The Extra Mile - Fall 2018

A. The company was well-represented at the European Business
Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in May. Each year, Geneva,
Switzerland, hosts the largest business aviation event in Europe at the
Palexpo Convention Center, located conveniently at Geneva Airport
(GVA).
4
Meridian Events continued from page 3
annual race in its 21st year, organized by the United Way of Bergen
County. This year, the race attracted over 500 runners from around the
Tri-State Area and over 1,000 spectators, vendors, and volunteers to
the airport. Funds raised by the event go to help build safe and affordable
homes for homeless veterans in New Jersey.
The TEB 5K is a certified and sanctioned USA Track & Field
Association race that features a flat, straight running surface along a
segment of Teterboro’s 1-19 runway, giving runners the best chance to
improve their fastest times on its foot-friendly tarmac. This, along with
the opportunity to race while overlooking the New York City skyline,
makes this one of New Jersey’s best 5K events.
Team Meridian finished fourth with a time of 1:16:45.2. Meridian
just missed the podium by 90 seconds. We are confident we’ll contend
for the gold in 2019!
Industry Trade Shows
Meridian again participated in the 2018 edition of the European Business
Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2018). This year’s show took
place from May 29 to 31 at Geneva’s Palexpo conference center and
Geneva International Airport. The company sent six associates to the
show representing various departments, including Charter Sales,
Charter Operations, Aircraft Management and Marketing. The team
took full advantage of the event by meeting with customers and
prospects, reconnecting with industry colleagues and friends, and
identifying new opportunities.
“Every year EBACE proves to be a productive endeavor for
our company,” said Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing, commenting
on the optimism of the event. “We are able to take advantage of the
access to many other aviation companies that Geneva affords us
because of its proximity to Europe, Asia and Africa. This year’s show
was noticeably different because each day of the event was surrounded
by energy and excitement for the future. While it’s still too early to tell
how 2018 will end, if EBACE is any indication of things to come, then
we should finish the year in a good place.”
Organizers said the show, once again, served as a powerful
and forward-looking showcase, reinforcing its reputation as the
industry’s most important event in Europe. EBACE is jointly hosted by
the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European
Business Aviation Association (EBAA).
The busy three-day event featured 418 exhibitors, many of
which used the opportunity to announce new aircraft, products and
services with press conferences and media events throughout the
week. This was an overall increase from last year’s event, as EBACE
welcomed numerous first-time exhibitors from over 100 different
countries. The event had a sold-out static display that featured 54
aircraft on the Geneva Airport’s ramps. Attendees got to see a variety
A
of aircraft, including intercontinental jets, turboprop and
piston aircraft, and helicopters.
In addition to the upbeat and positive atmosphere,
EBACE featured numerous informative sessions that
homed in on the future of the business aviation industry.
The event also hosted the second annual Careers in
Business Aviation Day, which introduced more than
250 students from high schools and universities across
Europe to the broad range of potential business aviation
career paths.
EBACE will return to Geneva May 21-23, 2019,
and Meridian is again planning to exhibit. We are already
looking forward to seeing you there!
On June 21, Meridian exhibited at the National
Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Regional Forum in
White Plains, NY, held at the Westchester County Airport
(HPN). In addition to hosting a 10’ x 10’ display stand, the
company sent 15 employees to meet and greet visitors.
Kirk Stephen, Director of Marketing, said, “This Regional
Forum is the premier event for business aviation in the
Northeast because it provides a great venue for vendors,
customers and prospects to come together under one
roof and conduct business face-to-face. There are so
many attendees at this show, that it really creates a
unique networking opportunity for everyone. This is a
must-attend event for us.”
According to NBAA, the event demonstrated a
growing confidence of the industry, which was reflected in
the Forum’s numbers. 190 exhibitors and 2,700 attendees
were on-hand, along with a variety of aircraft ranging
from single-engine piston-powered models to intercontinental
business jets. “The energy and enthusiasm for
business aviation was evident at this year’s White Plains
Regional Forum,” said Mike Nichols, NBAA’s Vice President
of Operational Excellence and Professional Development.
“Exhibitors conducted significant business, attendees
gained valuable insights from the education session
content, and the mood projected a positive outlook for
the industry.”
The prior evening, Meridian and Fontainebleau
Aviation co-sponsored a bus trip to Yankee Stadium for
aviation colleagues attending the Forum. On the bus,
guests were all given judge wigs to show their support
B. Meridian made a strong showing at the NBAA Regional Forum in
San Jose, California, on September 6 with team members from both
the Hayward and Teterboro locations.
B