Press Release

Issued by National Business Aviation Association.

December 11, 2020

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) was recently recognised by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) for its innovative and feature-packed international events with receipt of the 2020 IAEE International Excellence Award.

NBAA earned the award for its work producing the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland and the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) in Shanghai, China. The award recognises organisations producing exhibitions that have made exceptional strides as an international event, including through exhibitor and attendee growth and the expansion of education opportunities in a particular region.

“We are honoured to receive this prestigious industry award that acknowledges the hard work by NBAA and its association and industry partners in producing these annual events focused on driving the growth of business aviation around the globe,” said Chris Strong, NBAA senior vice president for conventions and membership.

In 2001, NBAA partnered with the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), Geneva Palexpo and the Geneva International Airport to produce the first EBACE. Over the past 20 years, EBACE has grown to become the premier business aviation event in Europe and the second-largest business aviation event in the world, second only to NBAA's annual convention in the United States.

NBAA also saw the opportunity for business aviation in the Asia-Pacific region and launched ABACE in 2010. Unlike the association's other annual events, ABACE takes place on Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport where there is no convention centre. NBAA worked with its partners, including the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) and Shanghai Airport Authority, to bring all the features of a convention centre to an active airport ramp.

“I'd also like to recognise our longtime partner The Freeman Company, whose valuable work in creating each show's unique signage, layouts and exhibitor spaces truly brings ABACE and EBACE to life,” Strong added. “Neither event could have grown into the premier gatherings they've become without its efforts.”

Receipt of the IAEE International Excellence Award was to have coincided with the 10th and 20th anniversaries of ABACE and EBACE, respectively, before COVID-19 forced their suspension. Strong noted the significance in receiving an honour that underscores the importance of in-person events as the pandemic continues to hinder such gatherings around the globe.

“Planning for ABACE, EBACE and other NBAA events is an ongoing process that never really stops, even as we continue to face an uncertain timeline for the return of in-person conventions,” Strong concluded. “Recognition with the IAEE International Excellence Award at this particular moment reaffirms our commitment and our optimism that we'll soon be able to join together as an industry in 2021.”