As the world’s largest business aviation show, the 2023 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) has established itself as the must-attend event in the industry’s calendar. This year is no exception with game-changing innovation set to take center stage.
With just a few weeks to go before 20,000 aviation professionals and enthusiasts gather at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND), the organizers have unveiled an exciting program and revealed the Day 1 Keynote speakers: international tennis superstars, respected entrepreneurs and philanthropic champions Stefanie Graf and Andre Agassi.
Married in 2001, Graf and Agassi are regarded as two of the greatest tennis players of all time. Between them they amassed 30 Grand Slam singles wins and 167 singles titles. After their respective retirements from the sport, the couple’s various charitable, humanitarian and educational initiatives have often been supported by the use of business aircraft.
Dan Hubbard, SVP of Communications at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), says: “Many people aren’t fully aware of all they’ve done in the philanthropy field, and they have an incredible story to tell just about lessons in life, on and off the tennis court. We think it’s really going to resonate with our audience. So, we’re looking very much forward to having them with us on the stage to tell that story.”
Where the future takes flight
From October 17-19, trailblazers in technological innovation, in particular on-demand and advanced air mobility vehicles, will be exhibiting – and attending – NBAA-BACE. Hubbard is confident that the 2023 event will provide unmatched opportunities to connect, power business deals, and generate headlines, especially when it comes to sustainability. In fact, exhibitors can make a lasting impact by joining the event’s Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge, which includes actions ranging from reducing printed materials to constructing a booth from sustainable materials.
“Our convention always provides a good platform for the business aviation community to showcase its longstanding leadership in sustainability,” Hubbard says. “We are the birthplace of technologies and other innovations that have helped to gradually reduce our carbon footprint. In fact, over the last four decades, we [the aviation industry] have reduced our carbon footprint by about 40%. I think that’s not a widely known figure. Of course, we’re not content to rest on our laurels. We have a unified global commitment as an industry to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. A big part of our convention will be to showcase the ways that we’re moving in that direction, not just for 2050, but the way that we’re decarbonizing daily.”
The NBAA-BACE Business Aviation Sustainability Summit returns for 2023, where attendees will hear from experts about the genuine progress and collaborative initiatives within the aviation industry, and engage in candid discussions about the path towards a greener future in the sector.
Meanwhile, delegates in Las Vegas will see leading-edge aircraft, best-in-class industry products and services, advanced avionics, and new engine technologies. They will also be able to envision the future of flight in the Emerging Tech Pavilion, with advanced air mobility aircraft on display and, in an exciting first for the convention, there will be demonstration flights by Volocopter at HND.
In addition, NBAA-BACE provides extensive networking for those working in the business, private and owner-operated aircraft industry.
What’s new?
New for 2023 is the inaugural NBAA Career Fair. More than a dozen companies are expected to host recruiting stations and the event is open to anyone attending the show who is searching for a new job or career in business aviation.
Hubbard says: “The question is – what can the industry do to address the predicted shortfall of professionals in business aviation? And how can the industry turn that trend around and attract, retain and foster the growth of the next generation of leaders?”
He continues: “The new Career Fair means that candidates can actually meet with employers who are looking for professionals. In particular, it’s a really exciting opportunity for the upcoming generation to get connected with employers and talk through opportunities.”
Focused firmly on the future, 2023 NBAA-BACE “brings together all of the thinkers, the innovators and the trailblazers to share ideas and to be inspired”, says Hubbard.
Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the NBAA is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members.
To register to attend 2023 NBAA-BACE, follow this link.