Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Washington, DC, May 12, 2015 – This year’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2015) will include an awards luncheon held to honor four individuals whose vision laid the foundation for what is today Europe’s largest and most significant annual business aviation event.
At the luncheon, Kathleen Blouin, Fernand Francois, Brian Humphries and Jack Olcott – four leaders with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the two organizations that jointly produce EBACE – will be recognized for tireless dedication to launching EBACE, and to making the show a premier business aviation event, and a catalyst for the industry’s growth in the European region.
“EBACE got its start because Brian, Jack, Fernand and Kathleen had a keen understanding of the need for a show in Europe that would be focused strictly on business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “The industry clearly responded, with strong participation in the event – from its first year to the present. We want to celebrate these individuals’ incredible achievement, not just in launching and growing a show, but in helping advance business aviation in Europe.”
Bolen pointed out that, for the first EBACE event in 2001, organizers hoped for several hundred attendees. In fact, more than 3,600 people attended that original EBACE, with nearly 200 exhibitors on the show floor, and about 30 aircraft on static display. Today, EBACE2015 is expected to draw about 13,000 attendees, with nearly 500 exhibitors and more than 60 aircraft on static display.
The luncheon to honor the four individuals will be held on May 19, as one of a number of events being held during EBACE2015 to celebrate the show’s 15th year. Bolen noted that the four leaders who will be recognized are highly regarded industry veterans.
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As part of the awards luncheon ceremony, the four individuals will participate in a panel discussion that will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the first EBACE, and the evolution of the show over the ensuing years. The panel discussion will be moderated by industry journalism figures Wilson Leach of Aviation International News and Bill Garvey of Business & Commercial Aviation.
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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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International Business Aviation Council Ltd.