National Business Aviation Association Hosts Major Forum at Westchester County Airport

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) on Thursday hosted its Regional Forum at Westchester County Airport, bringing together current and prospective business aircraft owners, operators, manufacturers, customers and other industry personnel.

The one-day event, which was held within the new Million Air hangar at the airport, featured over 2,500 attendees, 170 exhibitors, six education sessions and more than 25 aircraft on display.

Joan McDonald, Westchester County Director of Operations, was a speaker at the opening session and highlighted the importance of the airport to the county’s economy.

The NBAA Regional Forums are hosted at top airports across the country to help introduce business aviation to local officials and prospective owners and operators, and to address any current issues in the region.

“We are trilled to have the NBAA Regional Forum at Westchester County Airport, bringing together businesses, experts and aviation enthusiasts of all ages from the New York-metropolitan area and beyond,” said John Ravitz, executive vice president of the Business Council of Westchester. “Westchester County Airport is a critical tool for economic development and the Regional Forum was a wonderful showcase of this vital industry.”

As the county’s only business membership organization focusing on economic development and advocacy, The Business Council of Westchester has been committed to working on enhancing – not expanding – services at the airport for the business community, the traveling community and the neighboring community.

As such, the BCW formed the Coalition for Westchester Airport in August 2018 with the goal of providing a reasoned voice to the public debate, separating myths from facts about enhancing the delivery of services at the airport. The Coalition is comprised of businesses large and small, as well as labor organizations, educators and nonprofits. Learn more at http://coalitionforwestchesterairport.org.

The NBAA education sessions included:

Political Outlook for Business Aviation in 2019 and Beyond

Presented by: Ed Bolen, NBAA and local business aviation leaders

NBAA and local business aviation leaders discuss key issues and opportunities facing the business aviation industry, from airport access to Urban Air Mobility. Learn how to get involved and be a strong advocate for business aviation.

Charting a Business Aviation Career

Presented by: Brittany Davies, NBAA

Panelists from different facets of the aviation industry discussed why they became involved in aviation and how they chose their specific field of work. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions to gain insight and perspective in multiple areas of the industry while learning from top aviation professionals.

Questions No One Wants to Ask… Or Answer

Presented by: Joanne Barbera, Barbera & Watkins, LLC and Eileen Gleimer, Crowell & Moring LLP

Tax, FAA and SEC rules require flight purpose description for each passenger for each segment that affects passenger income, taxpayer deductions, company charges and reporting for the aircraft. A look at what questions to ask in order to classify passengers and flights properly, when to ask them, how to explain the need for the information and what to do once you have it.

What Makes the Market Go Round

Presented by: Jay Mesinger, Mesinger Jet Sales

Given the dynamic nature of the industry, this session created data points to collectively focus on to be able to predict and possibly even head off changes that can be negative to the future of the industry. The presentation started with a comprehensive market update and then moved quickly into a collaborative discussion taking advantage of the wealth of audience intelligence.

Practical Flight Department Risk Management and Safety Assurance

Presented by: Tom Huff, Gulfstream

This innovative, scenario-based presentation focused on advancing business aviation safety and engaged the audience by asking, “what would you do?” in three distinct educational vignettes.

CAM: Certifying the Future of Business Aviation

Presented by: Jamie Stember, CAM, CP Management, LLC and T. James Buchanan, CAM, AT&T

A look at the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program, which provides a path for business aviation professionals to document their skills and demonstrate their commitment to leadership excellence.