Meridian recently held a company-wide contest among our employees to submit designs for new business cards and email signatures that reflect the company’s new vision. The winning entry was chosen for its crisp and clean design which mirrors our recently redesigned website and ties into the company’s revamped mission statement.
The winning concept was submitted by Steven Bridgemohan, a Technician in our Technology department. Another highly creative design was submitted by Michelle Coe, an Accounting Supervisor, who was our runner up. Both finalists earned cash prizes for their designs. Overall, there were 10 participants who submitted a total of 25 entries.
In late 2020, Meridian strategically realigned its business units to focus exclusively on our premier FBO business in Teterboro, NJ, and Hayward, CA. While our core mission has not changed, our company Mission Statement was updated to reflect our corporate identity and reinforce our unwavering commitment to our customers. We think the updated look of the new design exemplifies what we stand for.
We appreciate the talent of everyone on our team. We’re proud to see the engagement by our staff in the development of our vision, and pleased to announce that our new business cards and email signatures were created by one of our own employees!
Category: Marketing
Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company, is pleased to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, meridian.aero. Designed with the user experience in mind, the new site showcases the aviation services Meridian offers along with the company background, news, and details on the health and safety protocols in place. The new site incorporates many enhancements and easy-to-access navigation to provide users with in-depth information. It also incorporates a responsive design that allows the site to be optimized across multiple platforms, including tablets and smartphones.
The new website offers improved functionality in an uncluttered and visually-appealing design that lets users quickly find the information they want, including fuel prices, ramp fees and the ability to make a reservation. Other features include the ability to request a detailing quote, ask for information, provide feedback on our service, and direct contact information for each department or location.
Meridian’s new site coincides with the company’s strategic realignment of its business units, which will allow it to focus exclusively on its premier FBO business. The company will also continue to offer aircraft detailing, cleaning and decontamination services. “The streamlining of our business allows us to concentrate on continuing our customer-centric approach to consistently offer the best possible service,” said Steve Chandoha, President. “The redesigned website reflects our position as an industry leader and highlights what sets us apart.”
“In addition to updating the website to showcase the fresh vision for the company, the goal of the redesign was to provide visitors with an enjoyable user experience and ensure they find the information they are looking for,” said Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing. “Our team spent a great deal of time developing and preparing the new site to be as informative, easy-to-use and productive for the user as possible. We think visitors to the site will be happy with the outcome.”
The site features dedicated pages for each of the company’s FBO locations that include complete details on their respective services, amenities and certifications. There is also a page for the Detailing department with a comprehensive overview of the wide variety of exterior and interior services available, as well as the cleaning and decontamination services they offer. Other sections of the site include an extensive photo gallery, company blog and links to social media.
“Outstanding service and a dedication to always putting the customer first has been a hallmark of Meridian for over 70 years,” added Mr. Chandoha. “The new website reflects our brand and the standards we are known for. We’re excited about the launch and think this new site will allow visitors to easily find the information they need about our world-class facilities and award-winning service.”
On Friday, July 12, Meridian hosted a cookout in appreciation of all of its employees. The barbecue was held in three shifts so that everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the food and festivities.
The barbecue featured all the traditional fare: burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, as well as potato salad, chips and other side dishes. Meridian CEO Ken Forester was present for every shift to ensure that he could personally thank everyone for their hard work. The company went as far as having two cakes so that each shift had the chance to enjoy a slice.
With almost 200 attendees, the day was a tremendous success. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone to take some time to relax and enjoy the day with their coworkers,” said Steve Chandoha, President of Meridian Teterboro. “This event gets better with every year, and we look forward to hosting it again next year.”
Pictured left to right are Nehemias Camacho, Herb Knight, and Bob Platten.
Meridian was proud to sponsor FlightSafety’s 22nd Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament held on Monday, June 24, 2019. The company sent a team of people to meet and greet golfers at the sponsored hole, as well as a foursome to play in the tournament. Meridian sponsored the ‘Closest to the Pin’ contest hole on the Meadows course, which was hosted by two representatives of the company, Francisco Cabrera from Owner Services and Matthew Barclay from Marketing.
Francisco and Matthew welcomed golfers throughout the day, offering them water bottles, power bars, sunscreen, and Meridian golf balls. The Meridian foursome included Bob Platten, Nehemias Camacho, and our guest, Herb Knight. (The fourth golfer, Chris Battaglia, was recruited to play on another team at the last minute.) This year, Meridian took first place, scoring a 60 in the scramble format. The Meridian team finished 4 strokes better than last year.
Overall, there were 154 golfers and over 220 total attendees that participated in the annual tournament. In addition to a fun day on the links, there was also a charitable component – FlightSafety raised over $1,000 for Corporate Angel Network. Corporate Angel Network is the only charitable organization in the United States whose sole mission is to help cancer patients access the best possible treatment for their specific type of cancer by arranging free travel to treatment across the country using empty seats on corporate jets.
Michele Posey, Director of Sales and organizer of the event, had this to say, “The annual FlightSafety Golf Tournament is a fun way for us to thank our valued customers each year by providing a relaxing day on the golf course followed by a dinner with awards and prizes. We also want to thank our sponsors, like Meridian, for their generosity and support. Now that the 2019 tournament is behind us, we’re already planning for next year.”
On Thursday, June 6, Meridian sent a team of 15 representatives to the NBAA White Plains Regional Forum at Westchester County Airport (HPN). The event hosted a record-breaking 3,200 attendees, making this the most-attended regional forum in any location.
“With a sold-out indoor exhibit hall of nearly 200 exhibitors and nearly 40 aircraft on static display, the White Plains NBAA Forum was a great value to our members,” said Dina Green, NBAA Vice President of events. “Business aviation professionals come to the forums to meet with customers face-to-face, network, gain valuable knowledge and see multiple aircraft models in one venue – the White Plains Forum provided all of that and much more.”
“It’s really well-attended,” said Dianne Tarantino from Collins Aerospace. “I think this year there are more customers here and it started earlier in the day than it normally does.”
NBAA CEO and President Ed Bolen opened the event by stressing the importance of airports in our infrastructure.
“Airports are fundamental to the success of business aviation. We have an infrastructure of airports that opens up the world to us—it’s very powerful,” he said. “All of this is possible because of a broader infrastructure that includes airplanes, it includes airports, it includes FBOs, it includes our ability to access airspace and these airports themselves. It includes a lot of dedicated people who are flying as pilots, but also those who are maintaining the airplane, building the airplane, insuring the airplane, financing the airplane.”
The event featured many programs for students and recent graduates, highlighting the defining aspects of a career in business aviation.
Meridian had a great showing at this year’s event, having the opportunity for face-to-face business paired with the event’s record-breaking attendance. There was never a dull moment at the Meridian booth for the entire event. Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing, said, “White Plains is always a great show for us. With its proximity to New York City, we have the unique opportunity to meet with many of our customers, vendors, and friends at a local venue.”
White Plains was the last regional forum of 2019. Meridian will be exhibiting again at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (BACE) in Las Vegas, NV this October. We hope to see you there!
Categories
Meridian Exhibits at EBACE2019
Meridian proudly exhibited at this year’s highly successful European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2019) held May 21-23 at Geneva Airport and Palexpo Conference Center. The company sent six associates to Geneva representing Sales, Operations, and Marketing. This year’s show highlighted the innovation and investment driving the future of business aviation, including three electric vertical takeoff and landing concepts displayed at the EBACE Innovation Pavilion. Implementing them in congested cities would drastically cut down on traffic and emissions.
“The excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this year’s show has been palpable throughout the week,” said European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) Secretary General Athar Husain Khan. “EBACE2019 was characterized by new products, new business models, new investment opportunities and a new generation of aviation professionals determined to make their mark.”
“Business aviation continues changing right before our eyes, and here at EBACE, we have seen and touched the industry’s future,” said National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We’re finishing EBACE inspired by a vision of sustainable flight, urban air mobility and other game-changing innovations.”
This year’s static display had a few more firsts this year: Bombardier’s Global 7500 and Embraer’s Praetor 600 aircraft made their post-certification debuts on the event’s tarmac. The convention itself spanned three halls and hosted over 400 exhibitors from over 80 different countries and students from the local area attended free of charge. A special “One Young World Summit” was available to young professionals and students to help with entry into the industry and to garner more interest in business aviation in general.
This conference experienced many “firsts” and other elements that showcased the value of the event, and business aviation, as never before:
- 1) The first-ever EBACE Innovation Pavilion showcased three different electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and concepts, from FACC AG, MAEM and Pegasus. Next to this display, the Innovation Zone hosted a panel presentation on eVTOL and the urban air mobility revolution.
- 2) Of the 58 aircraft on the sold-out outdoor display, 23 arrived powered by sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF), as part of the inaugural EBACE SAJF “fly-in”, a milestone in demonstrating the industry’s support for development and adoption of the fuel. The fly-in followed on the heels of an industry “Fuelling the Future” demonstration day, held 18 May at London TAG Farnborough Airport.
- 3) The static display was also a location for other “firsts” among aircraft manufacturers: Bombardier’s Global 7500 made its post-certification debut at EBACE, and Embraer displayed the new Praetor 600 aircraft for the first time since being certified in Europe, the U.S. and Brazil.
- 4) The show floor spanned three halls at Palexpo, featuring nearly 400 exhibitors, including 10 new to EBACE, which were prominently located in the show’s New Exhibitor Pavilion. The packed halls were continuously filled with attendees representing more than 80 countries.
- 5) The EBACE Opening Keynote Session featured Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter, who described his company’s eVTOL air taxi as “the perfect complement and addition to business aviation,” as well as UK Member of Parliament Grant Shapps, who called business aviation “essential,” and predicted of EBACE: “We will be here in another decade’s time with this exhibition bigger and more important than ever.”
- 6) EBACE2019 featured a number of new, well-attended Innovation Zone sessions, including an interactive “Shark Tank”-style presentation of future leaders’ proposals for encouraging corporate social and environmental responsibility.
- 7) The show’s Careers in Business Aviation Day, now in its fourth year, drew strong attendance by students from area schools. EBACE also provided an opportunity for EBAA to announce the opening of nominations for the second delegation of students sponsored by the association to participate in the One Young World summit, an initiative that is part of EBAA’s Expanding Horizons campaign.
It seems to be more apparent than ever that business aviation is making leaps and bound to ensure that we are as prepared for the future as possible. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said “We’re finishing EBACE inspired by a vision of sustainable flight, urban air mobility, and other game-changing innovations. EBACE2019 provided a clear look at the future of business aviation, making the show more important than ever. We’re eager to come together next year and see the next stage in all these advancements.”
“EBACE2019 provided a clear look at the future of business aviation, making the show more important than ever,” said Bolen. “We’re eager to come together next year and see the next stage in all these advancements.” Meridian will be exhibiting again next year at EBACE2020, which will be held May 26-28, 2020 in Geneva. We hope to see you there!
On Friday, April 12, Meridian sent four representatives to share their experiences and promote the diverse opportunities within the aviation field.
Line Service Manager Nehemias Camacho spoke of the role of the Line Service Technician, as well as the Customer Service Representative. He painted a picture of the day-to-day of both positions and spoke of the unique skill sets these positions build.
Emil Iannone, Director of Operations, stressed the diversity of career paths within the Dispatch, Customer Assurance and Sales positions. Emil spoke on the many different factors in ensuring that each flight goes according to plan, and how each role contributes to the flight’s success.
Celine Martinez and Matthew Barclay spoke about the aviation-specific aspects of their roles within Human Resources and Marketing, respectively, and how the industry needs business employees as well as aviation-specific ones.
For the past few years, it has been the goal of the business aviation industry to attract youth into the aviation field. Meridian has and will continue to reach out to our local community to welcome the next generation into the industry.
