VBACE: connections made, opportunities delivered
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) said the first-of-its-kind Virtual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (VBACE) exceeded expectations for bringing people together in a busy digital marketplace, setting the stage for major announcements, presenting inspiring speakers and providing access to the best thinkers for innovating during and beyond the Covid-19 crisis
“VBACE demonstrated that our industry is relentless in the face of formidable challenges. We are stronger together, and we are always moving forward,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Clearly, VBACE was more than just a connection opportunity: it was a new kind of industry catalyst.”
Bolen pointed to several examples as illustrative of the event’s success, including the 3-D VBACE exhibit floor. Many exhibitors deftly leveraged the VBACE platform for headline-driving announcements, which were thoroughly covered by news organizations.
Several thousand attendees were part of the event, including those active in aircraft type clubs, maintenance firms, safety-advocacy groups, regional business aviation associations, groups focused on diversity and inclusion, sustainability stakeholders and other aviation-based organizations.
Both VBACE show days included inspiring keynote speakers. The event’s first day featured multi-platinum songwriter and pilot Dierks Bentley, whose wide-ranging conversation with Bolen underscored his dedication to serving as an advocacy champion for business aviation. The show’s second day included a compelling conversation between Bolen and The New York Times best-selling author Erin Meyer, highlighting lessons people and companies in business aviation can learn from the highly innovative culture at media company Netflix.
VBACE education sessions and new thought leadership sessions were a big draw, providing access to innovators in the fields of safety, sustainability, technological innovation, ever-changing international requirements, strategies for promoting workforce diversity and more. Dedicated sessions also provided timely content for new market entrants, with their focus on chartering tips, aircraft-ownership tax benefits and the basics on jet card, fractional and membership-based utilization options, and buying a business aircraft. Learn more about the VBACE education and Thought Leadership sessions.
“NBAA is energized by the excitement and enthusiasm for the new ways VBACE provided for doing business, building relationships, bettering ourselves as professionals and working together to chart a course for the future,” Bolen concluded. “Our thanks to everyone who was a part of this groundbreaking event.”