About – 2027 NBAA Leadership Conference
In business aviation, it’s hard to hit pause. You’re constantly managing schedules, putting out fires and keeping your business moving. To be a good leader, you occasionally have to step out of the daily operations and focus on the big picture.
That is what the 2027 NBAA Leadership Conference is all about. It’s a three-day opportunity to clear your head, talk to people who understand the specific pressures of your job and discover new strategies on how to lead your team in new and improved ways.
Following a record-breaking 2026 conference, the momentum for this event has never been stronger. Whether you’ve been running a flight department for decades or you just got promoted, there’s a seat at the table for you here.
START PLANNING
General Information | Hotel/Travel
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, AZ
FEB. 8, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
NBAA Professional Development Program (PDP) Course – Leading With A Vision
NBAA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson, AZ
FEB. 8, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Opening Reception
FEB. 9-10, 2026
Keynotes, Sessions and Networking Events
WHO YOU’LL CONNECT WITH
- Business Aviation Professionals
- CEOs and other C-suite Executives
- Presidents and Executive Directors
- Vice Presidents
- HR Executives
- Certified Aviation Managers (CAMs)
- Young Professionals (YoPros)
- Managers, rising leaders and more!
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
This isn’t a passive lecture series – it’s an active space designed to help you solve your toughest leadership challenges alongside world-class experts and peers.
- Honest peer discussions on the real issues keeping you up at night.
- Exclusive book signings and face-to-face time with professional speakers.
- Unique networking under the desert sky.
JUSTIFY YOUR ATTENDANCE
Need to convince your boss? We put together a template you can use to show your management exactly why this investment will pay off for your whole team.
Certified Aviation Managers (CAM) Application and Recertification Credits
- Attending the NBAA Leadership Conference earns 1 CAM credit.
- Attending the NBAA PDP Course: Leading With A Vision, held in conjunction with the Leadership Conference on Feb. 8, earns 4 CAM recertification credits or 6 credits toward an initial CAM application.
You’re in good company! In 2026, 65+ CAMs attended.
THE MOMENTUM: LOOKING BACK AT 2026
Our 2026 NBAA Leadership Conference was a record-breaking year. Here’s a look at who was in the room:
500+
Attendees
43%
First-Timers
7
Countries
46
States
Based on 2026 attendees:
81% held management or executive-level positions.
1 in 10 were C-suite executives.
50% have attended the NBAA Leadership Conference for 5 years or more.
20% were young professionals (YoPros – 40 years or younger).
IN THEIR WORDS
“Fantastic event and it stood out as one of the best networking and professional development events in business aviation.”
Eloy Freitas Clay Lacy
“Must-attend event for inspiration, new ideas, reinforcing beliefs, and unmatched opportunities to network.”
Mark Blackman PGA Tour
“Fantastic leadership speakers, well-organized agenda, good business aviation networking. Perfect way to start the year.”
Grace Toale Flexjet
“Get ready for an event that can take your career to the next level. Connect with people at and above your current position, see firsthand just how many opportunities exist in business aviation, and hear from speakers who will motivate you both as a team player and as an individual.”
Jacob Doster Pilatus
“It’s a great conference for leaders: motivating, inspirational, and helpful in providing practical tools to use on a daily basis.”
Katie Slovan Avfuel
“The NBAA Leadership Conference has an amazing group of industry leaders, sharing their experiences, and a talented group of world-class speakers. Well worth the time and money to grow in your leadership skills and views.”
Tom Dew
Check out some of the best moments from the 2026 NBAA Leadership Conference!
NEED ASSISTANCE?
Whether it’s your first time attending or your tenth, our team is happy to answer any questions. Email events@nbaa.org.
Any person who attends an NBAA convention, conference, seminar or other program grants permission to NBAA, its employees and agents (collectively "NBAA") to record his or her visual/audio images, including, but not limited to, photographs, digital images, voices, sound or video recordings, audio clips, or accompanying written descriptions, and, without notifying such person, to use his or her name and such images for any purpose of NBAA, including advertisements for NBAA and its programs.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.