Robert Baltus, chief operations officer at the EBAA, explains the changes attendees will see at this year’s EBACE, while exhibitors share some of the product and service developments they will highlight. EBACE 2025 will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 20-22 May.
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has been involved as one of the co-organisers of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), for more than 20 years, but last year purchased the NBAA’s interest in it and took full control of the event.
Robert Baltus, the EBAA’s chief operations officer, who looks after regulatory matters as well as events, explains that the NBAA was doing most of the organising work, with the EBAA more on the conference side. “We have a lot of ideas,” he shares. “Landscapes change. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to completely re-evaluate what we’re doing. We want to really make sure that show stays relevant and more aimed at the European market.”
This year’s show will be somewhat of a building block for future editions as the EBAA works in new ideas, including in response to feedback, to maximise value for exhibitors and attendees.
Baltus says the transition will take at least a year or two. “For this year, because we’ve just taken over the show, we’ve retained a company to help us, one of the biggest show organisers in the world,” he says.
The most vital change is a bigger focus on networking, Baltus says: “You can generally get all the information online, so networking is becoming the most important part of any tradeshow. You need to help people connect and have locations where they can meet.”
Networking lounges
Thus, the 2025 show has five networking lounges, as well as free-to-use pods (for groups of two and four), integrated into its re-imagined floorplan. There will also be an opening event; a targeted meet-up programme; improved catering provision; and three theatres for the conference programme. One of the theatres will be news-focussed, run by Flight Global. Another will be for the Airops conference, integrated at EBACE for the first time. The third will focus on innovation and sustainability, including topical sessions where the EBAA wants to engage a lot of other industry associations.
With the EBAA deciding to focus more on nailing the networking, there will be no static display in this transitional year. “We want 2025 to be really exciting, to give a different feel, and 2026 is where we really want the show to be,” says Baltus.
The static is “absolutely” likely to feature in future events, Baltus shares, but there are discussions around the frequency, location, chalets, and generally how it’s implemented. “The one thing people miss at the moment in Geneva is that you cannot walk to the static,” he adds. “Is there a way to do that? For now, it’s a no-go.”
VVIP customers
One aspect the EBAA wants to address is the experience of VVIP customers visiting the static. “That’s something we’re putting a lot of attention on, making sure that they feel really at home at the show,” says Baltus. “There are plenty of ideas, from dedicated sub events to a separate entrance, but we haven’t finalised any of those.”
Baltus shares that the industry has been very forthcoming with feedback as the EBAA evaluates its plans for 2026 and beyond. It has been working with a strategic agency for a few years, and is using that information, as well as talking to members at events such as the European Business Aviation Summit, and through a group where it engages with OEMs for example.
Location, location, location
Questions include if the event should stay in Geneva, and if there should be extra events for certain groups. Value for money is a perennial theme. “If you get enough value out of it, it technically is not expensive,” says Baltus.
He adds that Geneva is fairly cheap to fly to, and hotel costs can be minimised by booking early, through the event website. “If you start to narrow it down, there’s not many places you can go,” he says. “You want a safe location; somewhere high-net-worth individuals like to go; excellent connections by air; a place where the static and a nice indoor facility are not too far away.”
Could more be done for the interiors sector? Baltus says the conference may be the place to explore that. He discounts the possibility of grouping exhibitors by category, as lots don’t want to be next to their competitors.
The EBAA is aiming for 7,000 to 8,000 attendees this year. Baltus adds: “It’s all about getting the right people to attend, and that looks really promising.”
The EBAA is a not-for-profit organisation, meaning all EBACE proceeds are to be reinvested back into its advocacy work for the industry.
Some exhibitors on the product and service developments they will highlight…
Leather panels
Aeristo will highlight its leather panel offering. These can be crafted with custom prints, embroidery, embossing or one-off solutions.
The leather specialist applies its experience to size large panels precisely, factoring in shrinkage from embroidery. Every piece is engineered to fit seamlessly into the space. Whether clients have a vision in mind or need inspiration, the company offers both free-form, organic designs, and highly technical patterns developed through CAD programs.
Lighting collaborator
Visitors to the booth of Aircraft Lighting International (ALI) can learn about its business aviation lighting solutions.
The company has welcomed a new addition to the team, Brian Bement. He is a seasoned aviation professional with extensive experience in business, defence and commercial aviation.
A former naval aviator who flew A-4 Skyhawks and EA-6B Prowlers, Bement transitioned into the private sector, holding executive roles in aerospace manufacturing, business development, distribution, and finance, all while maintaining corporate piloting responsibilities.
At ALI, Bement is tasked with leveraging his industry knowledge to drive innovation and growth in business aviation – attending tradeshows and engaging with industry leaders to identify emerging opportunities and foster strategic collaborations to enhance lighting solutions for the sector.
Printed leather
Adding to its capability to create any colour and finish on leather, the Sovos tannery has announced the ability to print customers’ own designs on the hide. This technique, and the quality of its leather, will be showcased at the company’s stand in the France pavilion.
The technique has been developed locally and because the company produces on demand, any leather can be personalised. The printed template can be up to 160 x 80cm.
Internally, Sovos has carried out many tests to guarantee the resistance of the print to rubbing. The company shares it can monitor digital files to ensure the highest quality output from graphics software. For EBACE it has specially printed a large skin template to show the technique. Samples are available. The design chosen will be revealed at the show.
AV and data distribution
Innovative Advantage, a supplier of the AVDS audio, video and data distribution backbone system for business aircraft, will present its new 4-Slot AVDS Node.
Recently launched at AEA, the 4-Slot AVDS expands the existing 8-Slot AVDS cabin backbone to make it also accessible to mid-size aircraft and offer custom, standalone solutions where unique input/output (I/O) configurations are needed.
The new solution provides aircraft with a compact, modular, fibre-optic backbone with multiple CMS/IFE card configurations with more than 20 cards, including Ethernet ports, digital and analogue audio, HDMI inputs, fibre I/O, video conversion, video encoding/decoding, support for video-gaming systems, and more.
Innovative Advantage has designed 4-Slot AVDS to provide studio-quality audio and video with no lip-sync or latency issues. Some of the video upgrade capabilities include SD, HD and 4K, stereo, surround and encoded audio.
The solution was also designed to offer the benefits of modularity, scalability and a light weight, reducing cabling and providing video, audio and data on fibre backbone. This allows upgrades such as Bluetooth, HDMI ports and streaming without touching the existing CMS. Additional features include input and control of carry-on devices via CEC; the ability to pause connected COTS devices on PA; and the ability to control the volume with an Apple TV remote.
The 4-Slot AVDS solution is available immediately for forward-fit and aftermarket upgrades. Customers can update the cabin without throwing the nodes away or installing a new system, just by updating the cards installed to add the desired new functionality.
Completion services
Members of Greenpoint Technologies’ sales, design and customer engineering teams will be available throughout the show to collaborate on upcoming opportunities and discuss ongoing and future VIP and head-of-state aircraft completion projects.
The company is currently completing two BBJ 787-9 VVIP interior outfitting projects, working on multiple government programmes, and expanding its maintenance and modification services for BBJ 787 VIP clients and operators.
Greenpoint’s latest interior concept, Oasis (pictured), was recently shortlisted for the International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2025. Designed for the BBJ 777-9, Oasis is intended as a serene sanctuary. Inspired by nature, the concept features an open-concept layout with organic textures, panoramic OLED walls, and multifunctional living spaces designed to blend technology with tranquillity. Details range from the spa-like Primary Suite to integrated smart features.
Greenpoint welcomes the opportunity to discuss how its expertise in VIP completions, design and maintenance can support the evolving needs of private and government aircraft operators.
Connectivity portfolio
Following the recent transaction bringing together Gogo Business Aviation and Satcom Direct, the merged companies will make their EBACE debut as a single entity, Gogo. The firm will highlight its global, multi-orbit, multi-band business aviation connectivity solutions.
The software, hardware and infrastructure portfolio is purpose-built to meet the sector’s specific requirements. Customers can source tailored connectivity for every size of aircraft from a single source. Offerings include the Gogo Biz North American ATG network; Gogo Galileo phased-array HDX and FDX antennas and full connectivity eco-system including the Plane Simple terminal series; software-as-a-service applications; and flight deck connectivity solutions.
The network-agnostic technology is accruing STCs to ensure customers can acquire, manage, upgrade and troubleshoot all their connectivity services with a single phone call.
This feature was first published in the March/April 2025 edition of Business Jet Interiors International. Click here to read the article.
