Tag: business aviation convention and exhibition

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Meridian Exhibits at NBAA-BACE2019 in Las Vegas

The Meridian team is ready on opening day to receive visitors at its exhibit for the 2019 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Nearly 25,000 industry leaders and professionals from across all 50 U.S. states and 89 countries gathered in Las Vegas for the most inspiring, interactive and innovative convention NBAA has ever hosted. About 100 business aircraft were on display inside the Las Vegas Convention Center and nearby Henderson Executive Airport, where the event took place October 22-24. On the show floor, nearly 1,000 exhibitors, including more than 100 first-time exhibitors, featured incredible displays of their latest offerings, along with an inaugural New Product Showcase.

Meridian had a strong presence as an exhibitor at the event, commonly known as the 2019 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). The company sent 12 associates to represent its many private aviation services at its 400 sq. ft. booth, including charter sales, flight operations, aircraft management, marketing, and FBO customer service from both Teterboro and Hayward locations. Three key themes prevailed at this year’s convention: innovation, sustainability, and outreach to the next generation.

Innovation in Focus

This year’s NBAA-BACE put new modes of transport, such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, front and center. Full-scale prototypes and concepts for the vehicles were thronged by attendees in the all-new UAS/UAM Innovation Display Area.

On the keynote stage, Bolen presented NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award to record-breaking pilot, military veteran and business leader Ross Perot, Jr., who is partnering with Uber on UAM infrastructure. Head of Uber Elevate, Eric Allison, shared the latest steps toward realizing that vision, and tech entrepreneur Sky Dayton, an investor in electric aircraft startup Joby Aviation, predicted UAM could become a reality in just a few years.

A brand-new composite-bodied aerobatic aircraft, the GameBird GB1, was brought to the stage by Steuart Walton, Game Composites founder and chairman. The stage also featured the iconic jet-propelled wing that “Jetman” Yves Rossy uses to fly like bird, with Rossy sharing the story of how his team developed this experimental technology.

On the show floor, an inaugural New Product Showcase introduced 11 new, distinctive products from a host of innovative companies. Inside the convention center and at Henderson Executive Airport, nearly 100 of the latest business aircraft were on display.

Also at the airport, Gulfstream unveiled its new G700, Bombardier displayed its Learjet 75 Liberty mockup for the first time and Textron Aviation’s newly certified Citation Longitude was on hand. Pilatus introduced the NGX, and other aircraft, including Tecnam’s P2012 Traveller, made their first appearances at NBAA-BACE.

Sustainability a Priority

Sustainability in business aviation was a dominant theme throughout the show, with around two dozen aircraft fueling enroute with SAF, a non-fossil power source that can reduce aviation’s carbon lifecycle emissions by up to 80 percent. Local civic and business leaders issued a proclamation recognizing the business aviation community’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, with an estimated 150,000 gallons of SAF pumped into aircraft at Henderson Executive Airport.

To further sustainability, NBAA joined with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and other industry stakeholders to announce a new Business Aviation Global Sustainability Summit in Washington, DC, in March 2020. A panel of industry leaders, in an “I Want My SAF” forum, offered perspectives about increasing SAF availability and usage before a standing-room only audience.

Over 23,000 people attended NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport from October 22-24, 2019.

Outreach to the Next-Generation Workforce

Throughout the show, trailblazing aviators were honored, and shared their work to attract the next generation of visionaries to join the business aviation workforce.

Barrington Irving, who in 2007 became the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world, received NBAA’s 2019 American Spirit Award for his work to engage young people in the pursuit of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and careers in aviation.

Also on the keynote stage, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt, America’s first female fighter pilot, shared her work promoting diversity in aviation, along with retired Air Force general and former NBAA Board Chair Lloyd “Fig” Newton.

On the show’s final day, Careers in Business Aviation Day hosted hundreds of students who attended NBAA-BACE for free, where they heard from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and Jim Payne, chief pilot on The Perlan Project, who has flown a pressurized glider as high as 76,000 feet, toward a goal of reaching the edge of space.

NBAA also unveiled its 2019 class of Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 young professionals (YoPros), who are already reshaping the industry.

“This week proved that in business aviation, we want the future, and we want it now,” Bolen said. “That future was on proud display in Las Vegas, with a show that fired the imagination, and inspired us to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – and that’s what defines aviation.”

The Meridian exhibit is ready for business on its 400 sq. ft. booth location
in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Please join us next year, October 6-8, 2020, when NBAA-BACE heads to Orlando, FL. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

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General

Meridian Exhibits at EBACE2018

Meridian was well represented at EBACE2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. (l to r): Bob Platten, Chris Battaglia, MaKayla Hambek, Michael Moore, Kirk Stephen, and Jamie Labocki.

Meridian proudly participated in the 2018 edition of The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2018). The company sent six associates to the show to represent various departments, including Charter Sales, Charter Operations, Aircraft Management, and Marketing. The team was able to optimize its presence at the venue by meeting with customers and prospects, reconnecting with industry colleagues and friends, and identifying new opportunities.
Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing, was impressed by the optimism of the event, “Every year EBACE proves to be a productive endeavor for our company. We are able to take advantage of the access to many other aviation companies that Geneva affords us because of its proximity to Europe, Asia, and Africa. This year’s show was noticeably different because each day of the event was surrounded by energy and excitement for the future. While it’s still too early to tell how 2018 will end, if EBACE is any indication of things to come, then we should finish out the year in a good place.”
Organizers said the show, once again, served as a powerful and forward-looking showcase, reinforcing its reputation as the industry’s most important event in Europe. EBACE is jointly hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). This year’s show took place from May 29 to 31 at Geneva’s Palexpo conference center and Geneva International Airport.
“This was a decidedly upbeat, optimistic EBACE week, which highlighted the passion and enthusiasm at the heart of the business aviation community,” said EBAA Chairman Juergen Wiese. “The show reflected a reverence for the industry’s history, as well as an embrace of its future.”
The busy 3-day event featured 418 exhibitors, all whom chose the event to announce new aircraft, products and services, with press conferences and media events throughout the week. This was an overall increase from last year’s event as EBACE welcomed a plethora of first-time exhibitors from over 100 different countries! Furthermore, the event had a sold-out static display that featured 54 aircraft on the Geneva Airport’s ramps. Attendees got to see a variety of aircraft ranging from intercontinental jets, to turboprop and piston aircraft, to helicopters.
In addition to the upbeat and positive atmosphere, the event also featured numerous informative sessions that honed in on the future of the business aviation industry. The talks included:
·  A new industry initiative to advance the development and adoption of Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuel
·  An inspiring keynote presentation by Yves “Jetman” Rossy, an accomplished military and commercial pilot.
·  An EVAA study, “Expanding Horizons: How Millennials see the Future of Business Aviation”.
·  The International Aircraft Transactions Seminar
·  The Implications BREXIT for Business Aviation
·  Improving Access to European Airspace and Airports for Business Aviation Operators
Apart from the informative session, EBACE conducted its second annual Careers in Business Aviation Day, which introduced more than 250 students from high schools and universities across Europe to the broad range of potential business aviation career paths.
The EBAA also took the time to award companies that have established a solid safety culture within their organizations. This year, five European companies were recognized for achieving over 100,000 hours of accident-free flying.
“EBACE once again showed that business aviation is an industry focused on innovation and investment in the future. The new aircraft models, the new business models, the featured speakers and the trends we discussed all point to an energetic industry looking toward tomorrow”, said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
EBACE will return to Geneva again next year from May 21 to 23, 2019. Meridian is planning to exhibit again, and we are already looking forward to seeing you there!

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

Meridian Makes a Big Splash in Orlando at NBAA2014

The Meridian Team at NBAA2014 in Orlando, FL.
The Meridian Team at NBAA2014 in Orlando, FL.

Orlando, FL – Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport, wrapped-up a busy and productive three days at the industry’s largest trade show, the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2014 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2014). The event concluded on Thursday, October 23, 2014, in Orlando, FL, and according to event organizers, all indications report that the show was a success for attendees and exhibitors alike.
Meridian, which debuted a brand new 400 sq. ft. booth, sent a large delegation of company representatives to work the show. The Meridian associates came from all areas of the company, including the FBO, Air Charter, Aircraft Management, and Maintenance. The team was able to accomplish a lot while at the venue, including receiving large throngs of visitors to the Meridian exhibit, hosting several private meetings in the booth conference room throughout the show, attending continuing education courses and presentations, visiting customers and vendors, engaging with prospects, and sharing ideas with industry colleagues.
Kirk Stephen, Meridian’s Marketing Manager, had this to say, “Our participation at this year’s NBAA event has been one of the best we’ve had in many years. Meridian has lots of exciting news of growth and expansion to share with the business aviation community, and we felt this was the year to come out strong. In order to emphasize the importance of our continuously growing charter fleet (now over 25 managed aircraft), and the expansion of our Fixed Base Operations to Hayward Executive Airport in Hayward, CA, we sent a full delegation of 15 company representatives and debuted a new 20′ x 20′ exhibition booth for the big show. The overall feedback was extremely positive, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.”
NBAA2014, which took place from Oct. 21 to 23, featured about 1,100 exhibitors in the Orange County Convention Center. Additionally, more than 100 aircraft were displayed in several locations – at a sold-out static display at Orlando Executive Airport, at an indoor display inside the convention center and at various exhibitor booths on the show floor. More than 26,000 people attended the show, which included representatives from 49 U.S. states and 95 countries around the world.
“This year’s show was an enormous success, filled with announcements and product introductions,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “The exhibit floor and aircraft displays had lots of activity and excitement. The education sessions were informative and well attended. The event once again showcased the industry’s size, diversity and significance. Perhaps most important, the show provided many reminders that ours is an industry characterized by passion and professionalism.”
Next year, NBAA will hold its Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, from Nov. 17 to 19, 2015.

The new Meridian 20' x 20' exhibit makes its first appearance at NBAA2014 in Orlando, FL.
The new Meridian 20′ x 20′ exhibit makes its first appearance at NBAA2014 in Orlando, FL.