A decade after NBAA’s annual convention in Orlando weathered through the vestiges of Hurricane Sandy, the 2022 BACE is moving forward also in the Central Florida city on October 18 through 20 in the wake of the more recent Hurricane Ian that ripped through the state in late September. And like the 2012 event, NBAA-BACE 2022 is providing an opportunity for the business aviation community to respond and show its resiliency, the association said.
“Despite the storm’s impact on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the facilities for NBAA-BACE 2022 in Orlando remain ready for the show,” NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said, shortly after confirming that the Orange County Convention Center and other facilities were not harmed by the storm.
NBAA also at the time said its member were mobilizing to assist Floridians, including the activation of the NBAA Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database and events planned during BACE to forward those efforts, including a YoPro Networking Reception and "Helpy Hour" on October 18, when business aviation professionals will work together on relief packages and assistance to local charities.
With the pandemic sidelining the planned 2020 BACE, the annual convention is returning to Florida for the first time since 2018. This year’s event has more than 800 exhibitors and 70 static display aircraft listed and as in the past is expected to draw thousands of attendees.
This year’s event also is anticipated to show the evolution of the industry with advanced air mobility on display along with a full lineup of aircraft ranging from piston models such as the Piper Archer to VIP bizliners such as the Boeing BBJ. Rotorcraft will be on display and among them is the Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor.
In addition to AAM companies such as Supernal and Wisk attending, the convention will host a number of educational sessions focused on the opportunities, challenges, and future of aerospace, among others, as well as a reception for the emerging tech zone.
In tandem with that, as has been increasing throughout NBAA events, BACE is also expected to have a spotlight on sustainability as the industry marches toward its stated goal of net zero by 2050. In addition to providing educational sessions on climate change and sustainability efforts, BACE once again will provide an opportunity for exhibitors to join a Green Pledge. Some 20 percent of exhibitors participated in the program and 2021 and NBAA hopes to double that this year, with a goal of eventually reaching 100 percent participation.
BACE further has a varied slate of keynotes from actresses to astrophysicists. Day 1 speakers are famed NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who survived a harrowing Cessan Citation Latitude crash in Tennessee; Neil deGrasse Tyson, the acclaimed astrophysicist, author, and science commentator; FAA acting Administrator Billy Nolen; and, Patrick Ky, the executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Day 2 keynotes are Monica Barbaro, an actress who played the role of the sole female fighter pilot in the box-office smash “Top Gun: Maverick;” Kevin LaRosa II, an aerial coordinator and stunt pilot known for work in blockbuster movies such as “The Avengers” (2012) and “Iron Man;” U.S. Navy Commander and Blue Angels pilot Frank Weisser; and known pilot, author, and industry pilot Tammie Jo Shults.
