The National Business Aviation Association 62nd Annual Meeting and Convention last week in Orlando, Fla., showed signs of the industry's distress, with attendance dropping to the second lowest level in 15 years and some key exhibitors missing from the convention floor, but attendees were optimistic of growing indicators of a stabilizing marketplace and an improving public image.

According to the latest NBAA numbers, attendance fell shy of 23,000 last week, down some 25 percent from the nearly 31,000 who attended the 2008 show. This marked the second lowest total since 1994. The lowest total (11,738) occurred in 2001, when NBAA rescheduled the show in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Also noticeable was the absence of Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and Piper from the convention floor. Other major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Dassault Falcon, shrunk their displays.

Despite the smaller number of attendees and the loss of certain exhibits, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen was encouraged that some 91 percent, or 1,075, of the exhibitors from the 2008 convention returned. In addition, Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and Piper all had a presence at the show with press conferences, aircraft at static displays, operators meetings and/or even sponsorships.

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