As the final day of the 2015 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Ebace) concluded yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland, organisers said this year's event once again underscored the show’s value to exhibitors and attendees, and its continuing importance to the industry's advancement in Europe and beyond.

Ebace is jointly hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA).

“As we marked this 15th year of Ebace, it was clear that the event has always been, and will continue to be, a trade show featuring new products and cutting-edge technologies, and a premier venue for networking and getting the latest information about the trends shaping this dynamic industry," said EBAA CEO Fabio Gamba.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen agreed, stating: "Ebace remains a forward-looking event, which is why it will always be a can’t-miss show on the industry's calendar."

Bolen and Gamba also noted that this 15th Ebace offered an opportunity to consider the show’s phenomenal growth since the first edition of the show, held in 2001.

For example, that inaugural Ebace featured 200 exhibitors, and about 30 aircraft on static display. This year, the event drew nearly 500 exhibitors and nearly 60 aircraft on display. Attendees at this year’s edition came from more than 100 countries, from the European region and beyond.

The attendees had an opportunity to hear from industry thought-leaders who participated in a variety of education sessions, an international transactions seminar and a safety workshop.

This year's Ebace also featured the first-ever ‘Inspiration Zone’ with a dedicated focus on the industry's future. The Inspiration Zone, positioned on the exhibit floor, was the location for a session on unmanned aircraft systems, an inaugural Young Professionals networking event, and a session on skills and careers. A career day for European post-secondary students interested in aviation was attended by 70 students from Switzerland, Germany and Spain.

A host of exhibitor press conferences, held on and off the Ebace show floor, provided news-making announcements about companies’ products and plans. More than 400 representatives with news organisations from around the world attended and covered the event.

As it has every year, Ebace 2015 also served as an advocacy platform, showcasing the industry's importance to government leaders. At the show's opening general session, Francois Longchamp, state counsellor of the Canton of Geneva, reiterated his support for business aviation as essential to regional commerce. 

Patrick Ky, the executive director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), outlined his plans to ensure that future policymaking by the agency reflects the diversity of companies and mission profiles in business aviation.

"We thank the government leaders who joined us at Ebace this year, and also the exhibitors, attendees and others who made Ebace 2015 such a success," Gamba said. Bolen echoed Gamba’s sentiment, adding: “We are eager to celebrate the next 15 years, and beyond, for the show.”

Next year’s Ebace will return to Palexpo and Geneva International Airport from May 24 to 26, 2016.

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the NBAA is the leading organisation for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. 

The association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, the world's largest civil aviation trade show.