Expo. This year’s event was scheduled to take place in Sertãozinho, a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and in conjunction with the Mercosur. The convention has been rescheduled for 2021 at the same location and includes the Mersosur congress that it partners with in Brazil every three years.

This year’s virtual event spanned a two-month period and had approximately 16,000 pageviews with 450 participants. There were 25 lectures showcasing about 30 industry products.

“These numbers demonstrate an engagement that you would never have imagined achieving in a virtual event held over the Internet,” said Thiago Magalhães Silva, President of the National Union of Agricultural Aviation Companies (SINDAG) in the closing address of the virtual convention held July 30.

In addition to Brazilian viewership, the event drew a virtual audience from other countries; Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Portugal and the United States.

The success of the event could possibly lead to online activities during the event next year to be held on July 20-22, 2021 in Sertãozinho.

For Magalhães, it also shows the breadth of agricultural aviation. “The digital world is here to stay and is helping us in the mission of bringing information on agricultural aviation to the general public, as well as bringing knowledge to aviation and field personnel,” he stated.

From the executive director of SINDAG, Gabriel Colle, it is too early to say how SINDAG will incorporate the virtual segment into next year’s event, “But, the possibilities are open.” Among them, interaction with some authorities and researchers from other countries, speaking or participating in a round table, or opening interaction with audiences from afar.

According to SINDAG’s events coordinator, Marília Güenter, what is certain is, in practice, the event never stops. At least not for long. “In this second semester, we will have virtual events preparing for Congress 2021”.

Guenter stated further the av-ag congress has not lost momentum due to the pandemic. On the contrary: it continues with the expectation the 2021 event will see a record number of participants and visitors at the Zanini Events Center in 2021. “Even amidst so many uncertainties, we did not have any withdrawals from exhibitors.”

The enthusiasm for the virtual convention’s success and the expectations for the forthcoming av-ag 2021 congress are shared by attendees and sponsors alike. Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch offered closing remarks from his office in Olney, Texas. “It was a great job, in a time of difficulties where many people would find it impossible to have the success that was achieved.”

On the part of the CSA - Centro de Serviços Aeronáuticos, based in Goiânia, the technical director Geraldo Azevedo stressed the importance achieved by the round table event’s virtual presentations. “It was very worthwhile for CSA to participate. We relay a great amount of important information for the ag-av operators and we thank SINDAG for this opportunity.”

Among the additions to event schedules that came with the virtual event was the Flapinho Medal, Amiguinho da Aviação Agrícola, specifically targeted at the next generation of agricultural aviators.

The medal, inspired by the main character of Revista Flapinho (a cartoon character), was awarded to the best video made by children up to 10 years old. The subject was discussing an aspect of agricultural aviation showing other children, and even adults, the importance of the industry.

The winner was Sophia Maia Bordinhão. The five-yearold daughter of an agricultural pilot from Comodoro, Mato Grosso, Brazil. She and five other participants highlighted the importance of agricultural aviation for food that everyone has at home, including the cotton in their clothes and the protection of forests against fires.

Directly from Sertãozinho, the Municipal Secretary for Economic Development, Paulo Gallo spoke at the end of the event. Looking forward to next year’s av-ag congress, he pointed out the community’s engagement will be higher than in 2019 when the event was held in Sertãozinho. “We were happy to host the congress last year. We are even more excited to also host the event in 2021 during the centenary of agricultural aviation.” Gallo reiterated that the event has become part of the official calendar of events in Sertãozinho. Discussions of the 2021 event have already begun with local business entities and the Municipal Councils of Tourism.