NBAA said its three-day virtual Flight Operations Conference that concluded on Thursday “broke new ground in providing access to highly compelling speakers, brand-name industry exhibitors and networking opportunities.” The association produced the conference in collaboration with its Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee (SDC) and International Operators Committee (IOC), each of which have held separate in-person events prior to the pandemic. Overall, NBAA said exhibitors were pleased with business connections at the conference, while attendees were drawn by the offered content and the virtual exhibit floor.
The virtual conference included three keynote sessions: world champion adventure racer Robyn Benincasa, who shared how extreme performance can be applied to business and personal life; “Zen Pilot” Robert DeLaurentis, who flew a South-to-North Pole peace mission, as well as a 27,000-mile, around-the-world flight with 27 stops; and a flight operators town hall featuring NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, aviation journalist Bill Garvey, NBAA IOC chair Kurt Stehling, and NBAA SDC chair Emily White.
Additionally, there were more than 40 education sessions focusing on emerging technologies, aviation sustainability, Covid-era best practices, professional development, and international protocols, among others. All sessions were recorded and are available through March 25, while new education sessions on aviation safety will be added each week this month to further educate and engage attendees.