NBAA-BACE 2026 is drawing nearly a full lineup of legacy business aircraft manufacturers, plus many of the newer companies, as a comprehensive program begins to take shape for the association’s hallmark event to be held October 20 to 22 in Las Vegas.
NBAA is bringing back some of the features added in recent years, and it continues to evolve as the association works to keep the annual event not only relevant in what has become a tough environment for conventions in general but also abreast of an industry rapidly changing.
“In business aviation, we’re not waiting for the future; we’re building it,” maintained NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “The industry is moving at Mach speed, and there’s only one place where you’ll be at the center of all the advanced aircraft and game-changing solutions pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Importantly, most of the major manufacturers—including Boeing Business Jets, Bombardier, Daher, Dassault, Gulfstream, Honda Aircraft, Piaggio Aero, Pilatus, Piper, Robinson Helicopter, and Textron Aviation—have committed to returning to the static display at Henderson Executive Airport, providing an anchor for the three-day event. Others include SyberJet, which is pushing forward with the SJ36 light-jet program, and light aircraft manufacturer Aviat. Absent from this year’s list at this point are Embraer and Airbus Corporate Jets.
Inside the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, the floor appears mostly sold out, with exhibitors ranging from engine manufacturers and major avionics suppliers to a range of other equipment and service providers.
NBAA is debuting the Horizon Stage on the show floor for its headline speakers, who will include Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, recipient of this year’s NBAA Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, and global business leader Ross Perot Jr., among others.
In addition, the Washington, D.C.-based organization is bringing back Flight Deck as a forum for interactive discussion on technological, regulatory, market, and workforce issues.
Recognizing the popularity of its educational sessions, NBAA has organized more than 70 of them to encompass nearly every professional role and discipline across the industry. It has also developed a Maintenance Track that will provide for Inspection Authorization renewal credit. The track will include a Gulfstream Operator Forum.
In addition, NBAA-BACE continues to build upon its Career Zone, with career coaching, group discussions, scholarship information, resume audits, headshots, and workshops.
Also returning are a Military Connect meetup and a meet-and-greet event with the 2026 class of the NBAA Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40. Military Connect will be a fuller program to help provide transitioning veterans with a pathway into business aviation, with sessions on cultural shift as well as building veterans’ resumes and organizations to support them.
Creator Studio is further returning to the entryway atrium to provide meetups for podcast personalities, digital influencers, and content producers.
NBAA expects to reveal further highlights and additional features in the coming weeks.