NBAA Kicks Off 2023 With Record-Breaking Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference

The new year started off strong for the business aviation community, as the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2023 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2023) broke attendance records, offered abundant opportunities for education and networking and showcased the momentum driving the industry.

The 2023 edition of the event featured more than 460 exhibit booths, and in excess of 3,400 attendees, including more than 350 first-time attendees. This year’s conference, which was themed, “Community, connections and a little bit country,” featured more than 30 education sessions, including Professional Development Program courses, covering a wide range of the industry’s most pressing issues.

“SDC2023 was an incredible, record-breaking event, but it’s about so much more than the numbers, it’s about the people,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This is a group that’s very passionate. They are committed to coming together, giving back to the community and moving the industry forward, and the way they do that as part of this event is inspiring.”

SDC2023 Co-Chairs Megan Knox, CAM, and Adam Hartley agreed the show exceeded expectations by every measure.

“It’s been a fantastic event,” said Knox. “The keynote was amazing; the education sessions were standing room only in many cases and the show floor has been buzzing. The attendees are engaged and interested in doing everything the show has to offer.”

Hartley added, “We really have to thank our committee for its critical role in organizing a world-class event. We tip our hat to them, and we know that, thanks to their outstanding work, we can look forward to an even more ambitious SDC experience in the years to come.”

Dynamic Keynote Session

The SDC2023 keynote session opened with a mini-concert featuring Grammy-winning songwriter Josh Kear, then continued with a motivating story of finding the courage to achieve your dreams by United States Air Force combat veteran and former Thunderbird Lead Solo Michelle “Mace” Curran.

“Putting ourselves out there can be terrifying, but I promise you the cost of stagnating because of that fear outweighs the feeling of vulnerability,” she said in sharing stories about her career and how putting fear behind her eventually led to more personal and professional happiness.

“There will be days of uncertainty, but you can be bold and brave,” Curran added. “It will help you create deeper connections and a stronger community, and you will be unstoppable.”

Read more about the SDC2023 keynote session.

Giving Back to the Conference’s Host City

Prior to the official opening of SDC2023, about 30 attendees took time to volunteer at Nashville-based Thistle Farms, which for 25 years has provided a path of healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction.

SDC volunteers helped make products for the organization to sell in its store, with profits going toward helping the Thistle Farms mission. Read more about the SDC Day of Service.

A New Certificate Introduced to Recognize Professional Leadership

Just ahead of SDC2023, NBAA unveiled its new Business Aircraft Scheduler Certificate Program, an assessment-based credential developed in collaboration with Part 91 scheduler subject matter experts and Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. to recognize leadership in the profession.

Learn more about the Business Aircraft Scheduler Certificate and sign up for program announcements.

SDC2023 Honors

During the keynote, longtime business aviation scheduler Spring Adamo was presented with the Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award. Adamo serves as flight logistics lead at FirstEnergy, where she manages flight logistics, including scheduling, safety, security and personnel. Read more about Adamo.

Also recognized were the SDC scholarship recipients and sponsors.

Learn more about the Schedulers & Dispatchers Training Scholarships.

Learn more about the Schedulers & Dispatchers Scholarship Awards.

Next year’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference takes place March 12-15, 2024, in Fort Worth, TX.