Contact: Dan Hubbard at (202) 783-9360 or dhubbard@nbaa.org
WASHINGTON, DC, May 9, 2006 – The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that this year’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2006), held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 3–5, concluded as the biggest and best in the show’s six-year history.
This year’s EBACE – the only major European event focused solely on business aviation – had a record number of Attendees, Exhibitors and aircraft on display. The Attendee total reached 9,743 this year, a 27-percent jump over last year’s total of 7,667 Attendees. The Exhibitor count reached 292, up 6 percent over last year’s total of 275 Exhibitors. There were 1,206 booth spaces at the event this year, up 37 percent from last year’s total of 878 booth spaces. The number and types of aircraft at the Static Display also grew, with 52 fixed-wing aircraft joined by four business helicopters that appeared on a platform outside Palexpo’s Hall 6, along with two more helicopters on the EBACE exhibit floor.
“This year’s EBACE has surpassed even our highest expectations,” said EBAA CEO Brian Humphries. “We are delighted at the growing support the business aviation community has shown for this event each year, and especially this year, the strongest yet. We were especially pleased to hear the satisfaction expressed by both Exhibitors and Delegates at the success of EBACE 2006.
“We also want to extend a word of thanks to officials at Geneva International Airport and Geneva Palexpo, who have always been so accommodating to our needs, and to whom we gave special recognition this year,” Humphries added. EBAA and NBAA recognized Geneva airport and Palexpo officials last week with the EBACE European Business Aviation Awards for their continuing support for EBACE, which has been held in Geneva every year since its inception in 2001.
“EBACE has become established in Europe as an opportunity to showcase what business aviation is all about,” added NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This gathering of the many types and sizes of businesses involved in the industry illustrates its diversity, and the vital and increasing role it plays in supporting economic development and investment across the globe. NBAA and EBAA join in thanking everyone involved with this year’s event, and we look forward to our next gathering here in 2007.”
The next EBACE event is scheduled for May 22–24, 2007, at Geneva Palexpo and Geneva International Airport. EBAA and NBAA have committed to locate EBACE in Geneva through 2009.
Visit the EBACE web site at www.ebace.aero.
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Founded in 1947, NBAA serves more than 7,000 Member Companies by promoting the aviation interests of organizations utilizing business aircraft in the United States and worldwide. The association provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.