Association, Exhibitors Agree  That ABACE Is The Premier Event in the Asian Region

The NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) plan to reintroduce the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE). The event, which will be held annually beginning in 2012 at the Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai, China, marks the much-anticipated return of the first and most successful trade show in Asia dedicated solely to business aviation.

The announcement of ABACE2012 was made Monday. The event will be held in the new Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Center from February 28 to March 1, 2012. The event will include exhibits in the facility's 4,000 square-meter hangar, a Static Display of Aircraft outside on its expansive ramp, and on-site education sessions led by industry veterans with knowledge of the region's business and regulatory environment.

"When NBAA and AsBAA hosted the first ABACE in Shanghai in 2004, much of the world questioned the potential for business aviation in Asia," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "However, those early shows yielded results by increasing awareness about our industry. We are returning to Shanghai far ahead of where we started, but with still much to accomplish; nevertheless, it is now clear to everyone that there is tremendous potential for business aviation in Asia."

"AsBAA is pleased to join NBAA in co-organizing ABACE2012 at Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport," said AsBAA Chairman Chuck Woods. "Our association brings local knowledge and expertise to the partnership, with NBAA providing its renowned event-organizing skills. Both organizations believe that ABACE not only represents an excellent platform to introduce the benefits of business aviation to Asia, but as IBAC members, we believe ABACE also provides an opportunity to work with the region's regulators on policies that support our industry."

"China Business Aviation Group [CBA] is very pleased to join NBAA promoting business aviation in Asia," said Jason Liao, CBA chairman and CEO, and NBAA's chief representative in Asia. "Asia is a very exciting market. ABACE will be the premier business aviation show in Asia."

"We are delighted that ABACE is returning to Shanghai in 2012," said Alan Smith, chief executive officer for Hawker Pacific. "The selection of the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre at Hongqaio International Airport as the venue places ABACE in the heart of the emerging business aircraft market in China and the Asian region. Our partner in Shanghai, the Shanghai Airport Authority, has provided a world-class facility at Hongqaoi Airport that will showcase business aviation in the region. We congratulate the NBAA on this initiative, and we look forward to supporting this important event."

Several of the original equipment manufacturers with plans to exhibit at ABACE2012 voiced their strong support for return of ABACE.
"Dassault is enthusiastic about ABACE," said Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. President Jean Rosanvallon. "We expect it to be like the NBAA Convention, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition and the Latin American Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition - one of the world's premier business aviation events."

Bombardier Business Aircraft Vice President for Marketing Rod Williams added: "ABACE will be the right show, at the right time, in the right place. We are very much looking forward to it."

Hawker Beechcraft Chairman and CEO Bill Boisture noted, "ABACE is exactly what our industry needs - a dedicated business aviation event that we know will effectively promote business aviation in this important market."

Cessna Aircraft Company Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton said: "Cessna is looking forward to participating in ABACE beginning in 2012. We see significant growth potential in the Asia-Pacific region, and events like ABACE are more than trade shows; they are the foundation for growing business aviation in a country or region."

Airbus Executive and Private Aviation Vice President Francois Chazelle declared: "Airbus believes in the benefits of standalone air shows dedicated to business aviation. It also recognizes the importance of the Chinese market, in which the modern Airbus corporate jet family already has a growing presence, and looks forward to participating in ABACE in Shanghai."

Gulfstream Senior Vice President for Marketing and Sales Larry Flynn added: "ABACE will be an important event for both selling airplanes and fostering business aviation in Asia. Gulfstream is looking forward to it."

Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets Luís Carlos Affonso, said: "Asia is a very important market for Embraer and we believe that ABACE will be a great opportunity for connecting with new potential customers in the region."

FMI: www.nbaa.org