NBAA's SDC 2020 Goes Out Quietly

Caught up in the growing tide of Covid-19-induced event cancellations and postponements that also included major sports events such as the NBA, MLB, NHL, and the elimination of the NCAA college basketball tournaments, NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2020) in Charlotte, North Carolina, was cut short by the organization’s leadership, who felt they had no choice but to pull the plug on the show a day early.

According to NBAA, 90 percent of the approximately 500 scheduled exhibitors attended the show, a number that corresponds to an informal count of empty booths on the show floor conducted by AIN. While giveaways by exhibitors are typical at shows like SDC, those that handed out branded bottles or dispensers of hand sanitizer this year found themselves very popular. Among those companies choosing to sit out this year’s show were mainstays such as Atlantic Aviation, Signature Flight Support, and Universal Weather & Aviation, which typically reserve large areas in prominent locations.

What was difficult to measure was the decline of attendees who either decided to skip the show or whose company travel restrictions precluded attendance. By one estimate provided to AIN, as many as 40 flight departments canceled. While the number of show-goers was definitely diminished, exhibitors who spoke with AIN said they had good interaction with the attendees. “The conversations at our booth seemed much more valuable,” said Jodie Kaluza, director of Austin Executive Airport and general manager of Henriksen Jet Center, its FBO, adding that her booth staff felt less rushed and had time to develop more quality conversations with people. “I am fairly certain that we actually met more potential customers this year than last year.”

A major part of the show is its educational component, and this year was no exception, according to SDC Committee co-share Stephen Clark, who acknowledged the diminished number of attendees in his opening session comments. “The goal of the Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee is not to chase a number; it's not to get 10 more exhibitors or 100 more attendees every year,” he told the audience. “It is to put on a world-class educational program for this industry.” The opening session also featured an information session on Covid-19 by Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of the Mayo Clinic’s preventive, occupational and aerospace medicine department and an expert in respiratory disease. He detailed the rise and spread of the virus, noting that everyone is going to be affected by it, either directly or indirectly.

SDC 2020 initially offered a slate of 33 panel discussions, ranging from flight-planning around the world to security concerns, and from money-saving fueling tips to weather considerations for flight departments. This year’s conference theme, chosen long before the health crisis, was resiliency, and that was demonstrated by the show organizers. Despite the need for substitutions for some presenters unable to attend, they ensured that quality information was given to the attendees.

The announcement to cancel the Friday programming came at the conclusion of the first set of educational sessions on Thursday. NBAA representatives entered each meeting room and made the announcement, which was also sent via email. The afternoon’s sessions continued for the most part, but after the notification, many people were seen using their smartphones to make alternate travel arrangements, while the show floor, which was slated to close that afternoon, soon emptied.