The year 2020 has been nothing short of an adventure that exposed everyone to unprecedented challenges and nudged them towards unique innovations. The aviation industry has been no different, while it is facing some of its most testing times but constantly going further with new adaptations in this transforming world. The latest testimony to that is the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) inaugural Virtual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (VBACE) 2020.

“With VBACE we’re doing more than moving online – we’re moving ahead. This event promises to move the industry forward and connect us in an innovative and state-of-the-art way. It is an unmatched opportunity for everyone in the industry to chart their course for the year ahead,” NBAA stated.

Organised on December 2-3, 2020, VBACE was an impressive combination of exciting new content and innovative variations of established hallmarks of NBAA events. Through its exclusive keynote addresses planned with award-winning singer, song writer and pilot Dierks Bentley and acclaimed writer Erin Meyer; educational sessions; sessions on sustainability, tax benefits, ownership, safe operations, security concerns, etc. there was a wide range of session for the attendees to have an immersive experience.

The VBACE also featured New Products Exhibit Hall which offered a one-stop look at dozens of gathering of new products and services by companies ranging from new industry entrants, to the industry established OEMs. The New Product Hall complemented 21 primary VBACE Exhibitor Halls featuring 170 unique, three-dimensional booths, ranging from small spaces to enormous custom installations that would allow you to transport to the booths right from the comfort of your homes.

Exhibitors such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Cirrus, Collins Aerospace, Dassault, Embraer, Honda Aircraft, Honeywell, Pilatus, Pratt & Whitney, and Textron Aviation, and many others were exhibiting for the first time at any NBAA show.

Throughout VBACE, a slate of chat lounges, coffee socials and other virtual gatherings spanning the diverse range of business aviation roles and positions were arranged for attendees to gather virtually to socialize with their peers.The platform also gave interactive booths with demonstrations, one-on-one video meetings, resources that highlighted products and services for attendees. There was also an option to chat with exhibitors, and have your own personalised virtual backpack. Whether it’s an exhibit video, education session, an entire booth, or any other collateral, you simply clicked on the Virtual Backpack icon where it will be saved for you to watch, read, or act upon when it’s convenient for you.

There was also a virtual newsroom. NBAA had arranged a dedicated journalists’ webinar prior to the event to provide information and insights for attending and covering the first VBACE.

NBAA Senior Vice President for Exhibitions and Membership Chris Strong noted, “VBACE is going to help us connect in new, exciting ways. That ability to connect is how we build and sustain relationships. It’s how we better ourselves as professionals. It’s how we get business done. It’s how we plan for the future, as individuals, and as an industry. We have many ways for people to connect, and we want to highlight those.”

With many such sessions to attend, a lot of interesting and important information to gather, inspiring stories to experience, and expo halls to explore, VBACE 2020 was full of excitement as the aviation world came together virtually.