NBAA 2024: Flying to Las Vegas
This year, the NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) joined STG Aerospace's events calendar. From 22 to 24 October we joined our parent company, Heads Up Technologies and sister company ALTO Aviation in Las Vegas.
As a Group, we were excited to showcase our individual expertise and NBAA-BACE presented a unique opportunity to focus on how we collaborate to offer a full package of products that enhance cabin interiors and improve the passenger experience for business aviation.
This year, Kate Williams, STG’s Global Marketing Manager, attended, so we sat down with her after the event to discuss the key themes.
What is NBAA-BACE and why is it important?
The NBAA-BACE event is a key focus for the business aviation industry. It showcases the latest aircraft, technologies, and services, while providing opportunities for networking and learning about the latest industry trends. Compared to other events in our calendar, NBAA looks slightly different in terms of attendees. In addition to suppliers, manufacturers and MRO’s, there are many pilots and business jet owners at the event.
Speaking of attending, Kate said:
“NBAA was an exciting prospect for us because it brings together the key players in the business aviation industry. It was a platform to showcase our latest innovations, like The Curve flexible LED light, which launched last year, and also to demonstrate how our collective Group capabilities deliver forward thinking solutions. The event also allowed us to engage directly with customers, understand their needs, and to explore how we can continue to support the evolving market.”
What were the key themes?
“One of the key trends in business aviation is the growing importance of retrofitting,” explains Kate. “This has been high on the agenda in commercial aviation for some time, but it is now also picking up steam in the business aviation sector, which we saw at the event. The demand to upgrade older aircraft with modern interiors is growing.
“Retrofitting is a major area of focus and was something we brought to the event. For ALTO, they offer audio & CMS solutions to those seeking to upgrade their jets’ interiors to maintain a premium aesthetic. The Group was able to offer high performance solutions that also meet the luxury expectations of the market.”
ALTO also launched their new touchscreen panels and NBAA attendees were the first to see it. These were developed to solve obsolescence and upgrade interior switches to a more contemporary touch pad feel. ALTO touchscreens complement the existing Cadence line of fit-compatible switch panels, enabling aftermarket aircraft owners to upgrade the passenger and crew controls with touchscreens only for the VIP seats, the entire cabin, and the galley.
Collaborative Group Focus
ALTO and Heads Up Technologies had neighbouring booths this year to show off their product offerings and STG had a presence. Heads Up Technologies focused on cabin lighting, CMS & IFE systems for OEMs, while ALTO Aviation highlighted its expertise in cabin audio and CMS solutions for the aftermarket.
Kate explained:
“This year’s NBAA Exhibition was all about showcasing the Group’s capability and launching ALTO’s new product. It was exciting to be in Las Vegas, particularly as it marks a year since ALTO joined the Heads Up Group. There is much more to come, with exciting Group-wide collaborations taking shape.”
