Tag: exhibitor

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General

Meridian Exhibits at Regional Forum in West Palm Beach

Team Meridian is ready to welcome visitors to their exhibit at the NBAA Regional Forum in West Palm Beach, FL.
(l to r): Jeremy Ojerholm, Patti Sullivan, Kirk Stephen, Estrella Montero, Ken Forester, and Susan Forester.

On Wednesday, January 29, Meridian sent a team of six associates to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) to represent the company at the first NBAA Regional of the year. The event proudly hosted a record-breaking 3,000 attendees, making this the most-attended regional to be hosted in West Palm Beach.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to 2020,” said Dina Green, NBAA vice president of events. “We had nearly 30 aircraft and vehicles on display, in addition to more than 150 indoor exhibitors. We’ve been hosting this forum at Atlantic Aviation for several years, and it’s always a great event to showcase the latest trends and technologies shaping business aviation.”

In welcoming attendees to the show, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen took a moment to remember basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others who died in a helicopter accident on Jan. 26. “Our community can pay tribute to Kobe and the others by making sure we learn from the accident,” he said. “We don’t know the cause now, but we will, and whatever it is, we will make sure it is something we can isolate, understand and learn from, because one thing our industry has always done is learn from the mistakes of the past.”

Throngs of attendees gather inside the hangar to meet with exhibitors and to network with fellow business aviation professionals.

Pointing out that the start of 2020 marks the beginning not only of a year, but a new decade, Bolen said, “This will be one of the most significant decades in the history of aviation and aerospace. Things are happening today at a pace we really haven’t seen at least since the dawn of the jet age.”

Citing technologies like drones, urban air mobility, supersonic jets and more, Bolen said innovation will allow business aviation to grow and prosper. While there have been events around the world featuring sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), most recently in Davos, Bolen noted the industry will take another step forward by holding a summit in March that will look at how stakeholders can increase the production and use of SAF.

This is a great industry, and it’s an industry in an age of innovation,” he said. “This is an exciting time for business aviation. Innovation is all around us, but among our key challenges will be our ability to bring in young, excited, talented, innovative, passionate young people. Can we attract them? Can we retain them?” Bolen noted that nearly 200 students were in attendance for the 2020 PBI event. “It’s an extraordinary industry that does capture the imagination of a lot of people,” he said.

The opening session concluded with a scholarship presentation from Dreams Soar’s Shaesta Waiz – who in 2017 became the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe in a single-engine aircraft. The inaugural Jimmie J. Norman Memorial Scholarship was presented to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student Lauren Abernathy.

The West Palm Beach Forum also featured education sessions on the most pressing topics in business aviation: ADS-B implementation, career paths in business aviation, tax benefits and limitations for aircraft operators, improving safety through aircraft data and financing options for aircraft.

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 constant activity at the Meridian booth throughout the entire event. Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing, said, “West Palm is a must-attend event for us. We do a lot of business in South Florida, so it makes sense for us to be here and meet with many of our customers, vendor-partners, and friends in person.”

The static display enjoyed great weather for showing its vast array of
business aircraft models.

The next NBAA Regional Forum will be held at San Jose International Airport (SJC) in San Jose, CA, on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Meridian will be exhibiting, and we are looking forward to seeing you there!

Categories
General

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!

Categories
General Marketing Trade Show

Meridian Exhibits at White Plains Regional Forum

The Meridian team is ready to welcome visitors to its exhibit at the White Plains Regional Forum held at Westchester County Airport (HPN).

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.”
The static display at the White Plains Regional Forum drew large crowds.

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!
Betsy Wines (center), VP of Customer Service & HR, proudly displays the Pilots’ Choice Award, flanked by Ken and Susan Forester, owners of Meridian.

Categories
General

Meridian Exhibits at White Plains Regional

The Meridian Team is ready to start the day at the NBAA Regional Forum in White Plains, NY.

On June 21, 2018, Meridian proudly exhibited at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Regional Forum in White Plains, NY, held at the Westchester County Airport (HPN). In addition to hosting a 10′ x 10′ display stand, the company sent over 15 employees to meet and greet visitors. Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing, said, “This Regional is the premier event for business aviation in the Northeast because it provides a great venue for vendors, customers, and prospects to come together under one roof and conduct business face-to-face. There are so many attendees at this show, that it really creates a unique networking opportunity for everyone here today. This is a must-attend event for us.”
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen stated “there is a pervasive sense of optimism in our industry.” According to NBAA, the event demonstrated a growing confidence of the industry, which was reflected in the forum’s numbers – 190 exhibitors, 2,700 attendees and a variety of aircraft, from single-engine piston-powered models to intercontinental business jets. “The energy and enthusiasm for business aviation was evident at this year’s White Plains Regional Forum,” said Mike Nichols, NBAA’s vice president of operational excellence and professional development. “Exhibitors conducted significant business, attendees gained valuable insights from the education session content, and the mood projected a positive outlook for the industry.”
The prior evening, Fontainebleau Aviation and Meridian co-sponsored a bus trip to Yankee Stadium for aviation colleagues who were in town attending the regional. On the bus, guests were all given judge wigs to show their support for Aaron Judge, the popular Yankee slugger, as New York took on the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees won the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning for a dramatic ending to a fun evening.
Meridian is planning to exhibit at the next (and last) NBAA Regional Forum in 2018, which will be held on Thursday, September 6 at San Jose International Airport (SJC) in San Jose, CA.
Meridian’s exhibit is ready to receive visitors!

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

Meridian Exhibits at NBAA Regional Forum in Morristown

Meridian was a proud exhibitor at the NBAA Regional Forum in Morristown, NJ. The event was held at Morristown Airport (MMU) on September 7, 2017.
Meridian was a proud exhibitor at the NBAA Regional Forum in Morristown, NJ. The event was held at Morristown Airport (MMU) on September 7, 2017.

Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company located in Teterboro, NJ (TEB) and Hayward, CA (HWD), proudly exhibited at its third and final National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Regional Forum of the year. The highly anticipated Northeast Regional was held for the first time at Morristown Airport (MMU). The event drew 160 exhibitors, featured 37 aircraft and vehicles on static display, and attracted more than 2,500 attendees. Exhibitors were happy about the outstanding turnout and agreed that the forum was an all-around success.
Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing, was very satisfied with the outcome of the event. “I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of exhibitors and attendees at the show today. I know that Hurricane Irma was severely impacting our aviation friends in Florida, but all things considered, I think the attendance had been quite robust.” Stephen credits NBAA for hosting a productive trade show. “The Regionals are very important to us because it gives our people the opportunity to connect with many of our customers in a local setting that the big shows can’t always provide. I know that our Charter, FBO, Management, and Maintenance teams were able to network with many of our longtime customers, while also meeting several new prospects. The value of these shows are immeasurable because of the face-to-face contact they provide.”
NBAA Regional Forums return in 2018 to the follow sites: West Palm Beach, FL on Jan. 24; White Plains, NY on June 21; and San Jose, CA on Sept. 6. In 2017, the next upcoming event is NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas from October 10-12. This convention is considered the most important event of the year for business aviation. Meridian will be participating at this three-day trade show with a 20′ x 20′ island exhibit and a team of representatives from every department. Be sure to visit us at our booth located in the Central Hall (C10021). We look forward to seeing you there!

Categories
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!

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

Meridian Announces Hayward Opening at NBAA2016

Meridian was well-represented at the 2016 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, FL. This year the focus was the opening of Meridian Hayward, the company's new FBO on the West Coast.
Meridian was well-represented at the 2016 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, FL. This year the focus was the opening of Meridian Hayward, the company’s new FBO on the West Coast.

Last week, Meridian was well-represented at the 2016 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, FL. Meridian, headquartered at Teterboro Airport (TEB), was proud to participate in the largest business aviation event of the year by sending a team of 13 associates to represent the company at its 400 sq. ft. exhibit to welcome customers, prospects, visitors, and friends. NBAA-BACE is held annually by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). NBAA’s 2016 convention took place from Nov. 1-3 at the Orange County Convention Center, and at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL).
This year’s convention was particularly important for the NJ-based aviation company because it recently opened a new FBO and hangar on the West Coast. The company took the opportunity of being in front of industry peers to announce that Meridian Hayward is now open for business at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) in Hayward, CA. In addition to press coverage in the convention dailies and print advertisements in major industry publications, the company also held an exciting and well-attended raffle at its booth to help generate the buzz behind Hayward. In addition, Meridian HWD t-shirts were given out to 150 lucky recipients.
The new facility features the services and amenities that discerning passengers and flight crews should expect to find when traveling through a Meridian FBO, including professionally-trained customer service and line service teams, an elegant main lobby, business center, conference room, pilot briefing area, pilot lounge, coffee bar, kitchen/catering area, sleep room, shower and locker room, rental cars, and crew cars.
EPIC Fuels, a leading fuel supplier in the general and commercial aviation industries, is the branded fuel supplier for Meridian Hayward. The company offers the highest quality jet and avgas, and the EPIC card is proudly accepted at this location.
A great location for business and charter aircraft, Meridian Hayward is located at an airport with no curfew and, like Teterboro, is a General Aviation-specific airport, with no commercial airline traffic. This initial opening features a newly constructed 6,300 square foot terminal with support offices, a 30,000 square foot hanger and 3.5 acres of ramp area.
Additional phases of construction are planned, and will include a second 12,000 square foot terminal, two 40,000 square foot hangers and an additional seven acres of ramp space. The facility will serve as a West Coast base for Meridian Air Charter and Meridian Aircraft Management. Aircraft maintenance support is also available.
While the FBO is now officially operational, Meridian Hayward will be celebrating its Grand Opening on December 15, 2016.
Ken Forester, CEO, was at the event and had this to say, “We are extremely pleased to be able to announce the opening of our new FBO, Meridian Hayward, at this year’s NBAA Convention. We are now pumping fuel and ready to serve our customers at Hayward Executive Airport. Our team is excited to share this news with our aviation partners and friends in the industry, and we hope they will help us to spread the word that we have a new location in the San Francisco Bay area. The genesis of this project began four years ago, and now it’s no longer a vision, but a reality. Hayward is the keystone of our long-term growth strategy, which also includes a new hangar project happening in Teterboro, and the continued expansion of our charter fleet.”
NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition is the country’s sixth-largest trade show, and the largest in the world focused on business aviation. Next year’s convention will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, from October 10-12, 2017.
Meridian's exhibit was among 1,100+ exhibitors at NBAA2016 in Orlando, FL. The booth is 15' tall, covers 400 sq ft of floor space, has a reception counter, two kiosks with monitors, and a large conference room.
Meridian’s exhibit was among 1,100+ exhibitors at NBAA2016 in Orlando, FL. The booth is 15′ tall, covers 400 sq ft of floor space, has a reception counter, two kiosks with monitors, and a large conference room.

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

Meridian Exhibits at EBACE2016

The Meridian Team at EBACE2016 in Geneva, Switzerland. (l to r): Bob Platten, MaKayla Hambek, John Frangipani, Chris Battaglia, Mike Moore, Anthony Banome, and Kirk Stephen.
The Meridian Team at EBACE2016 in Geneva, Switzerland. (l to r): Bob Platten, MaKayla Hambek, John Frangipani, Chris Battaglia, Mike Moore, Anthony Banome, and Kirk Stephen.

Last week, Meridian sent a team of associates to Geneva, Switzerland, to represent the company at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2016). EBACE is the largest annual business aviation event in Europe, and is jointly hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). As in previous years, this industry event was held at the Palexpo Convention Center from May 24 – 26, 2016. The convention center is conveniently located at Geneva Airport (GVA), which uniquely offers attendees the ability to visit exhibitor booths and the static display in one location.
Organizers were pleased with the turnout of exhibitors and attendees, and the show continues to demonstrate its place as Europe’s foremost business aviation event. “This year’s show was a terrific success, characterized by a full exhibit floor, with lots of business getting done,” noted EBAA CEO Fabio Gamba. “It’s an affirmation that EBACE remains Europe’s most important industry event.”
EBAA President Brian Humphries agreed. “We’re very pleased with the level of enthusiasm we’ve seen this year,” he said. “In addition to the busy show floor and sold-out aircraft static display, our seminars and education sessions were well attended, and participants were very engaged with presenters and one another.”
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen added: “EBACE exhibitors and attendees repeatedly told us this week that the show continues to be a must-attend on the industry calendar. Additionally, EBACE once again highlighted the size and significance of business aviation in Europe, and around the world.”
Below are several statistics highlighting the success of this year’s show:
1. EBACE2016 featured more than 450 exhibitors, representing over 40 countries.
2. The static display of aircraft featured 60 aircraft – some were new to the event, or made their world debut at EBACE. The footprint for the show was the largest to date.
3. EBACE2016 attendees came from more than 100 countries.
4. More than 400 journalists from all over the world were in attendance.
5. The show’s Opening General Session lineup was among the strongest ever, featuring leaders from government and industry. Keynote speakers included former Foreign Minister of France and co-founder of Doctors Without Borders, Dr. Bernard Kouchner; Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Patrick Ky, and; Channel IT Group founder and CEO Bassim Haidar, whose company provides telecommunications and electricity in 23 countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Haidar has extensively used business aviation to help his company be more flexible, efficient and successful.
6. The event included two day-long seminars – one related to aircraft transactions, the other on business aviation safety – as well as a host of education sessions covering important industry topics and trends. The show’s popular “Inspiration Zone” had sessions on timely topics, including considerations for business aviation operations in parts of the world affected by the Zika virus.
“By every measure, EBACE2016 was a great success, and we are delighted with the support we’ve received from exhibitors and attendees,” Gamba concluded. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Geneva for EBACE2017.” Next year, the show will take place from May 22 – 24, 2017.

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

Meridian Exhibits at First NBAA Regional Forum of 2016

The Meridian Team at the NBAA Regional Forum in West Palm Beach, FL. (l to r): Kirk Stephen, Chris Battaglia, MaKayla Hambek, Mike Moore, Ines Venancio, Lindsay Berkel, Bob Platten, and Anthony Banome.
The Meridian Team at the NBAA Regional Forum in West Palm Beach, FL. (l to r): Kirk Stephen, Chris Battaglia, MaKayla Hambek, Mike Moore, Ines Venancio, Lindsay Berkel, Bob Platten, and Anthony Banome.

Last week, Meridian sent a team of eight down to West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) to represent the company at the first NBAA Regional Forum of 2016. Although the weather was a bit challenging with heavy rains throughout the South Florida region, the business aviation community was undaunted, and showed up in numbers to the event on Thursday, Jan. 28, as more than 2,200 people turned out for the event. With 120 exhibitors and 25 aircraft on static display, the event set an attendance record for NBAA’s South Florida forums.
Florida state Sen. Maria Sachs who represents the Palm Beach area, welcomed attendees to her state, noting it’s first in the country for aircraft manufacturing – and officials plan to work hard to stay on top through tax and other initiatives.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen agreed, “Florida is a great place for business aviation,” adding that the industry “has a bright future in this country and around the world.” However, he said, business aviation is facing an attack from those in Congress looking to create a privatized ATC system, funded by user fees, as part of the debate underway in Washington over reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. Such proposals, Bolen noted, could severely limit business aircraft operators’ access to airports and airspace.
Many airlines, Bolen explained, want a system governed by a private entity, rather than the federal government, and that won’t work for business aviation. “This is a fundamentally flawed concept,” he said.
“It’s an effort by airlines to gain control and operate [the ATC system] for their benefit,” Bolen said, noting that the vast majority of airports in this county are not served by airlines. It’s business aviation, he said, that provides access to small communities around the country, and is responsible for more than 1.1 million jobs in the U.S.
Bolen urged attendees to contact lawmakers using NBAA’s online Contact Congress tool, and make their voices heard on the issue. “We’ve got to make our voice heard, let’s do that today,” he said. “Our concern is this can move forward so fast, it could be over before you see the details.” View NBAA’s online Contact Congress resource.
Many exhibitors praised the regional forum as an essential event for meeting new and current customers.
“It’s very helpful for us to have a presence here, said Corey Hanlon, marketing and community relations coordinator for New Jersey’s Morristown Airport. “It’s important to let people know that in the New York/New Jersey area there are several [airport] alternatives.”
Ivette Pla, director at Jetex in Miami, FL, agreed. “The regional shows are important because the regional flight departments don’t make it to the bigger shows.”
“It’s been very good, there’s a large amount of traffic from a lot of the operators I deal with,” said Brian Sprecher, Southeast regional sales manager with Constant Aviation. “At these shows I can see 30 operators in a day. I can have a lot of face time with a lot of operators in a short amount of time.”
The importance of NBAA regional forums also extends to the future of the industry, with students from nearby Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and elsewhere coming to talk with attendees and exhibitors and learn what business aviation may offer them in terms of career options.
Also, at PBI, ERAU graduate Shaeta Waiz, a pilot, debuted the Beechcraft Bonanza airplane she will be piloting in her attempt to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the world. Waiz’s journey kicks off June 2 from Daytona Beach, FL, and the planned 90-day trek is slated to include 35 stops on five continents, with events on each designed to empower young women to pursue STEM (science, technology engineering and math) education and “soar.”
“It’s an opportunity for young women to come together and share their successes,” said Waiz, who was born in a refugee camp in Afghanistan. “I want this to shed hope and give others some inspiration.”
The other NBAA regional forums for 2016 will be held June 9 in Van Nuys, CA, and Sept. 15 in White Plains, NY.

Categories
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.)