NBAA-BACE 2020 Go/No-go Decision Could Come This Week
With the Covid-19 crisis looming in the background, NBAA could make a decision this week on whether to hold its annual convention.
(Photo: David McIntosh)

While NBAA continues to prepare for NBAA-BACE 2020—scheduled for October 6 to 8 in Orlando, Florida—it could make a go/no-go decision on whether to hold the world’s largest business aviation show as early as later this week. If greenlighted, it would mark the largest trade event held to date in the Covid-19 era.


NBAA has partnered with CrowdRx, a provider of physician-led event services, for expert guidance on maintaining safety at NBAA-BACE. Further, it has been in regular contact with relevant authorities in medicine and government. Some of the show’s proposed health safety measures listed on an NBAA-BACE FAQ page include mask wearing, one-way aisles, and social distancing. “As we make preparations for the show, our overriding focus—as with all NBAA events—is on the health and safety of all participants,” an NBAA spokesman said.


To date, 547 exhibitors have signed on for NBAA-BACE 2020, down from about 1,000 at the most recent annual NBAA conventions. This year’s list includes all business aircraft manufacturers except for Embraer, Piper Aircraft, and Textron Aviation. Embraer confirmed it would exhibit at the show and is currently negotiating with NBAA over booth location, and Piper said it would exhibit at the static display area. However, Textron Aviation said it “made the proactive decision back in April to postpone our participation in many upcoming industry trade shows and events, including NBAA-BACE.”


“We intend to come forward with an update in early July,” the NBAA spokesman told AIN. “At that time, we also intend to have detailed answers to address specific logistical and other questions about the event.”