We returned from EBACE 18 a week or so ago and now that we’ve had time to catch our breath we thought we’d share some of our experience with you as you may be considering attendance at EBACE 19. We were pleased to have our own story featured in EBAN’s show issue and amazed at the many stories our industry has to tell. The show itself was a sight (and site) to behold. Held at the Palexpo adjacent to Geneva’s airport, we were given an excellent perspective on the business of flight in Europe.
Here are 3 things that stood out to us:
- Effective conversations that move your business ahead.
There was an audible buzz in the air everywhere at the show. The dull roar of thousands of voices filled the Palexpo space throughout the entire event. Meetings were being held wherever two or more people could stand or sit – in hallways, at coffee stands, in exhibitor booths, or even while walking (or running) to the next meeting. It was crystal clear to us that our industry was there to do business, this was no holiday.
Every type of conversation you could imagine was actively taking place from the moment the show opened to after it closed. Scheduled and unscheduled meetings had people constantly on the move and on their smart phones working to make things happen. Many discussions were based on short term needs while others were investigating long term opportunities. Some were negotiating fuel price and delivery, others were looking for partners to manage their aircraft, and still others were examining the impact future technology will have on our business.
- The mind boggling expanse of the business of flight.
Just walking around the show was an education in itself. The number of businesses, products and services that the business of flight supports was visibly staggering. Whatever your interest or need, be it equipment, technology, fabric, design, fuel, operations, crew, parts, engines…even glass repair – it and anything else you could imagine was there.
The halls of the show were filled with both buyers and sellers from all over the world. Each with an agenda and plan leading them to seek out the people who could help them most. And that too is an important observation; while the show by nature has a very mechanical, physical feel, it’s clearly the people and the relationships that drive our business. We watched as individuals and groups leveraged old relationships and built new ones with the goal of improving their businesses.
- Swiss efficiency and organization.
This will probably come as no surprise, but the Swiss know how to make things run. Hotels were accessible, transport always available and easy to locate and information about the show always ready with multiple staff to assist.
When away from the Palexpo, the Geneva transit system was smooth and efficient and rarely took more than a few minutes to get you downtown or to your hotel. Cabs were good too, but often not required especially since the hotels provide a transit pass while you are staying with them.
If you did have some time to spare, Geneva is a beautiful place to walk around. Clean and pretty with so many interesting shops and restaurants. However, we experienced firsthand that one can easily get lost in the steep, meandering corridors of Old Town Geneva so take good walking shoes!