Global Jet Capital, the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association, and Jet Support Services concluded their first The Business of Business Aviation Forum on May 16 at DuPage Airport in West Chicago.
More than 70 industry professionals attended the day-long event, hosted by DuPage Flight Center, that featured a static display of business aircraft including a Bombardier Challenger 350, Dassault Falcon 900EX, Embraer Legacy 500 and Phenom 300, Gulfstream G280, Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24, Cessna Citation M2, and Beechcraft King Air 200.
Sessions led by industry experts covered such topics as financial products available to business aviation and how they can be leveraged; aircraft maintenance basics and residual value forecasting; available maintenance products and services; and a look at the current business aircraft market and the variables affecting it, including domestic and international economic issues.
“It was exciting to continue the dialogue with members of the Midwestern business aviation community,” said Mike Christie, Global Jet central U.S. head of origination and forum presenter. “Understanding regional perspectives and being able to offer our own expertise in business jet financing made this an incredibly productive opportunity for everyone involved.”