Your Flight Plan for NBAA Schedulers Event Dates and Locations
NBAA Schedulers Conference Dates at a Glance
NBAA schedulers conference dates are confirmed through 2028, making it easy to plan ahead. Here’s a quick reference:
| Year | Dates | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 25-27 | New Orleans, LA | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center |
| 2026 | March 24-26 | Cleveland, OH | Huntington Convention Center |
| 2027 | February 22-24 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | TBA |
| 2028 | March 21-23 | Savannah, GA | TBA |
The NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC) is the business aviation industry’s premier annual gathering for scheduling and dispatching professionals. Hosted by the National Business Aviation Association — which represents more than 11,000 companies and professionals — the SDC brings together flight coordinators, trip specialists, dispatchers, and the suppliers who support them.
Each year, the conference rotates to a new U.S. city. Attendees get access to expert-led education sessions, hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest dispatch technologies, and networking opportunities that are hard to find anywhere else.
Whether you’re a scheduler planning your professional development calendar or a charter coordinator sourcing vendors for your fleet, knowing these dates in advance is essential.
Confirmed nbaa schedulers conference dates for 2025-2028
As we look at the horizon of business aviation, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has done us all a favor by locking in the nbaa schedulers conference dates well into the future. This long-term planning is a godsend for flight departments that need to manage training budgets and staffing rotations.
The SDC isn’t just a meeting; it’s a high-energy marketplace where the logistical heart of aviation beats loudest. From the jazz-filled halls of New Orleans to the lakeside industrial charm of Cleveland, the rotation ensures that different regions get to showcase their local aviation hubs.
For 2025, we are heading to the Big Easy. From March 25-27, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will host the event. If you are heading there, you can already start scouting the Exhibitor Directory & Floor Plan to see which of your favorite vendors will be setting up shop in Halls G through I.
Planning for nbaa schedulers conference dates in Cleveland 2026
We are particularly excited about 2026. Why? Because the nbaa schedulers conference dates for March 24-26, 2026, bring the industry to Cleveland, OH. Cleveland is often called the “birthplace of aviation’s future,” and for us at Iacofano’s, it’s one of our home bases.
The event will be held at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. This venue is a state-of-the-art facility perfect for the hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees expected to descend upon the city. If you are a corporate planner or an executive assistant tasked with organizing a side event or a team dinner during the conference, you’ll want to look into More info about corporate event catering to ensure your team is well-fed with local Cleveland expertise.
Cleveland offers a unique backdrop for SDC2026. It’s a city that understands the grit and precision required in aviation. Between sessions, attendees can explore the revitalization of the downtown area, located just minutes from major flight departments and FBOs. For those of us who live and work in Cleveland, we know that the right meal can make or break a long day of networking, which is why we take our role in the local aviation community so seriously.
Future nbaa schedulers conference dates and locations
Looking even further ahead, the NBAA has confirmed that 2027 will see the conference move to the sunny shores of Fort Lauderdale, FL, from February 22-24. This is a slight shift earlier in the calendar year compared to the March dates we often see, so make sure your 2027 calendars are marked appropriately.
In 2028, the SDC heads to Savannah, GA, from March 21-23. Savannah is a legendary aviation town, home to some of the biggest names in business jet manufacturing. The pattern of these dates suggests that NBAA prefers the late Q1 window, which allows professionals to wrap up winter operations and gear up for the busy spring and summer travel seasons.
Planning for these future dates allows flight departments to ensure that their “trip specialists” and “flight coordinators” (titles that are increasingly common alongside “scheduler”) have the time to earn their Professional Development Program (PDP) credits without disrupting flight schedules.
Why Schedulers and Dispatchers Attend the SDC
If you’ve never been to an SDC, you might wonder why thousands of people travel across the country for it. The answer is simple: career elevation. The role of a scheduler or dispatcher has evolved from simple data entry to complex logistical management. Today’s professionals must navigate international regulations, volatile fuel prices, and complex weather patterns.
At the SDC, the focus is on “navigating tomorrow, today.” Attendees gain insights into the latest dispatch technologies and leading-edge equipment that can make a flight department more efficient. It’s also a prime spot for uncovering sales leads and building relationships with vendors. For companies looking to get their brand in front of these decision-makers, the Sponsorship and Advertising Prospectus is the best place to start.
Professional Development and PDP Courses
One of the biggest draws of the nbaa schedulers conference dates is the associated Professional Development Program (PDP) courses. These are often held in the days immediately preceding the main conference.
For example, at recent events, attendees have had the chance to take courses like:
- Essentials in Scheduling and Dispatch for Business Aviation: A two-day deep dive into the foundational skills needed for the role.
- Leadership for Aviation Professionals: A one-day course designed to help dispatchers move into management roles.
These certifications are vital for anyone looking to climb the ladder in business aviation. And let’s be honest—managing a flight department is hungry work. Whether you are in a classroom or on the hangar floor, high-quality sustenance is key. If you are coordinating training for your team in one of our service areas like Charlotte, NC or Columbia, SC, you can find More info about in-flight catering to keep your crew fueled and focused.
Keynote Speakers and Industry Experts
The SDC is known for bringing in heavy hitters. For the 2026 event in Cleveland, the keynote speaker is Kenneth C. “Kenn” Ricci. As a business aviation innovator and entrepreneur, Ricci’s insights into the future of the industry are invaluable.
Past conferences have featured speakers like Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller, who shared lessons on resilience and excellence. These speakers provide the motivational “spark” that attendees take back to their flight departments, helping them tackle the daily stresses of aircraft scheduling with a fresh perspective.
Navigating the SDC: Exhibits, Registration, and Logistics
The logistical planning required to attend the SDC is almost as complex as the flights you schedule! With hundreds of exhibitors and a packed schedule, you need a plan of attack.
The exhibit hall is the heart of the event. It’s where you’ll find everything from software providers to international FBO networks. For SDC2026, you can already start visualizing your route by checking out the Exhibitor Directory.
Exhibit Hall Hours and Floor Plans
While the full schedule for 2026 is still being finalized, we can look at the SDC2025 schedule in New Orleans to get a sense of the pattern. Typically, the exhibit hours are:
- Tuesday: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Grand Opening Reception)
- Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
The searchable floor plans provided by NBAA allow you to search by company name, product category, or booth number. This is incredibly helpful when you only have a short break between education sessions and need to find a specific vendor.
Travel and Accommodations
NBAA works hard to secure discounted hotel room blocks for attendees. For the 2025 event in New Orleans, rooms were available at several hotels near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. We expect a similar setup for Cleveland in 2026, with blocks at major downtown hotels within walking distance of the Huntington Convention Center.
Our tip? Book early. These blocks fill up fast because everyone wants to be close to the action. If you’re flying into Cleveland for the 2026 event, you’ll likely arrive at Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE). From there, it’s a quick trip to the downtown area.
If you are coming from one of our other service hubs—like Charleston, SC or Charlotte, NC—you know how important it is to have a smooth transition from the FBO to the hotel. We always recommend arriving a day early (March 23 for the 2026 event) to settle in and perhaps enjoy some of the local Cleveland attractions before the sessions begin.
SDC vs. NBAA-BACE: Choosing the Right Event
Many people ask us if they should attend the Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference or the larger NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). While both are fantastic, they serve very different purposes.
| Feature | Schedulers & Dispatchers (SDC) | NBAA-BACE |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Operational logistics & dispatch | Global aircraft sales & industry-wide tech |
| Scale | Targeted, intimate networking | Massive, tens of thousands of attendees |
| Aircraft | Rarely has a static display | Features a massive outdoor aircraft display |
| Audience | Schedulers, Dispatchers, Coordinators | CEOs, Pilots, Owners, Manufacturers |
| Vibe | Practical, “How-to” education | High-level strategy and unveiling new jets |
If your daily life involves managing tail numbers, crew duty times, and catering orders, the SDC is your “home” event. It’s much more focused on the day-to-day “how-to” of running a flight department. NBAA-BACE is wonderful for seeing the latest $70 million jets, but SDC is where you learn how to actually keep those jets moving efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions about NBAA SDC
What are the upcoming nbaa schedulers conference dates?
The confirmed dates are:
- 2025: March 25-27 (New Orleans, LA)
- 2026: March 24-26 (Cleveland, OH)
- 2027: February 22-24 (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
- 2028: March 21-23 (Savannah, GA)
Who is the target audience for the Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference?
The conference is designed for anyone involved in the logistical support of business aviation. This includes aircraft schedulers, licensed dispatchers, flight coordinators, trip specialists, and FBO personnel. It’s also a vital event for vendors who provide services like fuel, ground handling, and, of course, in-flight catering.
How does SDC differ from the NBAA-BACE convention?
While NBAA-BACE is a broad industry event focusing on aircraft sales and global policy, the SDC is a specialized conference focused on flight operations and logistical planning. SDC is generally smaller, allowing for more direct networking between dispatchers and service providers.
Conclusion
The nbaa schedulers conference dates are more than just marks on a calendar; they represent the pulse of the business aviation community. From the educational deep dives to the bustling exhibit floor, these events are where careers are made and flight departments are optimized.
At Iacofano’s Catering, we are proud to be a part of this community. With over 20 years of experience, we’ve seen how the industry has grown and evolved. Whether we are serving you in Charleston, SC, Columbia, SC, Charlotte, NC, or right here in Cleveland, OH, our mission remains the same: to deliver high-quality, delicious food that makes your job as a scheduler just a little bit easier.
If you’re planning your trip to Cleveland for SDC2026, or if you need reliable catering for your next flight or corporate event in any of our service areas, we’re here to help. We offer everything from sophisticated corporate menus to specialized in-flight programs. For more information on how we can support your next mission, check out More info about catering services. We look forward to seeing you on the exhibit floor in Cleveland!
