Over 12,500 Attendees From 99 Countries Visited Geneva For The Event

Organizers of the 12th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2012) said Wednesday that the show concluded as one of the strongest EBACE events yet, demonstrating its value even amidst a challenging European economy.

They noted that as the third and final day of the show concluded, 12,638 Attendees had participated, representing 99 countries – both numbers on par with last year’s show. Additionally, 491 Exhibitors were on hand, occupying a record-breaking 2,280 booth spaces across Halls 5, 6 and 7 of the Geneva Palexpo convention center. Furthermore, EBACE2012 featured 60 aircraft on its Static Display of Aircraft with a 10-percent increase in ramp space, making it the largest-ever EBACE Static Display.

Brian Humphries, European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) president, Fabio Gamba, EBAA CEO, and Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO, were pleased with the show’s strong outcome. “This year’s show was a tremendous success,” Humphries said. “The numbers demonstrate that EBACE remains the most important European business aviation event, even in – and, perhaps especially in – tough economic times in the region.”

Gamba agreed, adding: “We’re delighted with the excitement and enthusiasm that surrounded this year’s show. We thank the Exhibitors and Attendees for their support, and we look forward to seeing them again at EBACE2013.”

Gamba and Bolen noted that, as with previous EBACE events, the 2012 edition provided an effective advocacy platform for the industry, showcasing the value of business aviation in Europe and across the world. He pointed to the participation of three top government officials in the EBACE2012 Opening General Session: Salvatore Sciacchitano, executive secretary of the European Civil Aviation Conference; Marian Jean Marinescu, a member of the European Parliament and vice president of the European People’s Party of the European Parliament; and Matthew Baldwin, the European Commission’s director for aviation and international transport affairs.

“EBACE allowed us to show the true face of business aviation to high-ranking government officials, and to highlight the industry’s essential role in supporting jobs, helping companies succeed and connecting towns and cities across Europe to the broader global marketplace,” Bolen said. “We look forward to having similar opportunities to communicate the industry’s importance at future EBACE events.”

The show organizers were also pleased with the success of this year’s EBACE Safety Workshop, EBACE International Aircraft Transactions Conference and the host of EBACE education sessions, all held in conjunction with the trade show. At the sessions, panels of industry experts discussed the latest safety information, emerging trends in tax compliance, the status of aviation system modernization efforts in the region, and the industry’s policy concerns, including the European Union’s controversial Emissions Trading Scheme, the progress on the Single European Sky initiative and other matters. (Pictured: (L-R) NBAA CEO Ed Bolen, EBAA CEO Brian Humphries)

FMI: www.ebaa.org