The Irish Business & General Aviation Association is to host its own network-focused destination conference this autumn. The debut edition will take place on 17 November in partnership with the EBAA at Adare Manor, Limerick. IBGAA is also delighted to confirm Gulfstream as its first premier sponsor.

The Association's founding trio of Josh Stewart, Joe Buckley and Dave Scully intend to make the conference an annual event. It will appeal to senior decision makers in business aviation with a target audience of corporate jet operators, private aircraft owners plus charter users from various sectors. Conference topics will cover new opportunities for business aviation in ultra-luxe tourism; how private charter can support international corporates and bolster economies; business aviation for leisure in the post-Covid world; how aircraft technology and innovation is driving efficiency and sustainability; connected aviation - what's next inflight and on the ground; how US CBP pre-clearance at Shannon airport has become a major success story; and the advantages of setting up in Ireland as a friendly gateway to Europe.

IBGAA founding members include ACASS Ireland, Gainjet Ireland and Woodgate Aviation. It was set up during September 2020 in the teeth of the pandemic, and secured a member sharing agreement with the EBAA at the outset.

EBAA COO Robert Baltus says: “With business aviation facing many challenges both at national and European level, it's more important than ever for associations to work together and help the industry move forward. The IBGAA is also an accepted member of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), enabling it to expand its international reach as it promotes the advantages Ireland offers to the global business aviation industry.”

“We are delighted that Adare Manor, owned by private jet owner and legendary golf and horse racing entrepreneur JP McManus, is enthusiastic to partner with us for our debut conference,” says Buckley. “Our aim is to establish a must attend event on the international business aviation calendar at Adare Manor, or another of Ireland's luxury castle hotels in the future, annually.” The Irish Tourist Board is also providing considerable support.

"Our conference will outline the advantages of using Ireland as a European base,” adds Scully. “It is a highly attractive location for business aviation aircraft registration, ownership and aircraft leasing. Its gold standard registry, operated by the Irish Aviation Authority, is one of the most highly-regarded national aviation regulatory authorities in the world.”

Irish Aviation Regulator Diarmuid Ó Conghaile welcomes the establishment of the association: “Private jets are a long-established segment of the Irish aviation eco-system and the formation of the IBGAA is a welcome development in this space as Ireland looks towards the future and the recovery from the past years of stagnation in the sector. We look forward to working with the IBGAA membership and continue to offer our world-class registry services through the EI and EJ register.”