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).

FMI: http://www.nbaa.org