NBAA-BACE Opens in Las Vegas With "The Launch" Program Featuring NASA Administrator and Aviation Award Honoree
Why It MattersThe Horizon Stage opener shows the convention positioning itself as a place for aviation leaders to convene alongside government and aerospace voices, with regulators and innovators sharing one program.
What happened
NBAA-BACE opened in Las Vegas with "The Launch," a program held on the convention's new Horizon Stage. It brought together business aviation executives, pilots, aerospace innovators and association leaders.
Aviation advocate and "Pink Jet" pilot Stephanie Goetz served as emcee. NBAA Board Chair John Witzig welcomed attendees and thanked the association's Leadership Council, volunteers and members.
Dan Hubbard, NBAA senior vice president of communications and interim chief operating officer, previewed appearances during the week by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and the U.S. Transportation Secretary. The program also featured the NASA Administrator and an aviation award honoree.
Industry impact & what to watch
An opening session that places association leadership, pilots and aerospace innovators on one stage, and that signals a week of appearances by federal officials, reflects how the business aviation community uses its flagship convention. It is a venue where operators, regulators and technology voices share a single agenda rather than meeting in separate tracks.
The previewed appearances by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and the U.S. Transportation Secretary are the items still to come during the week. What each says from the convention stage will indicate which regulatory and policy priorities NBAA expects its members to engage with.
