Show also garners record number of exhibitors, 87 static
display aircraft
The National Business
Aviation Association (NBAA) 57th Annual Meeting & Convention,
held from October 12 to 14 in Las Vegas (NV), closed with a total
of 31,189 attendees, a 9.2 percent increase over last year's total
of 28,574. A record 1,084 exhibiting companies occupied a million
square feet of exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention
Center.
In addition, 87 aircraft were on static display at Henderson
Executive Airport and approximately 75 informational sessions were
offered throughout the week on topics ranging from safety and
security to training and the emerging very light jet market.
"The optimism we felt at the Convention reflects the positive
growth of the industry projected in forecasts by both Honeywell and
Rolls Royce," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
Presiding over his first
convention, Bolen hosted the opening general session on October 12,
where he declared that "access is the defining issue for our
industry." The session also featured keynote speakers David M.
Stone, assistant secretary of homeland security for the
Transportation Security Administration, and Fred Barnes, political
commentator.
Commerce Secretary Donald Evans made an official visit to the
convention center on October 13, which was the first time since
1989 that a cabinet member had participated in the Annual Meeting
& Convention. Evans toured the exhibit floor and met with Bolen
and other business aviation leaders regarding growth of the
industry, access to foreign markets and trade promotion.
NBAA held its first-ever Gala (previously known as the Safety
Awards Banquet) on the evening of October 13. During the Gala, NBAA
honored Stuart Matthews, president and CEO of Flight Safety
Foundation, with the 2004 Meritorious Service to Aviation Award,
and past NBAA Chairman Allan B. Lane, retired aviation manager and
chief pilot for BP Amoco, with the 2004 John P. "Jack" Doswell
Award. Mark V. Rosenker, vice chairman of the National
Transportation Safety Board, addressed the group with praise for
corporate aviation's excellent safety record.
NBAA will host its 58th Annual Meeting & Convention on
November 15 to 17, 2005, in New Orleans (LA).