Press Room

Aviation Convention & Exhibition A Success

Published 12th June 2012

AACI exhibition at 12th European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition A Success! George Town, Grand Cayman, (June 2012) – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) exhibited at the 12th annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) tradeshow, held at the Palexpo centre in Geneva, Switzerland on May 14-16, 2012. Despite the challenging economic times that has affected everyone including the European industries, show organizers noted that as the final day came to a close, there were 12,638 attendees representing 99 countries; both numbers on par with last year’s tradeshow. In addition, 491 Exhibitors were on hand, occupying a record-breaking 2,280 booth spaces across Halls 5, 6 and 7 of the Geneva Palexpo convention centre. EBACE 2012 also featured 60 aircraft on its Static Display of Aircraft with a 10 percent increase in ramp space, making it the largest EBACE Static Display ever.

This was the largest delegation of Cayman Islands businesses exhibiting with the CAACI at any tradeshow to date; including legal and financial representatives, Sherice Arman of Appleby Global and Joannah Small of Maples & Calder; Marcus Cumber of Island Air (local FBO operator) and ground handler for the Cayman Islands, Don McDougall of DOT (UK) and for the first time partnering with CAACI at EBACE was the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) and Budget Rent A Car Cayman which were both represented by Brian Krug. Also, in support of our efforts there were representation materials on display from Cayman’s new Special Economic Zone-Cayman Enterprise City. Joannah of Maples commented, “with over 12,500 attendees and 99 countries represented, EBACE 2012 proved to be an excellent show. Maples and Calder was pleased to once again form a part of the CAACI’s delegation and to showcase the legal and fiduciary services of the Maples Group. Our aviation practice was developed in early 1980s and we have worked with the CAACI for over 17 years, advising on a wide range of aircraft financing transactions and specialising in local aircraft and aircraft mortgage registration. The show provided excellent opportunities to network with existing clients, to develop new client relationships and to witness, firsthand, innovative developments in business/corporate aviation. Maples and Calder looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the CAACI and we thank the Director General, the Deputy Director General and the other CAACI representatives for their professionalism and warm hospitality.”

Sherice Arman of Appleby added “It is always a pleasure for us to partner with the CAA. We share their vision for the growth and development of the aircraft industry in the Cayman Islands. Our clients benefit greatly from the strength of our relationship with the CAA.”

This year’s exhibition was also marked with a special announcement by the CAACI with the launch of a customized electronic document management portal developed by local IT solutions partner Brac Informatics Centre (BIC). Officials from BIC, Nancy Ewing CEO and President and Derik Lochtenbergh, Director of Software Services, also travelled to Geneva with the CAACI to launch and provide training for CAACI clientele and business partners on this ground-breaking software application that promises to revolutionize the manner in which aircraft registrations are processed throughout the industry. The new system branded ‘VP-C Online’ will give clients the opportunity to have full access to file applications, view documents, upload supporting data from any part of the world, 24-7-365 days a year. BIC is a premiere international provider of technology and cloudbased solutions, and provides secure self-service portals to assist public and private sector organizations meet their clients’ demands for 24.7.365 access to information. Nancy Ewing commented, “With the introduction of VP-C Online CAACI is establishing a new level of service. Their global client base highly value online services with ‘anywhere, anytime’ availability, therefore providing this access gives CAACI a competitive advantage. We were pleased to experience first-hand the enthusiastic adoption amongst the aircraft owners, financiers and technical support teams.”

In addition, the CAACI were pleased that Cayman Brac and Little Cayman MLA Mr. Moses Kirkconnell, travelled to Geneva for the launch of VP-C Online and to attend the tradeshow and aviation conference with a view to exploring the opportunities for further Cayman Islands growth with this very lucrative and affluent target business aviation audience. Mr. Moses Kirkconnell stated “The business aviation market is a growing market and represents an opportunity for us as a jurisdiction. It was impressive to see the teamwork between the Cayman Islands’ private sector companies such as law firms and service providers, and the Civil Aviation Authority. Together they showcased the professionalism of the Cayman Islands. We should all be proud of CAACI’s high standards and commitment to customer service, which have distinguished them as a leading regulatory body in a very competitive international market”.

Director of Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Richard Smith, MBE, FRAeS commented “as the regulator for the Cayman Islands aviation industry, the CAACI has established itself globally as a credible option for aircraft registration in what has become a highly competitive asset management option amongst jurisdictions.” He continued, “it is due to the high caliber of technically qualified staff, a legal code specific to the needs of an OT and the CAACI’s policy of providing exceptional service to clients worldwide while maintaining the highest possible safety standards in compliance with ICAO mandates that we can continue to grow the CI aviation industry in this manner.”

Each year CAACI offers partnership opportunities with the local business community to offer a prize package for a raffle at EBACE and would like to thank this years’ sponsors: Cayman Airways Ltd, Tortuga Rum Company, The Reef Resort, Grand Old House restaurant, Cayman Safari Adventures, Budget Rent A Car, Red Sail Sports, and Ebanks Watersports. Mr. Markus Enck, CEO of Quality Control Management (QCM) was the lucky winner of this lovely holiday package.

To review the highlights for this event please visit http://www.ebace.aero/2012

CAACI exhibition at 12th European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition A Success!