As final preparations are being made for the October 18 start of NBAA's annual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the association is publishing a dedicated website, featuring its humanitarian response programme and other resources, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian's Florida landfall this week.

NBAA has been in continuing contact with representatives from the association's host convention city of Orlando in Florida, who report that the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando Executive Airport and other facilities have not been impacted by the storm.

“NBAA and its members are mobilising with Floridians to respond to the challenges caused by Hurricane Ian,” says association president and CEO Ed Bolen. “The ability of business aviation to provide humanitarian assistance in times of crisis is a hallmark of our industry, and our association is coordinating with government and nonprofit organisations on guidance for relief assistance.” Bolen noted that operators are encouraged to register for the NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database to support relief efforts.

“Despite the storm's impact on Florida's Gulf Coast, the facilities for 2022 NBAA-BACE in Orlando remain ready for the show,” Bolen continued. “We look forward to working with Orlando Executive Airport and the Orange County Convention Center in hosting our best convention ever.”

On Wednesday, the storm made landfall on Florida's southwestern coast as a Category 4 hurricane and weakened to a tropical storm while moving north-northeasterly across the state.

Additional relief efforts will be underway during NBAA-BACE, including the evening of Tuesday, October 18, during the NBAA YoPro Networking Reception & Helpy Hour, in which young business aviation professionals work together to provide relief packages and assistance to local charities.