The Power of Associations By Dawit Lemma, MD and Founder of Addis Ababa-based Krimson Aviation.

This year’s EBACE was full of energy and dynamism, and I was thrilled to play an active part in the educational and informative panels.

Just over six years ago I would have been too hesitant, I wouldn’t even have had the credibility to speak at this level, but now I have the confidence, and more importantly the knowledge to support and teach others in the industry. This has been heavily influenced by my participation in industry associations.

Associations are not always given enough credit for all they do, with the question, “what do they do for me/us?” frequently posed. I feel strongly they are the glue that binds us together. In addition to being a unifying voice and body for a great number of members, associations open up a new world of opportunities and relationships for many service providers in the sector, providing access to key resources that allow us to do things that would otherwise be challenging. They provide an independent arena for debate and support industry development. They represent us all at the government level and seek to influence regulations to improve our operational efficiencies. This is not something that is easily achieved by an individual company.

Dawit Lemma speaking at EBACE 2022.

If I have learned anything during my time engaging with different organizations it is that to get the most out of your membership, it is more important to ask, “what can I do for other members of the association?”

Viewing associations as an open marketplace where ideas and information can be exchanged, relationships can be started and access to key influencers can be gained, will allow you to maximise participation. These interactions tend to work best when you are exchanging expertise with fellow members, and have been vital in the development of Krimson.

As the founder of a start-up with an ambition to evolve across Africa, a developing continent that had yet to maximise the full benefits of business aviation, I needed to make use of all the information available to me. From a commercial standpoint, joining associations such as AfBAA, EBAA, NBAA, and the Malta Business Aviation Association, has proved invaluable. Krimson harnessed its membership to establish and expand our client base, suppliers and collective expertise. The relationships fostered by interacting and engaging with OEMS, operators, MROs, airports, and trip support companies, at a multitude of association events, formed the foundations of our company. The more I interacted, the more credibility I built. In return my new contacts came to think of me as the “go-to” provider of business aviation solutions in Africa, allowing me to foster rewarding relationships with key stakeholders internationally and locally.

Sourcing information in Africa is challenging. The network I nurtured through AfBAA proved to be an incredibly powerful search engine, providing data about new markets, and directly contributing to our growth. The tables have now turned, and I see fellow members using me as their human google for African queries. This springboard enables me to support others’ professional and commercial journeys across the continent.

It all comes full circle when you can speak on panels, discuss the current state of business aviation in your region and engage in well-informed discourse about what lies ahead. If it wasn’t for my association affiliations, I would not have gained the confidence to participate in high-level panels with industry colleagues.

Associations have been highly influential on Krimson’s progress, as well as my own individual advancement. I continuously search for ways I can give back to the associations and members. We are all responsible for elevating the industry, and associations provide the opportunities to do so. As an active board member for AfBAA I hope one day I may have the opportunity to lead an industry association, they are vital to our industry longevity.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 14th July 2022 | Issue #662

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