NBAA 54th Annual Meeting and Convention Press Registration

Contact: Cassandra Bosco

Washington, DC, May 17, 2001 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) cordially invites the media to attend the world’s largest exhibition and informational forum devoted solely to civil aviation – the NBAA 54th Annual Meeting & Convention, September 18 to 20, 2001, in New Orleans.

The Association reports record requests for 10-foot by 10-foot booth spaces for this year’s Convention, currently up 6 percent from last year at this time. In addition, a record number of Informational Sessions also are planned. Aircraft will be on Static Display at Lakefront Airport. Free shuttle bus service is available between all NBAA block hotels and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, as well as between the Convention Center and the Static Display.

Press Registration/Badges
Press badges, which are required for security purposes to gain entry into the exhibit hall and all technical meetings, will be issued at no charge to editors, reporters and camera personnel. Press credentials may be obtained in the NBAA Press Room at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center by presenting a business card or suitable identification. The media may register in advance by filling out the form in the attached Preliminary Program, by visiting the NBAA Web site at www.nbaa.org/pressroom, via e-mail to arushton@nbaa.org, or by request to NBAA Public Relations at (202) 783-9362.

Note: Press badges (even for those who register in advance) only will be available for pickup on site in the Press Room; they will not be mailed to registrants in advance. Please contact the NBAA Conventions & Seminars Department at (202) 783-9282 for registration information if someone other than media personnel from your organization wishes to attend the Convention.

Ticketed Events
Press badges do not cover admission to the NBAA Awards Banquet on the evening of September 20. Tickets are required for the Banquet and may be purchased in the Registration area of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This year’s Banquet entertainment will be The Smothers Brothers. The Banquet sells out early, so please order your tickets as soon as possible.

Press Room Sponsors, Hours and Facilities
Co-sponsored by Bombardier Business Aircraft and by Thales Avionics, the Press Room will open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 17 – one day before the official exhibit floor opening. The Press Room is equipped with telephones, computers, fax machines and other electronic hookups, as well as a quiet area where members of the media may conduct personal conferences and interviews. Light snacks and beverages are provided throughout the day.

Press Conferences
Press conferences will be held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 17. Due to high demand for press conferences, there will be four Press Conference Rooms in close proximity to the NBAA Press Room. A schedule of press conferences is issued in early September and a final listing posted in the Press Room on September 17. Press conferences are scheduled to provide maximum press coverage without conflicts; only those press conferences scheduled through NBAA will be listed. Exhibitors also may schedule invitation-only press events in hotels, at their booths, or at other locations, although we encourage use of official NBAA press facilities to avoid conflicting events.

NBAA Kickoff Media Breakfast
NBAA will host its annual Kickoff Media Breakfast on Tuesday, September 18, at 8:00 a.m. in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend. NBAA will announce the winners of the 2001 Gold Wing Awards for Reporting Excellence. The Platinum Wing Award for Lifetime Achievement also will be presented. For a Gold Wing Award application, please contact NBAA Public Relations at (202) 783-9362 or visit our Web site at www.nbaa.org/awards.

Message & Information Center
Convention Attendees should leave telephone and room numbers with family and at the office to receive messages. In addition, there will be an NBAA Message & Information Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The phone number will be announced this summer.

NBAA represents the aviation interests of over 6,500 companies which own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues approaching $5 trillion — a number that is about half the gross domestic product — and employ more than 19 million people worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of civil aviation products and services.