News

Washington, DC, Feb. 5, 2021 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that it is cancelling its in-person events through June 30, 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, adding that the organization will view options for convening through virtual programming.

“We are disappointed that we will be unable to offer a robust slate of in-person events in the first half of 2021,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “That said, the safety and security of our event participants has always been a core value for the association, and that is central to our decision. As we did in 2020, we are exploring opportunities to gather the business aviation community through various online initiatives, and we will provide details as soon as they are available.”

The decision affects the 2021 Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE), which was scheduled for April 13-15 in Shanghai (the 2022 event is scheduled from April 12-14); the 2021 NBAA Maintenance Conference, planned for May 11-13 (the 2022 event is scheduled for May 3-5, in San Antonio, TX); and the 2021 NBAA White Plains Regional Forum, scheduled for June 9. Earlier this week, NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association jointly announced the cancellation of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), planned for May 18-20 in Geneva, with plans for online programming during the EBACE week.

“We will keep members and partners apprised with regard to how this challenging and evolving situation impacts our industry,” Bolen said. Continually updated information on COVID-19, including the status of future NBAA events, is available at nbaa.org/coronavirus.

# # #

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 11,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

Members of the media may receive NBAA Press Releases immediately via email. To subscribe to the NBAA Press Release email list, submit the online form.

NBAA marks the May 12 passing of William J. McShane, 61, a respected leader of the New York-area aviation community and proud advocate for the industry. McShane was vice president of business development and special projects for Sheltair Aviation, where he managed the FBO’s expansion in New York and oversaw the construction of a new hangar complex at Republic Airport.

A founding member of the Long Island Business Aviation Association (LIBAA), he formerly served as a president and board member. He was also a board member of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA) and founded the Aerospace Education Corporation, a nonprofit organization to promote aviation education.

McShane was recognized as instrumental to bringing the Bethpage Air Show to Jones Beach on Long Island over 15 years ago and ensuring the show remained an annual local tradition.

In 2014, NBAA recognized McShane with the NBAA Silk Scarf Award for his contributions to the business aviation industry through NYAMA and LIBAA.

“Bill was highly admired in the aviation community, with a career marked by service, professionalism and insightful leadership,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Bill’s passing will be felt throughout the New York region and across the industry.”

McShane’s family requests memorial contributions be made to the Bill McShane Memorial Aviation Scholarship through NYAMA.