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Aircraft Management Detailing Executive Terminal (FBO) General Hayward Maintenance Private Air Charter

Meridian Attends SDC2017 in Fort Worth, TX

Team Meridian is ready to greet visitors at its booth during SDC2017 in Fort Worth, TX. (l to r): Jamie Labocki, Estrella Reynoso, Bob Platten, MaKayla Hambek, Lindsay Berkel, Mike Moore, Saqiba Parveen, and Kirk Stephen.
Team Meridian is ready to greet visitors at its booth during SDC2017 in Fort Worth, TX. (l to r): Jamie Labocki, Estrella Reynoso, Bob Platten, MaKayla Hambek, Lindsay Berkel, Mike Moore, Saqiba Parveen, and Kirk Stephen.

Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company with FBO locations at Teterboro and Hayward Executive Airports, proudly participated in the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2017 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2017) held this year in Fort Worth, TX, from February 7-10.
Meridian sent a team of nine representatives from several departments within the organization, including Charter Sales and Operations, Aircraft Management, Customer Service, and Marketing. In addition, Mike Moore, VP of Aviation Sales, gave a presentation about Aircraft Management to a large crowd attending the annual Grand Prize Luncheon on the last day of the conference.
In keeping with the festive spirit of S&D, Meridian held a booth raffle on the first afternoon of the event. The grand prize was an Apple Smart Watch and the lucky winner was Richard Allsop, Sales Manager with Signature Flight Support at London Luton Airport. The drawing was captured on Facebook Live and posted on the company’s website. The entire Meridian Team congratulates Richard on his new digital timepiece!
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen was on hand to welcome attendees to the show and talk about the future of the industry. NBAA is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The event proved to be a resounding success, with more than 2,900 attendees and 541 booths on the exhibit floor – both new records for the annual event. “The record-setting attendance and sold-out exhibit floor highlight the fact that SDC continues to provide high-quality education, networking and business development opportunities for this important segment of the business aviation industry,” said NBAA’s Vice President of Operational Excellence and Professional Development Mike Nichols, CAM.
NBAA decided this year to change a long-standing format for exhibitors. In past years, booth space was limited to a standard 10′ x 10′ space, putting all participating companies on equal footing. This year, for the first time ever, exhibitors were allowed to purchase booth space ranging from 10′ x 10′ up to 10′ x 40′, creating a mini-BACE atmosphere. Reactions to the new format were mixed. This year’s conference offered dozens of educational sessions with topics such as career development, operational excellence, international operations, and many others.
Every year at S&D, there is a strong tradition of giving back to the local community. This year, event organizers partnered with “Ana’s Baskets” to benefit Safe Haven of Tarrant County, TX, a non-profit organization that exists to end domestic violence through safety, support, prevention and social change. The ‘baskets’ are actually laundry baskets filled with household cleaning supplies from sponges, to soap, to shower curtains, and are provided to Safe Haven clients to help them begin new lives free of domestic violence.
More than 100 volunteers packed 30 baskets with about $3,100 in supplies on Feb. 7, prior to the opening of SDC2017. During the conference, attendees also donated clean, ready-to-wear clothing and sample personal items to area charities. Additionally, furniture purchased specifically for the event will be donated to the local YMCA.
Dozens of scholarships also were awarded at SDC2017, with thousands of dollars in monetary and training scholarships presented to individuals. Additionally, Aymie Thornton, a longtime Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee volunteer, received the association’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Outstanding Achievement & Leadership Award. “I urge schedulers and dispatchers to stay engaged all year long,” said Gordon. “People can get involved with their local and regional groups. There’s a lot of ways to stay connected throughout the year and continue to make those connections until the next conference.”
Next year’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2018) will be held in Long Beach, CA, from February 6-9.

Kirk Stephen (right) of Meridian is shown with Richard Allsop (left) of Signature Flight Support. Mr. Allsop was the lucky winner of Meridian's booth raffle held on Wednesday, February 8. The Grand Prize was an Apple Smart Watch. Congratulations Richard!
Kirk Stephen (right) of Meridian is shown with Richard Allsop (left) of Signature Flight Support. Mr. Allsop was the lucky winner of Meridian’s booth raffle held on Wednesday, February 8. The Grand Prize was an Apple Smart Watch. Congratulations Richard!
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Aircraft Management Detailing Executive Terminal (FBO) General Maintenance Private Air Charter

Meridian Exhibits at NBAA2015

The Meridian Team at NBAA2015 in Las Vegas. (left to right: Maria Bochman, Per Karlsson, MaKayla Hambek, Bob Platten, Mike Moore, Kirk Stephen, Betsy Wines, Dennis O’Connell, Chris Battaglia, Brittany Page, and Anthony Banome.)
The Meridian Team at NBAA2015 in Las Vegas. (left to right: Maria Bochman, Per Karlsson, MaKayla Hambek, Bob Platten, Mike Moore, Kirk Stephen, Betsy Wines, Dennis O’Connell, Chris Battaglia, Brittany Page, and Anthony Banome.)

Meridian, the full-service private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport, made a strong appearance at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2015 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015) in Las Vegas, NV. The award-winning company proudly displayed its new exhibit in the North Hall with a 400 sq. ft. booth, and had 18 representatives on-hand to greet customers, friends, vendors, and new visitors. In addition to networking and reconnecting with industry peers, Meridian was pleased to announce the upcoming opening in 2016 of its new FBO and hangar at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) in Hayward, CA.
Ken Forester, Meridian CEO, had this to say, “Having a presence at the NBAA Convention is absolutely essential to our business. The annual event is a showcase for our industry, and fosters a positive environment for building relationships, conducting business, branding our company, and creating new opportunities. This was the perfect venue to announce the opening of our new facility in Hayward, which we expect to happen in August 2016.”
Event organizers report that the show was once again a resounding success for attendees and exhibitors alike. “This year’s show was enormously successful,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “In addition to the strong participation from exhibitors and attendees alike, our industry’s largest event once again showcased the size and significance of the business aviation community, as well as the passion and professionalism of its people.”
NBAA’s 2015 convention, which took place from Nov. 17 to 19, featured more than 1,100 exhibitors in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and more than 27,000 attendees. Additionally, about 100 aircraft were displayed in several locations – at a sold-out static display at Henderson Executive Airport, at an indoor display inside the convention center and at various exhibitor booths on the convention hall floor. Attendees from the show represented all 50 U.S. states, and 96 countries.
Along with the numbers demonstrating the strength of this year’s show, Bolen cited several other examples of the convention’s value:
• A crowded Opening General Session, which kicked off the show on Nov. 17, featured leaders from government, business and industry. Government leaders included Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, Rep. Dina Titus (D-1-NV) and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. Other speakers included Mark Baker, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and Dierks Bentley, acclaimed singer, songwriter and pilot.
• A well-attended, second-day Opening Session on Nov. 18 featured aviation leaders and legends, including “Miracle on the Hudson” hero-pilot, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Also, Joe Clark, the inventor of winglet technology, was presented with NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award. In addition, the National Aviation Hall of Fame announced its 2016 class of enshrinees.
• An inaugural National Safety Forum – a day-long session held on Nov. 19, the third and final day of NBAA2015 – which brought together top government and industry leaders to discuss and address the principal safety issues confronting business aircraft operators.
• The introduction of new or enhanced industry-advocacy tools, which were unveiled at the convention’s Media Kickoff Breakfast. For example, new, mobile-friendly versions of the No Plane No Gain website and NBAA’s online Contact Congress tool were introduced. Also, a new survey once again puts forward the true face of business aviation, to help correct misperceptions about the industry. In addition, a new edition of the “Business Leaders on Business Aviation” booklet was introduced – the expanded publication features testimonials from CEOs on the value of business aviation to their companies.
• A live Emergency-Response Simulation, which provided valuable knowledge on emergency preparedness responsibilities from leaders in aviation safety. The live demonstration put attendees at the scene of a simulated accident and utilized role-playing to demonstrate various flight department roles during an emergency.
• A full roster of education sessions, held throughout the week, as well as sessions on the future of aviation, and on unmanned aircraft systems, held in NBAA’s “Innovation Zone” on the exhibit floor.
• New events devoted to attracting and retaining young talent to business aviation, including an education session on creating internships in business aviation (where NBAA’s new Internship & Career Guide was introduced), as well as a session about how to identify and support the next generation of business aviation leaders, and a Careers in Business Aviation Day and a young professionals networking event.
• A successful charity benefit, co-hosted by NBAA and Corporate Angel Network (CAN), which raised $505,000 in support of CAN’s mission to provide life-saving flights to take cancer patients to treatment centers aboard business aircraft.
“NBAA’s 2015 convention was a memorable event that showcased our industry’s vitality and relevance,” Bolen said. “We were thrilled by the enthusiasm and activity that marked each of the show’s three days, and we are already are looking forward to next year’s convention in Orlando, FL, from Nov. 1 to 3, 2016.”
Team members at the Meridian booth (left to right: Kelly Pappas, Ken Forester, Greg Johnson, Tammy Vinas, and Brittany Page.)
Team members at the Meridian booth (left to right: Kelly Pappas, Ken Forester, Greg Johnson, Tammy Vinas, and Brittany Page.)

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Aircraft Management Executive Terminal (FBO) General Private Air Charter

Meridian Exhibits at NBAA Regional Forum in St. Louis

The Meridian team works the booth at the NBAA Regional Forum in St. Louis. (l to r): Mike Moore, Nora Jacob, and Anthony Banome
The Meridian team works the booth at the NBAA Regional Forum in St. Louis.
(l to r): Mike Moore, Nora Jacob, and Anthony Banome

Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport, proudly participated in the final National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Regional Forum of 2015. The show was held at St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS) in St. Louis, MO. The one-day event was held on Thursday, September 17, and drew more than 1,200 attendees. The forum, held for the first time at that venue, hosted 130 exhibitors and 25 aircraft on static display, and closed out a year that also featured the popular local events in West Palm Beach, FL, and Teterboro, NJ. Meridian sent three representatives, including Mike Moore, VP of Aviation Sales, Anthony Banome, Director of Fuel Sales, and Nora Jacob, Customer Service Representative.
When the opening session concluded, and the forum got underway, exhibitors and attendees alike appreciated the forum’s value as a focused, one-day event. Leaders with local agencies and airport businesses illustrated the importance of the St. Louis-area event in highlighting the value of business aviation, and in supporting people and companies in the industry located in the area.
Peter Sadlo, president of the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association, said it is important to make sure young people can experience first-hand the possibilities that exist in the business aviation industry, and NBAA’s Regional Forums provide a great venue for that. “If we don’t get the next generation in at some point, it doesn’t work,” he said. “We need to share our network and get them involved.”
As with all NBAA events, elements of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign were on display throughout the forum, with signage highlighting CEOs with well-known companies from across the country, each providing testimonials to the value of business aviation to their organizations. The No Plane No Gain program, jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, educates policymakers and opinion leaders about the essential role of business aviation in the nation’s economy and transportation system.
NBAA’s St. Louis Regional Forum also included several education sessions, held throughout the day. Michelle Wade, of Jackson & Wade, discussed building successful aircraft and operating structures, while Mark Francetic, from Duncan Aviation, talked about how to prepare for NextGen and future equipment mandates, such as those for aircraft Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems. The forum closed with a talk by Travis Kuhn, from Aviation Research Group-US, who’s presentation focused on helping attendees make sense of the myriad business aviation flight activity and forecast data that is increasingly available to operators.
NBAA will continue its Regional Forums in 2016, with venues to be announced in the near future. NBAA will be hosting its annual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015) in Las Vegas, NV, from November 17-19, 2015. Meridian will be exhibiting at the show in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at booth #N4925.

Categories
Aircraft Management Executive Terminal (FBO) General Maintenance Private Air Charter

Meridian Exhibits at NBAA2013

Team Meridian at NBAA2013 (l to r): Bob Platten, Kirk Stephen, Per Karlsson, Delia Roldan, Mike Moore, Anthony Banome
Team Meridian at NBAA2013 (l to r): Bob Platten, Kirk Stephen, Per Karlsson, Delia Roldan, Mike Moore, Anthony Banome

Last week, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) held its annual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2013), the can’t-miss business aviation event of the year and the sixth largest tradeshow in the U.S. The venue provides key operators and industry leaders the opportunity to meet under one roof to conduct business, make buying decisions and set the stage for business aviation activity for the year ahead. Attendees, the decision makers in the industry, spend time on the exhibit floor, meeting and interacting with exhibitors and assessing aircraft and products for future purchases for their companies.

Meridian was proud to participate in this annual event with twelve company representatives, and a 400 sq. ft. exhibit located in the North Hall at Booth #N3110. Meridian participants came from all facets of the company, including the FBO (Meridian Teterboro), Charter (Meridian Air Charter), Maintenance (Meridian Jet Center), and Management (Meridian Aircraft Management). Company representatives were able to meet with longtime friends and customers, while also introducing themselves to new prospects with the hope of doing business together in the near future. Meridian was able to generate a lot of traffic through its booth with incentives like its signature t-shirts promoting its national presence in diverse geographies, including TEB, HWD, and APA. Visitors to the booth were also challenged to ‘Guess the Airport’ and ‘Guess the Part’. Two lucky winners went home with a Meridian leather garment bag. Congratulations to Eric Sanchez, Director of Sales at Southern Jet, for guessing MHT as the correct airport, and to Geoff Plesa, Managing Director at Pacific Air Resources, for guessing a coffee warmer gasket as the correct part!

The 2013 NBAA Convention covered three days, from Tuesday, October 22 through Thursday, October 24, and was held at two locations; the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport. According to NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, the annual event was a “resounding success”. He states, “The energy and enthusiasm among exhibitors and attendees has demonstrated once again the tremendous value the industry continues to place on this event as a premier national and international business aviation venue.” The three-day conference drew 25,425 attendees from all 50 U.S. states and more than 90 countries, with 1,100 exhibitors participating, and 95 total aircraft – 83 on static display at Henderson Executive Airport and 12 in the new indoor display at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

A number of education sessions were held throughout the week, many of which focused on emerging trends. These included advanced in-cockpit display and information technologies, the continued proliferation of iPads in aircraft cockpits and the latest information for companies using business aircraft. A careers in business aviation day was held on Thursday for Las Vegas-area middle school, high school and college students. “The business aviation community’s resilience and the resourcefulness was on display this year as much as ever,” Bolen said. “We are delighted by the excitement that surrounded this year’s convention, and we are already looking forward to next year’s show in Orlando, Florida, from October 21 to 23, 2014.”

Categories
Aircraft Management Executive Terminal (FBO) General Maintenance Private Air Charter

Meridian Exhibits at NBAA Convention in Orlando

Team Meridian at the NBAA Convention in Orlando (Left to Right: Per Karlsson, Anthony Banome, Bob Platten, Jim Reyes, Kirk Stephen)

Teterboro, NJ – Last week, amid a hurricane and temporary flight restrictions in the local area, the NBAA held its 65th Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2012), which is considered by most to be the flagship event in the business aviation industry. The trade show was held in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center from Tuesday, October 30 through Thursday, November 1. The annual convention was recently ranked #5 among all US trade shows.
Meridian participated in the event with a large 20’ x 20’ exhibitor booth. With a reduced staff due to Hurricane Sandy, five Meridian associates were able to get down to Orlando and represent the various business units of the company, including Air Charter, Aircraft Management, FBO, and Aircraft Maintenance.
“Despite some significant challenges this year, we were glad to be in Orlando representing Meridian at our industry’s biggest event. The hurricane hit Teterboro Airport and surrounding area very hard, but we wanted to let people know that we are still here and open for business. Overall, this year’s show was very productive for us, but more importantly, we were very appreciative of the concern expressed by industry colleagues and friends, who came by our booth to ask how our company was doing during the storm”, according to Kirk Stephen, Marketing Manager.
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “Attendees and Exhibitors at this year’s show have told us that it was a very strong event, despite its timing alongside Hurricane Sandy’s landfall on the East Coast, and a temporary flight restriction for the Orlando area late on Sunday evening and Monday morning before the show. We’re delighted that, especially given those challenges, Convention participants reported strong traffic on the exhibit floor and at the aircraft static displays, along with a high level of enthusiasm among Attendees.”
Some highlights include:
• The show closed with 25,150 people in attendance, a number comparable to the final Attendee total of 26,077 for the 2011 Convention, and to the final Attendee total of 24,206 for the 2012 event.
• The number of Exhibitors at the Orange County Convention Center was 1,073; booth spaces totaled 4,361, an increase over last year’s booth-space total.
• A total of 105 aircraft were shown on two separate static displays, and an additional four aircraft were shown inside the convention center.
• The show drew Attendees from all 50 U.S. states and 87 countries.