Renowned Publisher Steve Forbes to Keynote ABACE2012 Gala

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced that publisher and commentator Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, will serve as keynote speaker for the gala dinner being held as part of the upcoming Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE2012) to be held March 27-29, 2012 in Shanghai, China.

Forbes will address the dinner at the start of the ABACE gala event, taking place on March 27, where he will discuss how the competitive and other advantages business aviation has long provided to entrepreneurs and companies in the United States and elsewhere can apply to Asia's fast-growing marketplace.

"We are very excited to have Steve Forbes joining us at ABACE2012," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "As a highly regarded voice of business throughout the world, it's fitting that Forbes Media would have a presence at an event that will draw the top business leaders from across the Asian region. Steve is widely recognized for his ability to spot and analyze business trends, and we very much look forward to hearing Steve’s insights and perspectives about the potential for business aviation in Asia."

Steve Forbes succeeded his father, Malcolm, as the head of Forbes Media following the latter's death in 1990. In 1996, Forbes oversaw the creation and launch of Forbes.com, a leading destination site for senior business decision-makers and investors that averages 25 million unique monthly visitors.

Today, in addition to its flagship publication, Forbes magazine, with a circulation of more than 900,000, the Forbes Media group also produces print magazines such as Forbes Asia and ForbesLife, which spotlights the luxury lifestyle and culture. Forbes also publishes regional editions and investment newsletters throughout the world, reaching an estimated audience of over 6 million international readers.

"Under Steve's guidance and leadership, the Forbes Media group has expanded to become a global, multi-media brand recognized as a thought leader on the trends impacting the business arena," Bolen said. "We know ABACE2012 Attendees will value Steve's participation in the event."

Bolen noted that Forbes's participation in ABACE2012 continues a long-standing standing collaboration between the publisher and NBAA. Forbes magazine publisher Rich Karlgaard has twice spoken at the Opening General Session for NBAA's largest yearly event, the association's Annual Meeting & Convention. Karlgaard's first appearance was in 2005, followed by a second one in 2009.

The news that Forbes will be the keynote speaker for the ABACE2012 gala comes amidst a number of other developments demonstrating the growing momentum for the show as its opening day draws near. The event organizers recently announced that Exhibitor space on the show floor has sold out, and a first-of-its kind, enclosed Exhibitor Pavilion has been added to accommodate additional Exhibitors. All of the world's major aircraft manufacturers have formalized their support for ABACE2012 with written agreements to participate in the show. The U.S. government has signaled its support for ABACE2012, with Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation signed on as a keynote speaker.

As Asia's premier business aviation event, ABACE2012 is being presented in partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority and co-hosted by NBAA, the Asian Business Aviation Association and the Shanghai Exhibition Company. The event – which will feature a lineup of business airplanes on display at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, more than 100 exhibits in the new Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, and a program of education sessions with experts on the Asia region – will take place from March 27 to 29, 2012. Additional details about ABACE2012 are available at www.abace.aero/2012.