NBAA-BACE 2026: FAA's Bryan Bedford opens expanded regulators panel, with a Creator Studio and larger Military Connect added

NBAA has set out three additions to NBAA-BACE 2026, which runs from 20 to 22 October at the Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall, with the aircraft display at Henderson Executive Airport. In releases issued between 12 and 14 October, the association announced an expanded "Meet the Regulators" session opening with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, a Creator Studio in the West Hall atrium with Signature Aviation as title sponsor, and a larger Military Connect programme on Wednesday 21 October.

Meet the Regulators, Tuesday 20 October at 3 pm

The session takes place on the Horizon Stage in the centre of the exhibit hall. It opens with a one-on-one conversation with Bryan Bedford, followed by a panel with Ludovic Aron, EASA's representative in the United States; Dan Edwards, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the Department of Transportation; Rebecca Guy, FAA Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Airspace Modernization Office and Chief Technology Officer; and Caitlin Locke, FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. NBAA's Kristie Greco Johnson and Heidi Williams moderate. Air traffic control modernisation, medical certification, the updated oxygen mask requirements and current FAA rulemakings are the listed topics.

Creator Studio in the West Hall atrium

The Creator Studio, powered by Signature Aviation, is open to all badge holders across the three days, with content creation space, live programming and meet-and-greets. Nine sessions cover congressional perspectives, CEO insights, personal branding, FBO evolution and mental health. Named participants include Representatives Sam Graves and Jay Obernolte, Signature Aviation chief executive Tony Lefebvre and aircraft broker and creator Mindy Lindheim. Derek DeCross, Signature Aviation's Chief Commercial Officer, moderates one session and said that "business aviation is built on people, relationships and shared experiences".

Military Connect on Wednesday 21 October

Military Connect is a day-long programme for transitioning service members and veterans looking at careers in business aviation. It opens at 10 am on the Horizon Stage with retired USAF General Lloyd "Fig" Newton, followed by two sessions, "From Veteran-Friendly to Veteran-Ready" and "Mission-Ready for Business Aviation", and a Military Meetup in the Career Zone. Speakers include Nate Dietsche of Netflix and Nora Jacobsen of Liberty Mutual Insurance, both veterans. PenFed Credit Union sponsors the programme.

What it means for exhibitors and visitors

The organiser's published list stands at 738 exhibitor entries and 40 sponsors, about 740 different companies, unchanged since our NBAA-BACE 2026 exhibitors preview. Aircraft manufacturers on it include Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation and Pilatus, with Honeywell Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, Garmin and Jet Aviation among the systems and service companies.

For visitors, Tuesday at 3 pm is the one slot where the FAA, DOT and EASA answer questions in the same room. For exhibitors, the Creator Studio puts company stories in front of an online audience as well as the hall, and Military Connect is where employers meet veteran candidates. Venue details and the organiser's programme links are on our NBAA-BACE 2026 event page.

Source: NBAA, Meet the Regulators, Creator Studio and Military Connect releases, 12 to 14 October 2026.