Hosting NAAA/NAAREF Programs at State/Regional Conventions
PAASS is a 4-hour program, which may be scheduled:
- In one continuous block (preferred),
- Broken over multiple times in a day, or
- Broken over continuous days
Current NAAREF policy directs all programs to be:
- In-person, except for the PAASS alternative means of compliance (AMOC)
- Scheduled at least 30 days in advance, to ensure NAAREF can secure presenters
- Scheduled through a state and/or regional association or group of state and/or regional associations
- Any deviations from this policy will need to be approved by the NAAREF Board.
Use the form at the top of the page to schedule your program
$1,000 program fee, plus a $140 per attendee fee.
Note that the PAASS per attendee fee increases 3% (rounded up to the nearest $5.00) every year.
For all programs, it is requested that you provide one night’s lodging for each of the two presenters for each day they are scheduled; if lodging is not provided, this will be added to the final invoice.
For all programs, a single invoice will be sent to the host association(s)
The summary for this year’s PAASS program is provided with the registration link, however it is also provided as a standalone document here for the host to use as they see fit for advertisement and/or applying for continuing education (CE) credits for PAASS, if applicable. NAAREF also provides here a guidance document for unfamiliar State Lead Agencies on the suitability of PAASS for pesticide applicator CE credits.
Approximately 1 Month Prior, the host will receive an email introducing them to their assigned presenters in order to make logistics/lodging arrangements.
For the program itself, there will be two presenters. They will provide their own computers and projectors.
The hosting association/convention is expected to provide:
- Screen for projector (if using facility-provided projector, also an HDMI connection)
- Audio connection for computer sound output to facility sound system for videos (via 3.5mm, HDMI, bluetooth, etc.)
- Two lapel microphones connected to facility sound system (as required by room size)
- Wi-Fi for presenters/attendees to utilize mobile device polling (audience response) software.
- Instruction to attendees to arrive with a fully charged smartphone or tablet to participate
- Access to the room 1-hour prior to the program start time, with facility IT/audio staff arrival at same time to coordinate setup
The primary method of capturing attendance is a 6-digit code provided on-screen at the conclusion of the program; attendees are shown a QR code which directs them to login to their NAAA account and then enter the provided 6-digit code. The alternative method of capturing attendance is a paper sign-in sheet deployed at the discretion of the host. Attendees only need to complete one method. Note: in contrast to recent years, attendees are NOT expected to complete any type of pre-registration actions.
Approximately 1 Month Prior, the host will receive an email reconfirming dates/times of all NAAA/NAAREF programs. The email will also include two attachments:
- Printable sign-in sheet (to be deployed at the discretion of the host at the conclusion of the program)
- Printable audience participation flyer (to be deployed at the discretion of the host before the program, for example placing one per table)
The day of PAASS, at the conclusion of the program, the presenters will provide a QR code. Attendees will use their mobile device to scan the QR code, login to their NAAA account (or create one), and enter a provided 6-digit code to verify their attendance. They will have receive an emailed submission receipt. They can also just take a picture of the slide to do this later; they will have 5 days to verify attendance. The alternative sign-in sheet(s) may also be deployed by the host at the end of the program.
Approximately 1 Week Post, the host is expected to provide scans/photos of the alternative sign-in sheets to NAAREF (if used). Attendees will have five days to verify their attendance online, as well. NAAREF will then send the host the list of attendees for review.
The host may make any adjustments to the attendee list (adds, edits, removals). Once the host approves the final attendee list, attendees will receive emailed Letters of Attendance. An invoice will subsequently be generated.
NAAREF will offer an alternative method of compliance for individuals who are unable to attend an in-person PAASS program. This will be offered online through the NAAA Education Center as either a live virtual program or a self-paced course. It will be available only after the final scheduled in-person program (typically in March) and at a significant, but yet undetermined cost (2025-2026 was $900). The late availability and significant cost features of the AMOC are in place solely to encourage in-person attendance at State/Regional association conventions.
Scheduling, Logistics, Registration and Attendance: Matt Gill (NAAA Staff) – mgill@agaviation.org – (571) 895-7536
Program Content: Scott Bretthauer (NAAA Staff) – sbretthauer@agaviation.org – (217) 840-3028
NAAREF Policy, Other Concerns: Rod Thomas (NAAREF President) – rodheli@aol.com – (208) 934-5643
Athena is a 1.5- to 2-hour presentation.
Use the form at the top of the page to schedule your program
$300 program fee
This year’s Athena Program is titled: Cleared for Take-Off: Building a Successful Season. Join in on an interactive Athena program where participants engage in audience-driven discussions and real-world industry experiences to gain practical insights for a successful season. The Athena program is open to all Support personnel and offers substantive advice for creating a healthy mental and physical environment at aerial application operations. Whether you’re a spouse, office crew or family member, attend this session to gain inspiration, encouragement, and advice on better ways to serve your operation and the industry.
For the program itself, there will be two presenters.
The hosting association/convention is expected to provide:
- One room
- Projector and screen
- At least one microphone (as required by room size)
Jane Barber-Pitlick (Athena Project Chair) – bretjane@venturecomm.net – (605) 280-8970
Compaass Rose is a 2-hour program which must be scheduled in one continuous block. It must be scheduled either the day directly before or the day directly after a PAASS program; it cannot be scheduled for the same day as PAASS.
Current NAAREF policy directs all programs to be:
- In-person, except for the PAASS alternative means of compliance (AMOC)
- Scheduled at least 30 days in advance, to ensure NAAREF can secure presenters
- Scheduled through a state and/or regional association or group of state and/or regional associations
- Any deviations from this policy will need to be approved by the NAAREF Board.
Use the form at the top of the page to schedule your program
$250 program fee — An additional $250 donation to NAAREF is recommended (totaling $500) but not required.
For all programs, it is requested that you provide one night’s lodging for each of the two presenters for each day they are scheduled; if lodging is not provided, this will be added to the final invoice.
For all programs, a single invoice will be sent to the host association(s)
This program is designed to provide professional support and direction for ag pilots who are new to the industry and for those who want to learn more about what it takes to get into ag aviation. Two PAASS presenters begin the session with all attendees in a single room. After introductions, the attendees are split into two groups: new pilots (0-5 years ag experience) and experienced pilots. One group/presenter stays in the room, the other group/presenter goes into another room. They are separately led through a series of discussion questions with their peers before being brought back together to compare discussion points and topics of interest. On the whole, this allows open dialog with peers to be discussed anonymously with the larger group.
For the program itself, there will be two presenters. They will provide their own computers and projectors.
The hosting association/convention is expected to provide:
- Two Rooms Required:
- Room 1 (Main) with capacity for all attendees
- Two screens for projectors (if using facility-provided projectors, also two separate HDMI connections)
- Two lapel microphones connected to facility sound system (as required by room size)
- Room 2 (Breakout) with capacity for roughly half the attendees
- One screen for projector (if using facility-provided projector, also an HDMI connection)
- One lapel microphone connected to facility sound system (as required by room size)
- Room 1 (Main) with capacity for all attendees
- Note: Exceptions to the room requirements may be made only after consultation with Scott Bretthauer or Matt Gill (See Points of Contact)
- Wi-Fi for presenters/attendees to utilize mobile device polling (audience response) software.
- Instruction to attendees to arrive with a fully charged smartphone or tablet to participate
- Access to the room 30-minutes prior to the program start time, with facility IT/audio staff arrival at same time to coordinate setup
Scheduling: Matt Gill (NAAA Staff) – mgill@agaviation.org – (571) 895-7536
Logistics, Registration and Attendance: Matt Gill (NAAA Staff) – mgill@agaviation.org – (571) 895-7536
Program Content: Scott Bretthauer (NAAA Staff) – sbretthauer@agaviation.org – (217) 840-3028
NAAREF Policy, Other Concerns: Rod Thomas (NAAREF President) – rodheli@aol.com – (208) 934-5643
Relationship Drift is a 2-hour program which must be scheduled in one continuous block. It must be scheduled either the day directly before or the day directly after a PAASS program; it cannot be scheduled for the same day as PAASS.
Current NAAREF policy directs all programs to be:
- In-person, except for the PAASS alternative means of compliance (AMOC)
- Scheduled at least 30 days in advance, to ensure NAAREF can secure presenters
- Scheduled through a state and/or regional association or group of state and/or regional associations
- Any deviations from this policy will need to be approved by the NAAREF Board.
Use the form at the top of the page to schedule your program
$250 program fee — An additional $250 donation to NAAREF is recommended (totaling $500) but not required.
For all programs, it is requested that you provide one night’s lodging for each of the two presenters for each day they are scheduled; if lodging is not provided, this will be added to the final invoice.
For all programs, a single invoice will be sent to the host association(s)
Learn how personal relationships affect pilot decision-making and safety. Similar in format to Compaass Rose, but instead of better facilitating relations between inexperienced pilots and more experienced operators, Relationship Drift is designed to facilitate relations between operators/pilots and their spouses or significant others and office crew, who are all encouraged to attend this program together.
For the program itself, there will be two presenters. They will provide their own computers and projectors.
The hosting association/convention is expected to provide:
- Two Rooms Required:
- Room 1 (Main) with capacity for all attendees
- Two screens for projectors (if using facility-provided projectors, also two separate HDMI connections)
- Two lapel microphones connected to facility sound system (as required by room size)
- Room 2 (Breakout) with capacity for roughly half the attendees
- One screen for projector (if using facility-provided projector, also an HDMI connection)
- One lapel microphone connected to facility sound system (as required by room size)
- Room 1 (Main) with capacity for all attendees
- Note: Exceptions to the room requirements may be made only after consultation with Scott Bretthauer or Matt Gill (See Points of Contact)
- Wi-Fi for presenters/attendees to utilize mobile device polling (audience response) software.
- Instruction to attendees to arrive with a fully charged smartphone or tablet to participate
- Access to the room 30-minutes prior to the program start time, with facility IT/audio staff arrival at same time to coordinate setup
Scheduling: Matt Gill (NAAA Staff) – mgill@agaviation.org – (571) 895-7536
Logistics, Registration and Attendance: Matt Gill (NAAA Staff) – mgill@agaviation.org – (571) 895-7536
Program Content: Scott Bretthauer (NAAA Staff) – sbretthauer@agaviation.org – (217) 840-3028
NAAREF Policy, Other Concerns: Rod Thomas (NAAREF President) – rodheli@aol.com – (208) 934-5643