Tag: Event

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General

Meridian Hosts Pilot Appreciation Day

Meridian Hayward hosted the local Civil Air Patrol (CAP) East Bay Cadet Squadron 18’s Pilot Appreciation Day on Saturday, November 2. The event was a mixture of pilot appreciation, ground and safety training for cadets, and educational classes along with food and fun. The event had around 60 attendees

The California Civil Air Patrol serves as an auxiliary of the US Air Force. They normally conduct search and rescue, humanitarian, and counter-drug missions, and are also credited with sinking two enemy submarines during World War II.

The CAP also hosts a cadet program that provides the opportunity to participate in special activities or even solo fly an airplane for the first time. The training that the cadets receive is so comprehensive, that any cadet that reaches officer status could join the US Air Force two ranks higher than a normal recruit!

To learn more about the California Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, visit their website at https://www.cawgcap.org/ .

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General Hayward

Meridian Hayward Hosts Spring BBQ and Bay Cities 99s Annual Poker Run

Carlos Rodriguez, General Manger, shows off his cooking skills at Meridian’s first BBQ of the season.

On Saturday, June 2nd, Meridian embraced the beautiful spring weather by hosting its very first “Super Saver Saturday” with a barbeque at our Hayward facility. The purpose of this event was to show appreciation for our fellow Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD) based tenants by offering them exclusive price cuts on fuel every Saturday of the month! In addition, the tenants were able to experience a classic, fun-filled barbeque on our ramp. Attendees were also given the opportunity to tour our facility, experience the Meridian culture, and enjoy some good food.
Aside from our Super Saver Saturday, Meridian also hosted The Bay Cities 99s Annual Poker Run. The Oakland-based organization of women pilots is dedicated to the advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring its unique history. Every year the 99s host this poker run to benefit its scholarship fund which funds young individuals that share a passion for flight.
All in all, the day turned out to be a success for everyone. Attendees were able to enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, and a plethora of other dishes while soaking up the California sun. At one point the Meridian Hayward ramp had over 20 aircraft parked on it. The turnout was excellent for the Bay Cities 99s as well; they had a near-record attendance this year for the poker run.
Carlos Rodriguez, Meridian Hayward’s General Manager, who served as an on-site cook for the event, was pleased with how the day turned out. “This event was not only a success for Meridian, but also for the Bay Cities 99’s. It was a great turn-out and a fun event that provided a warm inviting atmosphere for all of our airport friends”.
The Forester Family enjoying the festivities of the Meridian Spring BBQ.

Special thanks to everyone who could make the event. We look forward to seeing you again in the near future!
For more information on the Bay Cities 99s please visit their website, baycities99s.org

Categories
General Hayward

Meridian Hayward Hosts SONO Meeting

Attendees networking at the Spring 2018 SONO Meeting.

On Thursday, May 10th, Meridian was pleased to host Southern & Northern California Schedulers and Dispatchers Group (SONO) first meeting of 2018. This special event was held at our Hayward facility, located at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD), just outside of San Francisco, CA. The purpose of this event was to create a valuable networking opportunity for business aviation professionals, and to provide an educational forum to enhance the knowledge and experience of our S&D community.
The fun evening featured a “World War II” theme that took guests back in time to the 1940’s. The event featured a variety of activities and exhibits, including The Cosmo Alleycats, a swing dance band with a vintage twist, authentic Mai Tai’s served in tiki drinking glasses, vintage aircraft and vehicles on display in the hangar, and replica war posters and bunting decorating the walls. About halfway through the evening, Jeff Bass, President & CEO of Hiller Aviation Museum located in San Carlos, CA, gave a very interesting and historical presentation about how the local aviation community was developed in California during WWII. At the end of the evening, a drawing took place that offered high-value prizes to several lucky winners.
Amber Salvatore, Charter Sales Executive, posing in front of a vintage Ford vehicle.

In total, there were about 200 guests in attendance, and so far, feedback about the event was extremely positive. Carlos Rodriguez, Meridian Hayward GM, had this to say, “We are honored that SONO had asked us to host their annual spring meeting. We knew that it would be a unique opportunity for us to showcase our new facility here in the Bay Area with a very targeted group of business aviation professionals. We hope that all of our guests and sponsors had enjoyed themselves, and we hope they continue to spread the word about our operations here. I think they will find that we have a lot to offer.”
To see photos of the event, please visit our online gallery: https://photos.meridian.aero/MeridianHWD-SONO-Sp18.
We would also like to give a special thanks to all of our sponsors. Without their support, this event would not have been possible.

Gold Sponsors

Airsure Limited
FlightSafety International
Signature Flight Support

Silver Sponsors

EPIC Fuels
Mente Group
International Trip Planning Services
Castle & Cooke Aviation
World Fuel Services
Eastern Aviation Fuels

Service Sponsors

Hiller Aviation Museum
Go Rentals

Categories
General

Meridian Exhibits at 2018 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference

The Meridian Team at S&D in Long Beach, CA. (Left to Right): MaKayla Gorski, Kirk Stephen, Chris Battaglia, Mike Moore, Bob Platten, Amber Salvatore, and Phil Boyer.
The Meridian Team at S&D in Long Beach, CA. (Left to Right): MaKayla Gorski, Kirk Stephen, Chris Battaglia, Mike Moore, Bob Platten, Amber Salvatore, and Phil Boyer.

This past week, Meridian proudly participated as an exhibitor at the 2018 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2018). This year’s conference was held in Long Beach, CA, from Tuesday, February 6 through Friday, February 9. The event demonstrated once again its continuing value as the premier educational and networking event for professionals involved in business aviation logistics.
The special 4-day show featured more than 550 exhibitors on a sold-out floor and more than 2,900 attendees (150 first-timers). Both numbers set new records for SDC. In addition, the program included dozens of innovative education sessions, various networking events and ample opportunities to give back to the local community.
“This is the place for a scheduler or dispatcher to go for professional development and education,” said NBAA Vice President of Operational Excellence and Professional Development Mike Nichols, “Especially for someone brand new to the industry, it’s one-stop shopping for what they need to know, not only with great education sessions, but also with peer-to-peer learning that happens outside of the education sessions on the trade show floor.”
SDC2018 included many new features, most notably an increased focus on educational opportunities. With more than 30 education sessions offered, SDC2018 had something for everyone. Tyler Austin, Manager of Professional Development at NBAA, made it clear that they were, “strategic in thinking through what we should offer in our 33-session program, and we listened closely to what attendees said they wanted- from the basics of scheduling to operating internationally, to starting their own business.”
Furthermore, SDC2018 also put emphasis on its charitable contributions. This year alone, three charities received support through the Pay It Forward Campaign, including Dress for Success, Pacific Gateway, and Clothes the Deal, all of which help less fortunate men and women in the Long Beach Community. In addition, dozens of monetary training scholarships were awarded at this year’s show.
In order to create brand awareness and draw traffic to our booth, the Meridian team held a raffle with a grand prize giveaway of an Apple iPhone X! Other prizes included Amazon gift cards. The raffle was a huge success as it drew a very large crowd of business aviation professionals to our location. The entire raffle was captured on Facebook Live.
The lucky winners were:

  • Dean Lynch of CTP Aviation (Grand Prize)
  • Shane Yuknis of Lyon Aviation
  • Rob Swan of Harrods Aviation

Congratulations to the Meridian raffle winners at S&D last week! The Grand Prize winner was Dean Lynch of CTP Aviation (3rd from left), with other prizes going to Shane Yuknis (left), and Rob Swan (2nd from right).
Congratulations to the Meridian raffle winners at S&D last week! The Grand Prize winner was Dean Lynch of CTP Aviation (3rd from left), with other prizes going to Shane Yuknis (left), and Rob Swan (2nd from right).

Overall, the event was a tremendous success. It provided an invaluable opportunity for us to learn and connect, as well as network with industry peers. We were pleased with the event’s exciting environment as well as the overwhelming amount of positive energy that surrounded it. Special thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by our booth and to those who made this event possible.
The next Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference, which will mark the event’s 30th anniversary, is set for January 29 – February 1, 2019 in San Antonio, TX. We look forward to seeing you there!

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

Meridian Exhibits at EBACE2017

Meridian was well represented at EBACE2017 in Geneva, Switzerland. (l to r): Kirk Stephen, Mike Moore, MaKayla Hambek, Art Disabunjong, and Chris Battaglia.
Meridian was well represented at EBACE2017 in Geneva, Switzerland. (l to r): Kirk Stephen, Mike Moore, MaKayla Hambek, Art Disabunjong, and Chris Battaglia.

Meridian proudly participated in the the 2017 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2017). The company sent five associates to the show to represent various departments, including Charter Sales, Charter Operations, Aircraft Management, FBO, 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.
Organizers said the show was one of the most successful in recent memory, 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 22 to 24 at Geneva’s Palexpo conference center and Geneva International Airport.
“Anyone who spent the last week at EBACE can see the passion and professionalism that define this industry,” said EBAA CEO Brandon Mitchener. “This show was full of energy and excitement for the future, with amazing technology on display, in-depth policy discussions and more than a few deals closed.”
Mitchener joined EBAA as CEO in April 2017, and this year attended EBACE for the first time. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this industry at such a pivotal time,” he said. “Business aviation in Europe is growing, and this show featured several new business models that offer new opportunities to grow the market further.”
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen agreed, stating: “This show was an all-around success for attendees, exhibitors and the entire industry. This week once again highlighted the enduring value of EBACE, and of business aviation around the world. Clearly, ours remains a forward-looking industry, and we are confident EBACE will continue to be an important part of its future.”
Bolen and Mitchener pointed to several indicators illustrating the strength of this year’s EBACE:
– 56 aircraft were on display at Geneva International Airport, including a number of first-time visitors to the tarmac such as the Cessna Citation Longitude, Piper M600, Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet and Nextant G90XT
– 3 more aircraft were displayed inside the Palexpo exhibit hall
– 413 exhibitors from 40 countries displayed their technologies, products and services
– Attendance was estimated to be about 13,000 attendees; on par with previous years.
– Many of the exhibitors unveiled new products and services at EBACE2017
– More than 450 journalists from Europe and around the world covered the event
The week kicked off with an inspiring Opening General Session address by solar aviation pioneer, Dr. Bertrand Piccard. As the first pilot to fly around the world entirely on solar power – aboard the groundbreaking Solar Impulse aircraft – Piccard predicted innovation would lead aviation toward a more sustainable future.
Panels and education sessions held throughout the show covered timely and important issues, such as the implications of Brexit for business aviation, expanding opportunities for young professionals, security and top advocacy priorities across Europe. The EBACE2017 programming also included two well-attended day-long seminars – with expert analysis and advice for aircraft transactions and business aviation safety. The first EBACE Careers in Business Aviation Day introduced more than 250 high school and university students, from about 120 area schools across Europe, to the broad range of opportunities in the industry.
“This was an incredible show, from start to finish,” said Mitchener. “As EBACE draws to a close, I know that our industry faces real challenges and thrilling opportunities, and I am confident that business aviation in Europe will rise to the moment, and that our future is brighter than ever before.”
Next year, EBACE will return to Palexpo and Geneva International Airport on May 29-31, 2018.

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

Meridian Gala Welcomes Forum Attendees to TEB

Teterboro, NJ, June 8, 2012 – Meridian, the full-service, private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in NJ, held a gala reception in its main hangar on the evening of Wednesday, June 6, to welcome attendees of the NBAA Regional Forum, which was held the following day. Over 300 people enjoyed an event created to provide the true “New York Experience” while visiting TEB, which is located only minutes from New York City.

Guests were treated to attractions that included the following:

• An original yellow checkered taxi cab
• Photos taken in “Times Square”
• A new Hawker 900XP and a newly refurbished Falcon 2000
• Real New York deli-style fare
• Meridian wine and Brooklyn beer
• Hot Dog Cart
• Red carpet with velvet ropes
• Facility tours
• Gift bags
• And of course, “Big” Apples

Ken Forester, CEO of Meridian, had this to say about the reception, “All of us at Meridian are glad to have had the opportunity to welcome our business colleagues and friends to our facility. We hope that everyone had a great time and that you will visit us again. We really value the trust that you place in us and the positive difference you make for the future of business aviation.”

The NBAA Regional Forum was held on Thursday, June 7 at First Aviation, and featured a static display of 35 aircraft, an indoor exhibition with 130 exhibitors, and attracted more than 2,000 attendees. The attendance made it the NBAA’s largest regional forum to date, which is appropriate since TEB is the busiest business aviation airport in the U.S.