As the NBAA begins preparing for exhibitor placement at the 2021 NBAA-BACE later this month, organisers have reported that by every metric the demand for participation is exceptionally strong among exhibitors and attendees.

NBAA-BACE is scheduled for 12-14 October in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the exhibit floor is nearly sold out, with 90 per cent of the planned space booked. The exhibitor lineup, including dozens of new forward-looking companies, will be showcased in the Las Vegas Convention Center's brand new West Hall.

A recent survey of NBAA-BACE attendees demonstrates an appetite for a return to face-to-face networking, with 88 per cent expecting to attend live events in the autumn timeframe, a number up appreciably from an identical attendee survey earlier this year.

The association's location for hosting the show in the convention centre's West Hall has been met with an enthusiastic response. The new facility features 600,000 sq ft of contiguous exhibit space, 80 new meeting rooms and an expansive 14,000 sq ft outdoor terrace for receptions.

“NBAA-BACE 2021 is shaping up to be a special event,” says association president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Although a small number of companies are not participating in trade shows this year, we're thrilled that nearly all the leading companies in business aviation will be at NBAA-BACE, some in a very big way.”

The association also noted plans to enhance the attendee experience this year, including an expanded floor footprint for advanced air mobility technology, a heightened, week-long focus on business aviation sustainability and an expanded programme featuring sought-after thought leaders who are shaping the industry's future.

“NBAA-BACE will be a celebration of innovation, technology, sustainability and workforce development, essentially all things business aviation,” Bolen concludes. “It will be a truly transformative week, as we come together to unite with each other and ignite the imagination.”