The 2016 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE 2016) is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ever with several highlights planned to build on last year’s successful show. Set for 24 to 26 May, EBACE 2016 will include more than 500 exhibitors, a static display of more than 50 business aircraft and education sessions on operating safely and efficiently.

EBACE 2015 marked the premiere of a new young professionals networking event; introduced EBACE attendees to the Inspiration Zone, which brought sessions about timely industry topics to the show floor and featured a sold-out static display of aircraft.

“In the face of ongoing challenges within business aviation, EBACE 2015 was a great success, well-attended by industry representatives from around the world,” said Chris Strong, NBAA’s Senior Vice President of conventions and membership. “We expect EBACE2016 to have another strong turnout and we have many educational and networking opportunities, as well as compelling speakers, planned for attendees.

“Attendees will be challenged and inspired by the opening general session speakers,” said Strong. “The Inspiration Zone will be back on the exhibit floor with Women in Aviation and young professionals’ networking events to help business aviation experts in the region expand their career skills and attendees of all experience levels will find something exciting and new on the exhibit floor, static display and high-quality educational sessions.”

EBACE keeps attracting top players in the industry and here is a peek into some of the players across a broad spectrum of the industry.

Airbus Corporate Jets. Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) create the world’s most rewarding flying experiences with customers by providing them with unique expertise, the finest service, best technology and highest standards of care in corporate aviation. All ACJ come from the most modern aircraft family on the market. Derived from Airbus’ successful market-leading jetliners ACJ customers will invariably be close to Airbus’ global support network, available round the clock and the world.

Airbus Helicopters. A division of Airbus Group, it provides the most efficient civil and military helicopter solutions to its customers who serve, protect, save lives and safely carry passengers in highly demanding environments. Flying more than three million flight hours per year, the company’s in-service fleet includes nearly 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in 154 countries.

Air BP. Air BP is one of the world’s largest suppliers of aviation fuel and services. It has a network of over 700 locations in over 50 countries and sells over seven billion gallons of fuel a year. Its customers range from airlines, business and private aircraft owners, as well as airports and airfield operators.

Bell Helicopter. A wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc, Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor concept. Globally recognised for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

Boeing Business Jets (BBJ). BBJ brings the best of commercial aviation into the realm of private air travel, offering customers a wide range of products that can be uniquely customised for the private, business or governmental sectors. The robust characteristics of these airplanes also provide an excellent value proposition when outfitted for the private market; offering larger, more personalised space, unmatched reliability and worldwide support.

Bombardier Business Jets. Bombardier’s family of aircraft is where innovation and luxury meet. Its comprehensive line of business jets is the largest of any original equipment manufacturer (OEM). With three leading aircraft families, Bombardier’s complete line of Learjet, Challenger and Global jets allows customers to grow within the Bombardier business aircraft family as their travel requirements evolve.

CAE. It is the leading international business aviation training provider with easily accessible training locations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. CAE offers flexible training options, customised to operational requirements and a unique service experience.

Dassault Aviation. The French leading aerospace company offers the Falcon range of business jets, from the twin-engine 3,350 nm large-cabin Falcon 2000S to its new flagship, the triengine 6,450 nm ultra-long range Falcon 8X. As of today, over 2,400 Falcon jets have been delivered worldwide.

Diamond Aircraft. The company produces a full range of high quality certified all-composite aircraft including the twoseat DA-20, the four-seat DA-40, the four-seat twin engine DA-42 and the five to seven seat twin engine DA-62, as well as type-specific flight training simulators and the DA-42 multi purpose platform, a remote sensing turnkey solution.

Embraer Executive Jets. It is one of the world’s leading executive jet manufacturers, having entered the business aviation market in 2000 with the Legacy jet, which led to the launch of Embraer Executive Jets in 2005. Its portfolio, the broadest in the market, consists of the entry-level Phenom 100E and the Phenom 300 light jet, the Legacy 500 midsize and Legacy 450 mid-light, the super-midsize Legacy 600 and large Legacy 650, and the ultra-large Lineage 1000E. Embraer Executive Jets’ global fleet exceeds 975 aircraft, which are in operation in over 60 countries and are supported by its global Customer Support and Services network of 75 owned and authorised service centres, complemented by a 24/7 contact centre.

ExecuJet. It is a leading global business aviation organisation offering a diverse range of services including aircraft management for private and commercial registered aircraft, aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, aircraft completions management and fixed base operations. Headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, ExecuJet has operations in six regions – Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, embracing a workforce of over 1,000 experienced staff. Execu-Jet manages 165 business jets worldwide under the most stringent safety standards. ExecuJet operates 22 world-class FBO facilities worldwide.

Fokker Services. It supports aircraft owners, operators and manufacturers around the world with a comprehensive range of products and services. Being the Type Certificate Holder of all Fokker type aircraft, it has the skills, knowledge, facilities, equipment and systems in place to deliver full support to operators and owners. Fokker Services operates a VIP aircraft conversion & completion facility, which offers turnkey solutions for VIP aircraft operators.

GE Honda Aero Engines. It manufactures the HF-120 turbofan engine and derivatives in the 1,000 to 3,500 lb thrust category. It’s a cutting edge power-plant that combines the advanced innovation, design and testing standards of its two parent companies — GE and Honda Aero Inc. The HF120 engine, the first product from GE Honda Aero Engines, epitomises the strengths of GE and Honda – advanced manufacturing, significant R&D investments, technology leadership and strong commitment to customers.

Gulfstream Aerospace. A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced businessjet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced over 2,500 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the G150, the G280, the G450, the G550, the G500, the G600, the G650 and the G650ER.

Honeywell Aerospace. Each day, aircraft with Honeywell technologies fly across the skies. In fact, its products can be found on virtually every type of commercial airliner, business and general aviation aircraft, military and space vehicle in operation today. From take-off to landing, Honeywell solutions help make flying safer, more reliable, more efficient and more cost effective. Honeywell understands the unique nature of business aviation.

Inmarsat. It provides global, high speed, reliable broadband to the cabin and the cockpit. Inmarsat enables passengers to connect their own devices and achieve speeds just like at home or office to e-mail, surf the internet, make phone calls, send text messages and even watch videos. Pilots and crew can also access safety communications, weather and flight-plan updates without impacting the passenger experience.

Pilatus. It is the only Swiss company to develop and sell aircraft to customers around the world: from the legendary PC-6 to the best-selling PC-12 and PC-21. Pilatus is currently developing the PC-24 – the world’s first Super Versatile Jet.

Rockwell Collins. Business aviation chooses Rockwell Collins for industry-leading systems, including our Pro Line Fusion and Pro Line 21 avionics, the Venue cabin management system and Stage content service. Operators rely on ARINCDirect flight support services, including flight planning, international trip support, cabin communications, scheduling and more.

Textron Aviation. It is the leading general aviation authority and home to the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands, which account for more than half of all general aviation aircraft flying. Customers are backed by the industry’s largest global service network including factory-owned, authorised and mobile service solutions. There are over 500 exhibitors, offering different products and solutions, for the industry to pick from and there is no better place than Switzerland to do the pickings.