European Private BizAv Organization Planning Expo In Prague

CEPA, the three-year old Central European Private Aviation organization, announced the appointment of Brendan Lodge as its new Chairman on Thursday. Brendan, based in the UK where he is Business Development Director of JetBrokers Europe, brings to the Association a new skillset in the field of international aircraft financing and trading. He will serve CEPA for a 12-month term.

Brendan (pictured) has many years’ experience as a specialist business aviation finance broker. Prior to joining JetBrokers in June 2010, he served as aviation director at Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander, development manager aviation at Hitachi Capital Business Finance and finance development manager at Lombard’s Aviation Unit. Two years ago he founded the UK’s Aviation Supper Club, a now established networking event which meets twice a year, regularly attracting some 150-plus attendees from the business aviation fraternity.

“Brendan is a very popular and talented aviation professional. His business takes him to the CEE region frequently and he has experienced at first hand the challenges this region faces in obtaining aircraft finance. In the CEE region winning over banks and financial institutions to lending is critical as several countries in this region are experiencing strong growth and this is an important issue for us this year,” CEPA Founder Dagmar Grossmann said.
To further bolster the young Association, CEPA is also establishing an Advisory Board which will complement and provide advice to its full time administrative team. It will be composed of four aviation professionals – one from a law firm; one from insurance; a representative from an aircraft brokerage and a lobbyist -  to help further CEPA members interests in the CEE region. Another important objective for the Association this year is to work toward a closer liaison with the 35 year-old Brussels based European Business Aviation Association (EBAA).

CEPA has also determined that its third annual Expo, conference and exhibition event –will be held in Prague during November 21 to 22, 2012. CEPA Expo is the first dedicated business aviation exhibition to be held within the central European region and last year’s event, attracted over 100 delegates and speakers from East and West Europe.

CEPA is a voluntary, non-governmental and non-profit members association which co-ordinates the interests of executive aviation manufacturers, operators, airports, service providers, training establishments, fixed wing and rotary brokers to improve standards and best business practice in the region. Supporting services including financial, legal, insurance and publishing companies are also welcomed. The Association's primary goal is to represent its members' interests to support the growth of private aviation in the Czech Republic and abroad. For the future CEPA plans to develop an educational arm which will be responsible for providing information and data about the current climate in business aviation in Central Europe. (Image provided by CEPA)

FMI: www.cepa.aero