Logs Higher Attendance And More Exhibit Space

The final day of the annual NBAA meeting and convention this year in Orlando Florida met with great news. Both attendance and exhibit space records were broken by significant margins.

Organizers expected a bigger crowd this year considering forecasts from many experts of a rosy outlook for biz-jet sales over the next decade, but even NBAA leadership was surprised at how much bigger.

"This year’s Annual Meeting & Convention has surpassed our expectations on all fronts,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are pleased at the continued growth in support from the business aviation community for this event and for the opportunity to enhance the public’s understanding of business aviation."

If you're looking for a biz-jet, or anything business aviation-related, the NBAA convention is the place to be. Thousands of exhibitors, informative presentations, lots of elbows to rub, hobnobbing galore -- it's all the best business aviation has to offer.

Bolen said, "This annual event allows us to showcase the diversity and vitality of business aviation, its industrial and technology innovation, contributions to the national economy, and growth and development of communities nationwide."

Total attendance this year was 33,088 besting last year by 14% and beating the previous record by nearly 1,500.

There were a few other firsts this year as well. This year, for the first time, all exhibitor space sold out a month in advance. Also for the first time, 1,140 exhibitors bought over 1 million square feet of space -- that's 9% higher than last year, the previous record.

Exhibitors brought 15 aircraft to the convention floor at the Orange County Convention Center, and the static display at Orlando Executive sold out with 117 more. Bolen estimated the convention brought $42 million to the city this year.

Bolen thanked the city of Orlando and Orange County officials adding, "NBAA also wishes to thank everyone involved with this year's event, and we look forward to our next gathering in 2007."

The NBAA 60th Annual Meeting & Convention is scheduled for September 25 through 27, 2007, in Atlanta, GA.

FMI: www.nbaa.org