Wichitans upbeat about business aviation show

Area economic development officials and small business leaders were upbeat Wednesday about activity and interest on the second day of the National Business Aviation Association Convention & Exhibition.

David Bossemeyer, vice president of business development for the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition, said “it’s the healthiest show I’ve seen in at least four years.”

“And everybody I talk to says the same thing,” Bossemeyer added.

Jim Harlow, president of Harlow Aerostructures, said the show was proving its worth to his company, through contacts with a number of potential overseas customers.

This year’s show, which runs through Thursday, has seen increases in the number of exhibitors and attendees – 1,100 and 26,000, respectively – said Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO.

“To me, (the show) continues to build on the momentum we began to see two years ago,” Bolen said. “… People’s expectations are not only being met, but exceeded.”

At least 35 companies from the area are exhibiting at this year’s NBAA, either on their own, through their parent companies or as part of a 30-foot-by-30-foot Wichita booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center organized by GWEDC.

Tim Bonnell, senior vice president and director of aviation for insurance broker IMA, said this year is the first time IMA has participated in the Wichita booth.

Bonnell said that because IMA is one of several aviation and non-aviation companies located at the Wichita booth, it has given his company exposure to potential new customers for IMA’s aviation insurance offerings.

“Because we’re here, we get to rub shoulders with them,” Bonnell said.

Bonnell, who has been attending NBAA since 1978 as an aviation insurance broker for someone else as well as the owner of a brokerage, said it’s a necessity for any aviation firm to attend NBAA.

“If you’re in the aviation business and you want to be relevant, you have to be here,” he said.

Troy Palmer is president and CEO of Global Parts, based in Augusta. So far, he said, business activity for his company at this year’s show seems to be strong.

“Things are really good in the GA (general aviation) area,” Palmer said. “We’ve had some good opportunities” at NBAA.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Wichitans upbeat about business aviation show."