NBAA’s annual Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (BACE), which has rotated locations throughout its history, is landing in Las Vegas for at least the next four years and possibly further into the future. Chris Strong, senior v-p for events at NBAA, told AIN that the move comes as the tradeshow industry as a whole is trending toward optimizing events in a single location.
“We have a history of having shows in consistent places,” Strong noted. Many of its conferences will be held in a given year and its regional forums return to the same locations. Even BACE, which previously had many more locations to draw upon, has in its more recent history toggled between Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas.
Noting the trends of stationing at one location, “we decided with what’s going on in Las Vegas—with the new hall, ramp space—that we would do a trial to be in Las Vegas for four years,” Strong said.
This was a decision, he stressed, that was made following conversations with exhibitors, attendees, and the board of directors. The reaction to the trial has been “largely positive,” Strong said, noting the track record NBAA already has had with the Nevada city. “Vegas is international. It’s the global destination for a global show and it’s also a place where high-net-worth individuals tend to be very comfortable gathering.”
He further said that in choosing a single location, “Las Vegas offers us the opportunity for the kind of show that we want to put on. We’re going to optimize the entire experience in terms of planning. These are things that have to be planned years and years out.”
However, Strong also stressed the importance that Orlando has played in the history of NBAA’s convention, saying NBAA (Booth 1289) has “many friends” in the central Florida city. “Aviation and Florida are synonymous. Florida is one of the great aviation homes,” he said and added the static hosts beginning with Showalter Flying Service and Atlantic Aviation have been a great home for the static display. “They have been sensational partners.”
As for this year’s convention, Strong was encouraged by how it has shaped up leading into the event. The static space sold out a few weeks ago and inside, the number of exhibitors has topped 800, which he said is on par with where the show was in 2018, the last time it was held in Orlando. Attendance was trending close to pre-pandemic numbers also leading into the show, but Strong said that could increase as people register throughout the show.
As far as next year, NBAA does not book until the current year’s show closes, but hotel reservations are already starting at a strong pace, he said, “which is kind of what we anticipated. That’s our best barometer.”
This year’s NBAA-BACE provided a big boost to the Central Florida economy, according to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). The three-day show generated an estimated $51 million in economic impact and attracted more than 21,000 visitors from around the world.
Held at the Orange County Convention Center, BACE returned to Orlando for the first time since 2018, with the 2020 edition canceled due to the pandemic. The number of exhibitors this year topped 800—on par with 2018’s total. At Orlando Executive Airport (KORL)—which hosted the show’s static aircraft display for the 12th time—nearly 70 business jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft from all the leading manufacturers were on exhibit.
“Hosting the world’s largest business aviation event speaks volumes for the service and facilities offered at [KORL],” said GOAA CEO Kevin Thibault. “This show, which generates millions in economic impact, demonstrates the importance of general aviation and showcases the significant role [KORL] plays in the region.”
At this year’s show, however, NBAA senior v-p for events Chris Strong confirmed that this will be BACE’s last appearance in the Sunshine State for at least the next several years. The annual event, which has rotated locations throughout its history, is landing in Las Vegas for at least the next four years and possibly further into the future. Strong told AIN that the move comes as the tradeshow industry as a whole is trending toward optimizing events in a single location.
“We have a history of having shows in consistent places,” Strong noted. Many of its conferences will be held in a given year and its regional forums return to the same locations. Even BACE, which previously had many more locations to draw upon, has in its more recent history toggled between Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas.
Noting the trends of stationing at one location, “we decided with what’s going on in Las Vegas—with the new hall, ramp space—that we would do a trial to be in Las Vegas for four years,” Strong said.
This was a decision, he stressed, that was made following conversations with exhibitors, attendees, and the board of directors. The reaction to the trial has been “largely positive,” Strong said, noting the track record NBAA already has had with the Nevada city. “Vegas is international. It’s the global destination for a global show and it’s also a place where high-net-worth individuals tend to be very comfortable gathering.”
He further said that in choosing a single location, “Las Vegas offers us the opportunity for the kind of show that we want to put on. We’re going to optimize the entire experience in terms of planning. These are things that have to be planned years and years out.”
However, Strong also stressed the importance that Orlando has played in the history of NBAA’s convention, saying NBAA has “many friends” in the central Florida city. “Aviation and Florida are synonymous. Florida is one of the great aviation homes,” he said and added the static hosts beginning with Showalter Flying Service and Atlantic Aviation have been a great home for the static display. “They have been sensational partners.”