The NBAA 2014 Convention is in full swing, but many here in Orlando are nonetheless looking ahead to the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show December 8-10 at Dubai World Central in the United Arab Emirates, the next major event on international business aviation’s calendar.

This sixth edition of the MEBA biennial show (Booth 1643) will have 50 aircraft on static display, more than 400 exhibitors and is expected to draw more than 8,000 visitors. At least three-quarters of U.S. exhibitors will be new to the show, attesting to the event’s and the region’s rapidly growing importance to business aviation. The roster of U.S. companies displaying includes Avpro, Textron Aviation (Beechcraft), JSSI and Rockwell Collins. Returning exhibitor Boeing Business Jets noted that the Middle East accounts for 30 percent of the company’s BBJ sales.

“This region has one of the world’s fastest growing private and business aviation sectors,” said Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). “Statistics for the region’s projected business aviation sector in 2020 reveal a market worth $1.3 billion, with 175,000 aircraft movements and some 1,200 business aircraft registered across MENA [Middle East/North Africa].”

The U.S. Pavilion, organized by Kallman Worldwide, is expected to double in size and showcase numerous smaller firms, from catering services to ground-support equipment. “It’s exciting to watch buyers and sellers discover each other at the MEBA show,” said Tom Kallman, president and CEO of Kallman Worldwide. “Our exhibitors are bringing the latest North American technology and the highest quality products and services to the region at this show­–exactly what the Middle East and North Africa business aviation market is seeking.”

Further emphasizing the region’s expanding importance, MEBAA will host its first dedicated event for North Africa, the MEBAA Morocco show, at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport in September 2015. The two-day event will include a static display area featuring some 30 exhibitors and 25 aircraft.

“The MEBAA Morocco show recognizes the burgeoning aviation industry in the country and recent investments by aircraft manufacturers,” said Al Naqbi, “particularly those in business aviation.”