Both the 2021 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) and the Asian Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (ABACE) have been cancelled. EBACE will be replaced with a virtual event on the same dates but ABACE will not happen again until 2022.
The virtual EBACE will run from 18 to 20 May 2021, with the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) behind it.
The two associations said they will seek other opportunities to jointly promote business aviation excellence throughout the coming year.
“This continues to be a very challenging situation, and the health and well-being of our attendees and exhibitors remains our highest priority,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
EBAA Secretary-General Athar Husain Khan added, “Although vaccination programs are ramping up, we are still in unchartered waters. We felt that, in May 2021, the safety of our exhibitors and attendees could not be guaranteed in the traditional EBACE format.”
Exhibitors already signed up for participation in EBACE2021 will hear shortly from the EBACE exhibits team.
ABACE 2020 was scheduled to take place in Shanghai from 21-23 April. 2021.
In announcing the decision to cancel, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “ABACE has always been more than an industry trade show – it is a platform for building business aviation in China, throughout Asia and around the world.
“NBAA and the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) have an extraordinarily strong partnership, having worked closely together for nearly a decade, to build ABACE into one of the world’s truly great aviation events.
“Our organizations have always viewed participating exhibitors, attendees and government leaders as partners, and as with all NBAA events, their health, safety and security is always our highest priority.
“We will focus on making ABACE 2021 the best edition yet, and continuing its critical role in promoting business aviation in China, across Asia and around the world.
“We look forward to building on our relationships with the SAA, our host FBO Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre and our peers with the Asian Business Aviation Association in producing ABACE, ensuring the show’s continued success for business aviation across the globe.”
ABACE 2021 was scheduled to take place from 13-15 April 2021.