Association, Exhibitors Agree That ABACE Is The Premier
Event in the Asian Region
The NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA)
plan to reintroduce the Asian Business Aviation Conference &
Exhibition (ABACE). The event, which will be held annually
beginning in 2012 at the Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai, China, marks
the much-anticipated return of the first and most successful trade
show in Asia dedicated solely to business aviation.
The announcement of ABACE2012 was made Monday. The event will be
held in the new Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Center
from February 28 to March 1, 2012. The event will include exhibits
in the facility's 4,000 square-meter hangar, a Static Display of
Aircraft outside on its expansive ramp, and on-site education
sessions led by industry veterans with knowledge of the region's
business and regulatory environment.
"When NBAA and AsBAA hosted the first ABACE in Shanghai in 2004,
much of the world questioned the potential for business aviation in
Asia," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "However, those early
shows yielded results by increasing awareness about our industry.
We are returning to Shanghai far ahead of where we started, but
with still much to accomplish; nevertheless, it is now clear to
everyone that there is tremendous potential for business aviation
in Asia."
"AsBAA is pleased to join NBAA in co-organizing ABACE2012 at
Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport," said AsBAA Chairman Chuck Woods. "Our
association brings local knowledge and expertise to the
partnership, with NBAA providing its renowned event-organizing
skills. Both organizations believe that ABACE not only represents
an excellent platform to introduce the benefits of business
aviation to Asia, but as IBAC members, we believe ABACE also
provides an opportunity to work with the region's regulators on
policies that support our industry."
"China Business Aviation Group [CBA] is very pleased to join
NBAA promoting business aviation in Asia," said Jason Liao, CBA
chairman and CEO, and NBAA's chief representative in Asia. "Asia is
a very exciting market. ABACE will be the premier business aviation
show in Asia."
"We are delighted that ABACE is returning to Shanghai in 2012,"
said Alan Smith, chief executive officer for Hawker Pacific. "The
selection of the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre
at Hongqaio International Airport as the venue places ABACE in the
heart of the emerging business aircraft market in China and the
Asian region. Our partner in Shanghai, the Shanghai Airport
Authority, has provided a world-class facility at Hongqaoi Airport
that will showcase business aviation in the region. We congratulate
the NBAA on this initiative, and we look forward to supporting this
important event."
Several of the original equipment manufacturers with plans to
exhibit at ABACE2012 voiced their strong support for return of
ABACE.
"Dassault is enthusiastic about ABACE," said Dassault Falcon Jet
Corp. President Jean Rosanvallon. "We expect it to be like the NBAA
Convention, the European Business Aviation Convention &
Exhibition and the Latin American Business Aviation Convention
& Exhibition - one of the world's premier business aviation
events."
Bombardier Business Aircraft Vice President for Marketing Rod
Williams added: "ABACE will be the right show, at the right time,
in the right place. We are very much looking forward to it."
Hawker Beechcraft Chairman and CEO Bill Boisture noted, "ABACE
is exactly what our industry needs - a dedicated business aviation
event that we know will effectively promote business aviation in
this important market."
Cessna Aircraft Company Chairman, President and CEO Jack J.
Pelton said: "Cessna is looking forward to participating in ABACE
beginning in 2012. We see significant growth potential in the
Asia-Pacific region, and events like ABACE are more than trade
shows; they are the foundation for growing business aviation in a
country or region."
Airbus Executive and Private Aviation Vice President Francois
Chazelle declared: "Airbus believes in the benefits of standalone
air shows dedicated to business aviation. It also recognizes the
importance of the Chinese market, in which the modern Airbus
corporate jet family already has a growing presence, and looks
forward to participating in ABACE in Shanghai."
Gulfstream Senior Vice President for Marketing and Sales Larry
Flynn added: "ABACE will be an important event for both selling
airplanes and fostering business aviation in Asia. Gulfstream is
looking forward to it."
Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets Luís
Carlos Affonso, said: "Asia is a very important market for Embraer
and we believe that ABACE will be a great opportunity for
connecting with new potential customers in the region."