Tag: palm beach international airport

Categories
General

Meridian Exhibits at 2018 West Palm Beach Regional

The Meridian Team working the booth at the NBAA Regional Forum at Palm Beach. (l to r) Bob Platten, Maria Bochman, Chris Battaglia, and Kirk Stephen.
The Meridian team working the booth at the NBAA Regional Forum in West Palm Beach.
(l to r) Bob Platten, Maria Bochman, Chris Battaglia, and Kirk Stephen.

Meridian is proud to have exhibited at the first NBAA Regional Forum of 2018 at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on Wednesday, January 24. The company sent representatives from Charter Sales and Marketing to meet and greet visitors at its booth. The Meridian team was happy to see many familiar faces while also meeting new people in the industry, many who were exhibiting or attending for the first time.
This year’s event was hailed as the best forum NBAA ever had in Palm Beach. In fact, the event drew over 2,700 attendees and over 150 exhibitors. Both of these numbers set new records for the Palm Beach Forum. In addition, 30 aircraft and ground support vehicles were on static display creating an exciting environment for both the attendees and the exhibitors. Mike Nichols, NBAA’s Vice President of Operational Excellence and Professional Development, said of the Jan. 24 event, “The energy was phenomenal, and people were excited to be here”.
The event also focused on what the professional aviation industry can expect going forward in 2018. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen reiterated that, “We’re going to pick up 2018 where we left off last year, and that is by asking everybody in our community to be active and engaged. As we’re entering a new year, and we’re excited about the opportunities it brings”. Aside from this, Bolen discussed other initiatives the NBAA would focus on in 2018 including:

  • ATC Privatization
  • Workforce Development
  • Ethical Business Practices
  • Airport Access
  • International Advocacy

All in all, the forum ended up being a tremendous success for the Meridian team. It provided an invaluable opportunity for us to meet current customers and connect with new ones, 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 the forum. Special thanks to everyone who took the time to stop by our booth and to those who made this event possible.
Meridian is planning to exhibit at the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in Long Beach, CA from February 6-9, 2018. Be sure to stop by our booth (#1340). You won’t want to miss our big raffle where the Grand Prize Winner will receive a new Apple iPhone X! We look forward to seeing you there.
 

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

Meridian Exhibits at West Palm Beach Regional

The Meridian Team working the booth at the NBAA Regional Forum at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
The Meridian Team working the booth at the NBAA Regional Forum at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).

Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company with locations at TEB and HWD, is proud to have exhibited at the first NBAA Regional Forum of 2017 at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) on Thursday, January 26. The company sent representatives from Charter Sales, Customer Service, and Marketing to meet and greet visitors at its booth. The Meridian team was happy to see many familiar faces while also meeting new people in the industry, many who were exhibiting or attending for the first time.
According to Kirk Stephen, Marketing Director, the NBAA Regional in West Palm Beach is an important event in which to exhibit. “South Florida is a huge market for us, so it makes perfect sense for us to be here. In addition, we are continuing to create awareness of our new and recently opened FBO located at Hayward Executive Airport in Hayward, CA. Anyone flying a business jet into the San Francisco Bay area should know they now have another option, Meridian Hayward. We hope our presence at West Palm Beach reinforces our commitment to our customers, vendors, and friends in the region who have given us so much support.”
It was an event featuring strong participation, a robust lineup of products, dozens of airplanes, and local policymakers on hand to recognize the industry’s value. The forum set a record for the venue, with more than 2,400 attendees, a sold-out floor with 145 exhibitors and a static display featuring 28 aircraft and six ground vehicles.
“As evidenced by the significant turn-out of attendees and exhibitors, Palm Beach continues to be one of the most important markets for business aviation,” noted Mike Nichols, CAM, NBAA vice president, operational excellence and professional development. “The mood was positive, and a lot of business connections were made at this event.”
The timing and location for the forum were also important, given that the business aviation community learned last week of the Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) now scheduled to take effect when President Donald Trump is at his Mar-a-Lago residence, located 2.1 nautical miles from PBI. NBAA added a special pop-up education session to discuss the changes operators could expect.
The forum also served as a kick-off of for NBAA’s 70th anniversary, and association President and CEO Ed Bolen said the milestone was a time to reflect on the past and look toward the future. In the past year, the industry has lost aviation leaders such as Arnold Palmer, Bob Hoover, Gene Cernan and John Glenn, reminds reminder “that a torch is being passed, and we have an opportunity to carry on their legacy by getting involved,” Bolen said.
The forum also played host to Jerry Allen, Palm Beach International Airport; Jeff Ramsden, South Florida Business Aviation Association and Shawn Rowan, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. Additionally, Palm Beach County Mayor Paulette Burdick, who came by to lend her support to the industry. “As a county we are committed to the industry,” she said. “It’s an important part of our economy.”
And, as always, the forum provided an invaluable opportunity for companies to meet current customers and connect with new ones, as well as network with industry peers. “It’s very important for us to get face time with all of our clients,” said Ivette Pla, director, Jetex. “There are always new customers coming into the market, so this is a good way to tap into those clients.”
Meridian is planning to exhibit at the next NBAA Regional Forum, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 23 at Fort Worth Meacham Airport (FTW) in Texas.