NBAA's Convention Brings More Than Economic Benefits to Host City

With tens of thousands of Attendees, NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention brings an injection of economic activity to the event’s host city each year. This year, the 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010) is expected to draw approximately 25,000 Attendees to Atlanta, GA.

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) estimates the Attendees at NBAA2010 will provide a direct economic impact of $29 to $34 million to local businesses.

“This is the largest aviation conference in the United States,” said William Pate, president and CEO of ACVB. “Aviation is vital to Atlanta and the entire Atlanta business community welcomes NBAA’s return.”

In uncertain economic times, that infusion of business is critical to the Atlanta tourism and hospitality industries, but NBAA brings more than business to the Convention’s host city. Every year, the people of the business aviation industry, led by a Local Committee, put a priority on giving back to the community hosting the Convention.

The Local Committee for NBAA2010 has made a standout effort, focusing on reaching out to the youth of Atlanta.

“We’re really looking to establish a long-term relationship with the community here,” said Bill McBride, volunteer project coordinator for the Local Committee and senior director of flight operations for The Home Depot. “NBAA sees returning to Atlanta as more than just holding a trade show. It’s an opportunity to leave something behind.”

The committee has planned a “community build” to benefit the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club, located near Peachtree DeKalb Airport (PDK), the site of the NBAA2010 Static Display of Aircraft. The effort will mobilize more than 400 volunteers from among Convention Attendees, local businesses and the neighboring community to upgrade the facilities in a single day during the Convention. Volunteers will build a new playground, refurbish the teen center, resurface the outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, build an outdoor classroom, repaint walls and more, all with an aviation theme.

“It’s a lot of grunt labor, but everyone contributes at the highest level,” said McBride, who’s made significant progress toward the committee’s goal of raising more than $100,000 to fund the effort. “When you see the needs of this community, you understand how powerful a difference the work makes in the lives of these kids.”

In addition to the build, the Local Committee is sponsoring a mentoring day during the Convention for local students interested in careers in aviation. On Oct. 21 (the final day of the Show), NBAA is inviting middle school, high school and college-age students to attend the NBAA2010 Careers in Business Aviation Day on site, at no charge.

“We’re reaching out to Atlanta high schools, civil air patrol cadet programs, colleges and technical schools,” said Chris Ison, career day coordinator for the Local Committee and vice president of O’Gara Aviation.

“In all, we hope to have 350 students participate.”

The day of the program will begin in a convention center auditorium with an orientation video and keynote presentation by former Navy Blue Angels commander George Dom and former Air Force Thunderbirds commander Ron Mumm.

Students will then meet the volunteer marshals who will guide them around the Exhibit floor to Exhibitors that are giving career presentations at various times throughout the day.

“We’re partnering with about a dozen Exhibitors to make formal presentations to the students,” said Ison. “They’ll hear from manufacturers, charter operations, FBOs, aviation insurers and the FAA. We want them to understand that a career in aviation means so much more than sitting in a cockpit, even if you’re a pilot.”

In planning these activities, the Local Committee is working hand-in-hand with local organizations such as Hands On Atlanta, which will manage the hundreds of volunteers at the Brookhaven Boys & Girls Club, and Georgia state education officials, who have provided ideas for the mentoring program. It’s all part of NBAA’s dedication to building relationships between the industry and host city by giving back to the local community.

“In addition to attracting approximately 25,000 people and providing $34 million in economic benefits,” said ACVB president and CEO Pate, “NBAA is contributing to Atlanta’s communities by constructing new playgrounds, refurbishing youth play areas and mentoring local students. Atlanta businesses will certainly come together and support that.”