Wings Magazine

News
NBAA 2009 on track to continue tradition

July 10, 2009, Washington, DC – In a first update on its 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said he is expecting a strong show despite stiff economic headwinds.


July 10, 2009  By Carey Fredericks

July 10, 2009, Washington, DC, – In a first update on its 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen said he is expecting a strong show despite stiff economic headwinds.

With three months remaining before the Opening General Session kicks off the event, the Convention is on track to live up to its reputation for being the most productive and efficient opportunity for business aviation buyers and sellers to connect.

“We are currently tracking at about 80 percent of where we were at this point last year, which is outstanding, since last year’s show set all-time records for the number of Exhibitors and booth sales,” Bolen said.

Bolen said the Association has been aggressively reaching out in a variety of ways to attract existing operators and first-time customers to the meeting. “NBAA is involved in a number of innovative programs and outreach efforts, all designed to attract potential customers from across the country and around the world,” Bolen said.

Advertisement

In addition to the marketing and networking opportunities the Convention has long been known for, a primary emphasis of this year’s show will be new Education Sessions designed to help concept buyers understand the considerations involved in purchasing a new airplane, as well as sessions to help NBAA Members quantify and communicate the value of their business aircraft.

Bolen added: “The Convention will also provide an important opportunity for the industry to put forward a positive image and promote the many benefits of business aviation – not just to operating companies, but to communities all across the country.”

Bolen noted that while a couple of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) planned to limit their participation in this year’s show, every major manufacturer would be displaying new airplanes, providing product-support personnel and conducting Maintenance & Operations Sessions.

Bolen added that NBAA is particularly sensitive to the economic conditions currently facing the industry, and that NBAA has taken a number of steps to make the show as accessible as possible for all participants.

“We fully realize the state of the economy and its effect on our industry,” Bolen said, “so we are taking a number of steps to make this year’s Convention as cost-effective for Exhibitors and Attendees as possible.” As one example, Bolen pointed to NBAA’s decision to freeze rates for exhibiting or attending this year’s Convention at the same level as last year’s show.

“Even in tough times – maybe especially in tough times – NBAA’s Convention will remain a critical event for promoting a positive image of business aviation, conveying valuable operational information and providing an outstanding forum for the hundreds of companies that depend on the show to market their products and communicate with their customers,” Bolen concluded. “It is clear that for everyone who cares about business aviation, Orlando will be the place to be from October 20 to 22.”

For more information about NBAA2009, visit http://www.nbaa.org/2009 .

Advertisement

Stories continue below