EBACE Connect concluded yesterday with organisers reporting that the digital event had exceeded expectations, demonstrating the global business aviation community’s eagerness to embrace the future, focus on new opportunities and fire the imagination.

The event took place from May 18-20 and was presented by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

EBAA Secretary-General Athar Husain Khan said: “We launched EBACE Connect to bring the business aviation community together and share our vision for the future. This week showed how busy this industry is at forging that vision.”

EBACE planning for “post-pandemic growth”

“At this pivotal moment, we came to EBACE Connect to plan for post-pandemic growth,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “As this week made clear, business aviation is focused on much more than returning to normal – our industry is evolving, coming back stronger, more adaptive and more innovative than ever.”

More than 1,600 attendees participated in the programme, which featured keynote discussions with aviation leaders and visionaries. Pilot and philanthropist Erik Lindbergh opened the program by sharing personal insights on the next great era in aviation. On day two, a Lightning Round session with the CEOs of all the major business aircraft OEMs highlighted their perspectives. EBACE Connect panel sessions focused on business aviation’s future, covering advanced air mobility, safety regulation for new technologies, growing beyond COVID, market trends and sustainability.

A full lineup of sponsored “Thought Leadership” sessions featured business aviation entrepreneurs and leaders discussing topics such as the evolving workplace, data-management best practices and cloud-based tools for flight operations.

“Laying the groundwork for big changes”

Major OEMs and leading service providers filled the Press Day before the programme on 17 May, with six announcements of exciting new products and offerings. Nearly 100 journalists from around the world registered for the Press Day.

Husain Khan added: “This week, we all shared in the sense that, even in this most challenging year, business aviation has been laying the groundwork for big changes. At EBACE Connect, we set our sights higher in pursuit of an exciting future.”

In 2022, EBACE will return to Geneva Airport and Palexpo in Switzerland. The in-person exhibition will take place May 23-25 2022. Information about the event’s new housing company, and other details, will be available shortly.

 

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