New Orleans Magic Breaks Las Vegas’ Spell over NBAA-BACE

NBAA is planning to return its hallmark event, the Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (BACE), to New Orleans in 2028 for the first time in more than 25 years. The return to New Orleans also will mark the end of what would be a five-year run of hosting the show in the entertainment mecca of Las Vegas. However, Las Vegas remains on the schedule for 2029.

The association in 2022 announced that it would stage a trial to hold BACE in a single location over several years in a move designed to ease planning for attendees and provide vendors with a base where they can store their displays without the expense of rotating locations. NBAA opted for Las Vegas, which had proven to be a powerful draw for attendees.

For years, BACE had moved between various locations, but the show eventually outgrew a number of sites, limiting options to the few cities that had adequate convention hall space, enough available hotel rooms, and a nearby airport that could host a sizeable static display. Ultimately, it ended up toggling back and forth between Orlando and Las Vegas on an every-other-year basis, and then, since 2023, only in Las Vegas.

But the return to New Orleans marks a significant milestone because it was last held there in December 2001, a rescheduled event after 9/11 had forced cancellation of original plans that year. It was then to have been held there in 2005, but show organizers were forced to reschedule and move locations after a hurricane devastated the region. The years of recovery made a return difficult.

To be held Oct. 10 to 12, 2028, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the convention will hold the static display at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (KMSY) instead of the former location of Lakefront Airport.

“We cannot wait to host NBAA-BACE in New Orleans, a city with a unique energy and vibe,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA’s exhibitors, attendees, sponsors, and other event partners have been eager to bring NBAA-BACE to New Orleans, a world-class location for the industry’s most important event.”

Along with the enthusiasm for the return, NBAA has seen the success of its other events held more recently in New Orleans. The 2014 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC) took place there, breaking the attendance record at the time with 2,600 participants. In 2025, New Orleans again was the host city for SDC, drawing more than 3,300 attendees.

The city also has since held the 2025 Super Bowl and routinely hosts several other large trade shows, NBAA pointed out, adding that it has other events planned for the city, including its Maintenance Conference in 2026 and International Operators Conference in 2027.

“New Orleans is an incredibly welcoming host city, and its resurgence as a major event destination has been tremendous,” said Jo Damato, NBAA senior vice president, events and professional engagement. “We are delighted to include it in NBAA’s event calendar going forward.”