U.S. Ambassador to China Baucus to Participate in ABACE2014

Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, April 10, 2014 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced today that the Honorable Max Baucus, United States ambassador to China, will participate in events in connection with the 2014 Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2014), to be held April 15 to 17, 2014 in Shanghai, China. 

After an extensive political career that included 35 years of service as U.S. Senator from Montana, Baucus was sworn in as the American ambassador to China in February 2014. He succeeded Gary Locke, who was a keynote speaker at ABACE2013.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen noted that Baucus’s participation at this year’s event continues an ABACE tradition of hosting key U.S. officials involved in diplomatic and economic efforts in China, and throughout the Asia-Pacific.

“We are honored to host Ambassador Baucus at ABACE2014, further demonstrating the U.S. government’s support for this event, and for helping grow business aviation – an industry that, while based in the U.S., can be an important economic contributor in the Asian region,” said Bolen. “We appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate the industry’s significance to the ambassador when he tours ABACE2014 on the event’s opening day.”

Bolen added that the ambassador will also join other dignitaries attending a reception held prior to the opening day of ABACE2014.

Throughout his time in the U.S. Senate – the third-longest tenure for a lawmaker in that chamber – Ambassador Baucus played a significant role in promoting international trade.  As chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, he spearheaded the passage and enactment of Free Trade Agreements with 11 countries, including Australia, Bahrain, Singapore and South Korea.

Ambassador Baucus also worked to promote U.S. exports, and led trade missions to several countries across the world and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He played an active role in orchestrating congressional approval of permanent normal trade relations with China in 2000, and in facilitating China’s entrance into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.

As the preeminent event for business aviation throughout the Asia-Pacific, ABACE2014 is the premier marketplace for connecting buyers and sellers, and a catalyst for discussions with key government officials and others about growing the industry across the Asian region. The event will feature an expansive exhibit floor at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre, where more than 150 exhibitors will highlight the latest airplanes, helicopters, aviation equipment and services.

ABACE2014 is presented in partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) and co-hosted by NBAA, the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) and the Shanghai Exhibition Center (SEC). Additional information is available at www.abace.aero.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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