Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler
This phrase is a Louisiana-French word that translates to, "Let the good times roll." The good times will be rolling as aviation maintenance managers and mechanics gather in New Orleans next week for the 2026 NBAA Maintenance Conference (NBAA MC).
If you have never attended an NBAA Maintenance Conference before, I would encourage you to do so. It is business aviation’s most valuable educational event for maintenance professionals. By attending, you benefit from vital education and networking opportunities specifically designed for anyone involved in business aircraft maintenance — from technicians to directors of maintenance. Stay up-to-date on the latest operational information critical to your essential job functions. You’ll also get plenty of time to connect with hundreds of fellow aviation maintenance professionals and businesses during the opening reception, at meals, and in the exhibit hall.
If you make appropriate travel plans, there is an NBAA PDP Course, Adaptive Leadership — Navigating Change with Agility — on Monday May 4. The course fulfills NBAA PDP Objectives Leadership L2 and L4 and is eligible for CAM application and recertification credit. An additional fee in addition to the conference registration is required.
Another option if you arrive early is the AMT Travel Fund Charity Golf Tournament, also to be held May 4. This is a fun event for a great cause. Participants tee off to raise money for the AMT Travel Fund, which offsets airfare, transportation, lodging and food costs AMT Maintenance Scholarship winners incur during their awarded training.
The tournament includes a series of fun minigames, including the Red Solo Cup Long Drive Contest, Liferaft Chipping Contest and Putting Contest. Test your skills and earn bragging rights in a fun and relaxed setting.
The tournament will also feature a silent auction where participants can bid on tools, aviation services, electronics, memorabilia, travel packages and more.
There are plenty of seminars lined up for the conference. For those that have never attended an NBAA MC before, there are typically multiple sessions going on at the same time. You can choose which ones you want to attend. If you have multiple people going to the show, you can plan to attend different overlapping sessions to gain more information and knowledge.
Breaks are in the main exhibit hall. There is plenty of time to grab a bite to eat and walk the exhibit floor to visit with the exhibitors. You can see the latest products and services available and network with your existing customers, peers and industry connections.
There are also two planned networking events. The first one is The Hangar Happy Hour on May 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The second is an off-site networking event on May 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. that will be held at Mardi Gras World.
If you will be exhibiting or attending the conference, please take some time to stop by our booth (405) and talk with us!
For more information, visit nbaa.org/events/2026-nbaa-maintenance-conference/.
Looking forward to seeing you in New Orleans!
Joe