I doubt there is an easier exhibition venue to access than Palexpo in Geneva – the home of the EBACE event. You collect your luggage after your flight, turn left, left again and then right – and you're there! It's more or less the same routine if you are arriving by train. All within walking distance of your arrival point in Geneva. But, as a long time exhibitor at EBACE – and pleased to have been associated with the show since it started – we at EBAN are also aware that perhaps visitors do not know exactly how much there is to see within the various areas of the EBACE site.

Explore the halls

So, you have arrived at the main door of Hall 7 at Palexpo, collected your badge, and you can head off to the right, to the all-singing, all-dancing manufacturer booths, or carry straight on, to be equally seduced by the extensive static aircraft display, just a short walk away.

Hall 7 always seems to be the busiest hall at EBACE – those manufacturers don't want you to go beyond their domain. But, unlike the NBAA convention, where the big boys are round the edges and the smaller exhibitors are in the middle, at EBACE, you need to venture through Hall 7, ascend the escalator, up some more stairs, traverse the semi-open helicopter display and then you find your way into Halls 5 and 6.

After your brief open air excursion (parallel to the runway at Geneva's Airport for those who enjoy a bit of viewing) the other halls are where – arguably – a lot of the real EBACE business is conducted. You will find airports, charter operators, most of the flight support and fuel companies and the myriad of specialist companies, including us at EBAN, who proudly serve business aviation.

This is where you can sit down and have a good conversation with your contacts – the further into this area you venture, the more of their time you will receive.

How long are you going to need?

EBACE has become a major business aviation event by anyone's standards. If you can spare at least two days, then I would suggest that your time will be well spent. Perhaps consider days two and three, the last day is always more quiet and people are happy to talk. And remember that you can walk from EBACE back to board your return flight. Some of the legacy carriers allow you to check-in first thing on the morning, so you can leave your luggage and head off to do business.

Take a train ride downtown

If you are staying in Geneva, then your hotel should provide you with a free local transport pass for the duration of your visit. The train transfer from Geneva Airport station to the city centre station is swift and much more pleasurable than the road route, which can be quite congested – especially in the morning and evening peak hours.

Ironically, in the years that our team has been attending EBACE, we have come to realise that, unless your hotel is within walking distance of the EBACE site, it is actually quicker to stay downtown and transfer by train than to reach some of the airport hotels. And then of course you are already in the zone for any evening events you have been invited to.

Whatever your reason for attending EBACE, we hope it will be a worthwhile event. And if you'd like to come and meet us, you will find EBAN on booth 580.