- EBACE 2025, shifts from aircraft displays to high-value networking and innovation.
- The event features reimagined spaces with meeting pods and lounges to foster purposeful industry connections.
- Under EBAA’s sole stewardship, EBACE aims to redefine business aviation through dialogue and inclusivity.
The winds of change are sweeping through Geneva as EBACE 2025, to be held between May 20-22 in the city, prepares to unveil its most radical transformation yet. Gone are the days when the event was defined by the roar of jet engines and the gleaming hulls of private aircraft lining the tarmac. Instead, this year’s edition—now fully under the stewardship of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) — marks a decisive shift toward high-value networking, cutting-edge insights, and actionable intelligence.
One thing is clear, EBACE isn’t just changing its format—it’s redefining its role in shaping the future of flight.
For the first time in its history, EBACE will forego its iconic static aircraft display, a move which industry watchers claim signals a fundamental rethinking of how the industry connects. Rather than serving as a showcase for hardware, the 2025 edition will double down on ideas, relationships, and innovation. The Palexpo exhibition hall will be reimagined with dedicated networking lounges, intimate meeting pods, and expanded catering zones, transforming the space into a dynamic hub for deal-making and collaboration.
According to the EBAA claims, this isn’t just about removing planes; it’s about elevating the attendee experience and that the EBACE experience will present a noticeably different feel right from the moment visitors enter. Further, this transformation will extend to numerous other aspects of the event as well. Free-to-use meeting pods will allow for spontaneous discussions, while curated networking sessions will connect CEOs, regulators, and disruptors more consciously. The goal? To ensure that every conversation at EBACE 2025 has a purpose, whether it’s brokering a partnership, dissecting a regulatory challenge, or exploring the next big technological leap.
Since its launch, EBAA has organised EBACE with its US counterpart, the National Business Aviation Association, which is behind the larger Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (BACE) held each year in Las Vegas.
Following the previous year’s announcement that the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) would be parting ways in the organisation of the annual EBACE private aviation show, Holger Krahmer, Secretary General, EBAA, had offered his perspective on the event’s future direction.
Speaking to media persons, Krahmer stated, “The future of EBACE is unequivocally a purely European affair; everything is in a state of transformation. “We at EBAA are embarking on a new and dynamic process to shape a revitalised show.”
In his remarks, Krahmer emphasised his belief that this separation from their joint venture partner presents a significant opportunity for the Geneva-based event to evolve and forge a new identity.
The EBACE trade show, a fixture since 2001 with the NBAA’s long-standing involvement, was initially envisioned as a platform where potential buyers could directly examine new aircraft. The expansive static display of aircraft at Geneva Airport had long been a hallmark of EBACE, a key attraction thanks to its convenient accessibility directly from the Palexpo convention centre and the picturesque backdrop of the Jura mountains. This ease of access has traditionally set EBACE apart from the NBAA’s annual BACE show in Las Vegas and other US locations, where attendees often face the inconvenience of travelling to a separate, remote airport location to view the static aircraft displays.
However, EBACE had come under criticism for the high costs of exhibiting aircraft at Geneva airport, particularly after the return to live events following the pandemic. Several prominent manufacturers did not participate in last year’s edition, including Bombardier and Gulfstream.
Even the 2023 edition of EBACE witnessed an unforeseen disruption when environmental protestors breached security, causing damage to at least one aircraft on display. Consequently, for the upcoming event, exhibiting companies will be unable to showcase aircraft within the convention centre itself.
The dynamics of the market have now shifted. Aircraft manufacturers have increasingly adopted a strategy of taking their demonstration fleets directly to prospective customers. This evolution has meant that the primary focus of EBACE has gradually transitioned towards becoming a crucial arena for industry-centric discussions, fostering dialogue and connections between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), their suppliers, and their clientele.
Since August 2024, following EBAA’s acquisition of full control over EBACE from its former partnership with the NBAA, the association has been keenly focused on engaging with the industry to reinforce the value proposition for exhibitors at their trade shows. This concentrated effort has directly addressed prevailing concerns within the sector, notably the considerable expenses associated with attending the event in Geneva and the costs involved in setting up displays. Acknowledging these challenges, the EBAA has framed 2025 as a pivotal transitional year for the show, signalling a period of adaptation and evolution in response to industry feedback.
It may be mentioned that the window for initial bookings for exhibitors closed on January 17 this year. EBAA also unveiled a significantly refreshed floor plan for the upcoming EBACE. This reimagined layout introduces a new, centrally positioned registration area, alongside the creation of three dedicated conference theatres and five distinct networking lounges. The redesigned show floor prioritises ease of navigation and is strategically crafted to maximise the flow of visitors to exhibitor booths, aiming to create a more dynamic and engaging experience for all attendees.
Experts claim that companies showcasing their aircraft and services at the revamped EBACE can anticipate establishing direct connections with a diverse range of influential individuals involved in purchasing decisions. While the event is expected to attract high-net-worth individuals as always, the dynamics of aircraft acquisition are evolving. A broader spectrum of key stakeholders now plays a crucial role in the process leading to a sale, including pilots who offer operational insights, finance executives who manage budgets, family office personnel who oversee assets, and legal counsel who handle contracts. This means exhibitors can expect to engage with a more comprehensive group of decision-makers, all directly contributing to the final purchase.
Beyond the essential business aspects, EBACE provides a crucial forum for Europe’s leading business aviation community to disseminate vital updates to its members concerning the ongoing complexities of the regulatory landscape. The EBAA is working closely with EASA to facilitate direct dialogue with industry leaders, many of whom frequently express concerns about regulations they perceive as ill-suited, having been primarily developed with the operational realities of scheduled airlines in mind.
Looking ahead, observers claim that a key focus is to inject palpable excitement into the EBACE experience. Organisers are committed to ensuring visitors are immediately captivated and find ample opportunities for insightful discussions with the most relevant individuals in the industry. The EBAA believes that integrating initiatives like Air Ops within EBACE will create more inclusive opportunities for professionals across all levels of the business aviation sector to actively participate. Furthermore, the event will be strategically structured to ensure that even those with limited time can make single-day visits to Geneva worthwhile and highly productive.
Recognising the importance of its exhibitors, the EBAA, in collaboration with its events partner MCI, has formed an Exhibitor Council. This council serves as a dedicated platform to foster open dialogue and gather feedback on the preferences of the companies that are crucial to the event’s success. In response to this engagement, greater flexibility is being implemented for exhibitors. This includes offering options tailored to aircraft manufacturers who may wish to reduce costs by concentrating solely on the prominent static display, as well as providing opportunities to showcase a more diverse range of their offerings.
As May 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on Geneva to see whether this ambitious reinvention pays off. If successful, EBACE could become a blueprint for how aviation expos evolve in the years to come—less about what’s parked on the runway and more about who’s in the room, what they’re talking about, and how they’re shaping the skies ahead.
