The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) is preparing for the return of in-person gatherings with its annual conference on March 10 in Luton. Themed “Hybrid,” this gathering will focus on “redefining our sector, from hybrid working to hybrid aircraft,” the organization said.

“As we enter 2022, however, with the subsiding of Omicron and with vaccination boosters, we are readying for industry gatherings once again,” said CEO Marc Bailey. In 2021, BBGA transferred the annual conference to an online format to continue member outreach during the pandemic.

This continued work online has been important as BBGA has worked with the UK CAA and other regulatory agencies, the association said. “BBGA has been instrumental in work before, during, and after Brexit to secure a level playing field across Europe for UK aviation businesses,” it noted.

BBGA also outlined a number of other key issues that it continued to work on throughout the pandemic from illegal charter to Jet Zero carbon-neutral growth to consultation on night restrictions at London-area airports. Further efforts included working with the Talent Retention Scheme agency on workforce retention and advising the UK on fractional ownership.

Last year was also marked by a realignment of the board to better position members in areas of expertise, the addition of sustainability working groups to a number of BBGA's committees, and the naming of Lindsey Oliver as managing director.