At the Sun ’n’ Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., yesterday NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen announced a new three-day industry event dedicated to operators who use light airplanes for business travel. The Light Airplane Conference & Exhibition (LAC&E), which will be geared for “business owners and other operators of light jets, turboprops and piston airplanes,” is scheduled to be held Thursday through Saturday, March 12 to 14, 2009, in San Diego. Bolen said the association is launching LAC&E because a “majority” of NBAA members have only one aircraft and fly smaller airplanes, and many have told the association that the annual convention hasn’t met their needs since it focuses on larger airplanes. The exhibit floor at the San Diego Convention Center is expected to cover approximately 1,000 exhibit booth spaces, and the static display at Jimsair at San Diego International Airport will feature up to 50 light aircraft. Bolen is asking light airplane operators to submit suggestions and ideas for the 25 information sessions at LAC&E by calling (800) 9-AVIATE or sending an e-mail to
ideas@nbaa.org.