NBAA-BACE 2025: The Buyers Are Back, and So Is the Energy

This year marked my 12th time attending NBAA-BACE, but without question, it was the most enjoyable, productive, and energizing event of my career in business aviation.

The tone was set early during the opening keynote, when Steuart Walton received NBAA’s Meritorious Service Award. His remarks were a powerful reminder of the importance of community in aviation — that this industry has always thrived because of people who never stop looking up. Then Dierks Bentley stepped on stage and captured exactly why so many of us love what we do: “We don’t have to do this work — we GET to.” We get to fly airplanes, operate them, build them, maintain them, and sell them. We get to deliver something extraordinary — a time machine — one that lets people like Dierks perform in front of thousands, connect with their band in flight, and still make it home for breakfast with their kids the next morning. I never want to take for granted how awesome — and meaningful — this industry truly is.

One of the highlights for me was the Newsmakers Lunch celebrating this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees. During this luncheon, industry icon Sheryl Barden was honored with the John P. “Jack” Doswell Award and delivered a message that resonated deeply: “Business aviation isn’t just about airplanes — it’s about people.” That truth echoed throughout the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center all week. BACE unites us. It connects, celebrates, educates, and propels our industry forward. It truly is — as promised — the world’s most powerful business aviation event.

Over the last year, NBAA has worked hard to refresh and re-energize this show. For those who have speculated that BACE had become an industry-only event — let me be very clear: the buyers are back.

The jetAVIVA team came ready, and the energy was electric. Each member of our sales team reported meaningful client meetings, active buyers and sellers, productive conversations with flight departments and maintenance directors, and — most importantly — real momentum. Deals advanced. Listings were won. Partnerships were formed.

Our presence under the IADA and AircraftExchange banner at the Convention Center was another point of pride. The IADA booth continues to serve as a hub for deal makers — a place where the world’s only accredited dealers and verified product and service providers come together to elevate our industry.

I was honored to speak on a panel at The Flight Deck, but it was what happened after the panel that reminded me why I love this industry. Attendees stayed not just to shake hands, but to exchange ideas, share dreams, and ask meaningful questions about breaking into — or growing within — business aviation. Those conversations were authentic, energizing, and full of purpose.

That’s what BACE 2025 was all about: connection, belonging, growth, and a shared passion for what we GET to do every day. Until next year – let’s keep looking up!