As CEPA EXPO 2016 drew to a close last week, delegates reflected on an incredible three days of events, presentations and workshops of the highest quality.

The event opened with the brand new Career Day. This innovative concept attracted 120 students eager to find out more about the business aviation industry and the career opportunities it can offer. Many business aircraft operators were present to demonstrate that there are career opportunities in all sectors of the business.

Day 2 saw formal proceedings get underway with a raft of future looking presentations. Highlights included presentations on Finance, the need for regulation of drones, what the future holds for on-demand air mobility and cyber crime. Another new development for this year were two separate workshops took place with RUBAA advising on all aspects of business aviation in Russia and JAA on the subject EASA Air Ops. Presenter Gert Janse from JAA gave an intensive review of the latest EASA developments and condensed what is normally a 3-day event into just a few hours. With plenty of group participation all delegates who completed the workshop were presented with a JAA- EASA AIR OPS certificate. The day came to a close with one of the high points of CEPA EXPO a gala dinner at SaSaZu restaurant. This gave delegates the opportunity to not only enjoy delicious food in convivial surroundings but also compete in the number of food related competitions.

The final day of CEPA EXPO shifted the focus of presentations on to the future of business aviation and insured the event came to a logical conclusion. The main presentations looked at the future of business aviation, future trends in dealing with people and market forecasts for business aviation in Central and Eastern Europe. As delegates departed they had many things to think about and help move their business forward.

CEPA EXPO organiser Dagmar Grossmann said "This has been a superlative CEPA EXPO, I am so glad to have introduced so many young people to new and exciting career options. We decided our vision for CEPA EXPO 2016 would be the future and I am certain that everyone who attended has not only had a thought provoking time but will take away many valuable nuggets of information for them and their business."

CEPA EXPO Chairman Roger Whyte added "Once again CEPA EXPO has succeeded beyond all of our expectations. The high quality of the presentations over the last three days, combined with the number of delegates attending, clearly demonstrates the high level of interest in business aviation in Central and Eastern Europe. I would like to thank everyone involved for making this event so successful and look forward to welcoming delegates back again in 2017."