NBAA Introduces ‘Flight Deck’: Where Big Topics Are Discussed by Top People in an All-New, Interactive Setting

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Organizers of the world’s most powerful business aviation event have unveiled plans for an exclusive new panel-and-discussion series that will gather some of the industry’s most prominent figures and experts for their compelling perspectives on the hottest topics in a distinctive, interactive environment.

The panel series will feature CEOs, top government and industry executives and other big-picture thinkers in the new Flight Deck, located on the exhibit floor at the 2024 National Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. The bespoke discussion series will run during the show’s first two days, Oct. 22 and 23.

“In aviation, the flight deck is known to be an interactive, elevated space where important information is shared to guide analytical thinking and critical decision-making,’’ said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “In a similar way, the new NBAA-BACE Flight Deck will put a spotlight on the intersection of leadership, technology and the operating environment.”

Flight Deck sessions will be moderated by top journalists, respected analysts and other thought leaders skilled at getting to the heart of what’s important in the consideration of complex issues. The discussion sessions will showcase panelists who are pioneering game-changing technologies, creating new business models, developing the policies that impact every aspect of aviation, changing the very definition of on-demand flight and imagining the opportunities on new horizons.

“Best of all, the sessions are designed to inform, inspire and engage through idea sharing among panelists and the audience,” Bolen added. “We are focused on ensuring participants have new insights and relationships that will accelerate their impact and organizational growth.”

The new NBAA-BACE Flight Deck, open to all show attendees, will be located at the W4 entrance inside the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall, adjacent to the Emerging Tech Pavilion. Refreshments, meeting spaces and connectivity pods will all be available at the venue.

Bolen previewed a sampling of themes in focus for the Flight Deck sessions, including:

  • Forecasts from preeminent market analysts that will offer a look at the industry’s near- and long-term future.

  • Perspectives from tech experts on the thrilling potential for technologies like artificial intelligence, as well as developments in areas including flight-tracking.

  • Top government officials’ views on the evolving regulatory landscape for business aviation.

  • Insights from sustainability leaders who are driving the industry’s mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.  

The following speakers have already been confirmed as NBAA-BACE Flight Deck panelists; a full schedule of sessions can be found on the 2024 NBAA-BACE website.

  • Richard Aboulafia, Managing Director, AeroDynamic Advisory

  • Tim Arel, COO, FAA Air Traffic Organization

  • Daniel Baker, Founder, FlightAware

  • Julie Boatman, Former Editor in Chief, FLYING; President, JulietBravoFox Media

  • Dr. Yemaya Bordain, President of Americas, Dadalean AI

  • David Boulter, Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, FAA

  • Jon Damush, President and CEO, uAvionix Corporation

  • Emily Deaton, CEO, jetAVIVA

  • Don Dwyer, Co-Managing Partner, Guardian Jet

  • Ronald Epstein, Managing Director, Aerospace & Defense, Bank of America Global Research

  • Brian Foley, Founder, Brian Foley Associates

  • Paul Fontaine, Assistant Administrator for NextGen, FAA

  • Mark Groden, CEO, Skyryse

  • Brad Harris, President and CEO, Dallas Jet International

  • Robin Reidel, Partner, Co-leader, Center for Future Mobility, McKinsey & Company

  • Robert Rose, Founder and CEO, Reliable Robotics

  • John Sullivan, Managing Partner, Welsh Sullivan Group, LLC

  • Steve Varsano, Founder, The Jet Business

  • Rolland Vincent, President, Rolland Vincent Associates

  • Tyson Weihs, Co-Founder, ForeFlight

The NBAA-BACE Flight Deck will also feature exhibitor-hosted thought leadership presentations highlighting a range of forward-looking topics and technologies from Avinode, Electra.aero, Joby and Lilium.

NBAA-BACE, taking place Oct. 22-24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND), is the world’s most powerful business aviation event. Learn more about NBAA-BACE.