Appleby's dedicated aviation team will again be attending the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva from 19 to 21 May, Europe's largest and most important business aviation trade show.

Jointly hosted by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the leading association for business aviation in Europe, and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the leading voice for the business aviation industry in the United States, the event is held annually at Geneva's Palexpo conference centre, showcasing hundreds of exhibiting companies and a static display of nearly 60 aircraft - including nearly every major business aircraft design in current production.

WHO ATTENDS AND WHY?

Last year's show was the biggest year yet for EBACE, with more than 13,000 attendees and over 450 exhibitor booths filling the largest exhibition footprint in the event's 14-year history, and 2015 is set to be no different.

During the three-day event, new business aircraft manufacturers, avionics firms, handling organisations, charter/lease companies and aircraft resellers will display their latest products and services, meet with new and existing customers, their professional advisors and get critical business done for the year ahead.

Although EBACE is the only major European event focused solely on business aviation, attendees come from as far as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and North and South America.

Based on data from EBACE 2014*, the following statistics highlight what can be expected of attendees at EBACE:

  • 79% have an influence on the purchasing process
  • 76% may consider purchasing one or more products/services within the next 12 months
  • Represent nearly 100 countries from around the world
  • Spend an average of 10.2 hours at the exhibits over 2 days

EBACE also provides a prominent platform for manufacturers and operators to announce their latest news, ensuring a strong media presence and coverage.

In addition to the obvious networking and promotional benefits for firms in attendance, the EBACE program schedule provides education sessions focussing on issues of importance to companies operating business aircraft in Europe, including the changing European operating environment, safety management systems, security requirements, airport and transatlantic access issues.

The education program includes a "State of the Industry" update from a number of high profile speakers which will this year be moderated by Charles Alcock of leading aviation publication AIN Online. Early indications show there has been a surge for the first time in three years in demand for business aviation in Europe. The sector seems now to have weathered the worst of the storm and can look at the 2015 and beyond with optimism. However, the seminar will examine this optimism, against the aftermath of the Ukrainian crisis which is still strongly felt in a number of Central and Eastern European economies, and the fact that some parts of Europe could slide back into recession. Economists and other specialist speakers will do their best to predict trends for the aviation sector for 2015 and beyond.

APPLEBY AVIATION

Appleby will be among the exhibitors at EBACE for a fifth consecutive year represented by Director of Operations, Brian Johnson and members of the Appleby Aviation Team from the group's Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man offices.

Our delegates will be drawn from both the legal and fiduciary arms of the Appleby group and will be available at our stand to provide details of the services available from Appleby Aviation.

Appleby is located in the world's leading offshore financial centres of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Each of these jurisdictions enjoys an impeccable reputation founded on responsible regulatory regimes with which financiers are both familiar and comfortable. In addition to our offshore locations, our offices in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai provide real time access for financial institutions and borrowers to conduct transactions with offshore entities.

These offshore jurisdictions, in particular, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man, and most recently Guernsey and soon Jersey, are popular domiciles of choice for financing and/or registering private aircraft, and in the case of Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, both private and commercial aircraft.

Our Aviation team represents airlines and aircraft operators, finance and operating lessors, transaction arrangers, leading financial institutions and export credit agencies, servicing the aviation industry as well as private owners. Our relationship with leading onshore firms and local regulators is unrivalled, which means our clients get a truly cohesive approach and our track record has been recognised by Chambers and Legal 500 legal directories.

*figures taken from the official EBACE website.

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