UK Events

UKEVENTS Confirms British Air Display Association (BADA) as New Partner

UKEVENTS, the umbrella organisation for the events industry, has confirmed the British Air Display Association (BADA) as its newest partner.

A recorded 4.9 million people attended air displays across the UK in 2019, generating over £120 million in direct spend for the UK economy and for charities.

Air displays play a key engagement role in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), such as promoting education and careers, as well as contributing towards international diplomacy, tourism, and trade activity.

These events and their associated exhibitions underpin Britain’s leading aerospace industries with major air shows attracting trade buyers from around the world boosting the UK’s export and inward investment opportunities.

On why BADA has chosen to join UKEVENTS, George Bacon TD MBE, Chief Executive Officer, British Air Display Association (BADA), said: "The pandemic period proved to be a catalyst in bringing the UK events community together and created a greater need to work together, to identify common issues and lobby more effectively, on behalf of our members, staff and the public.

“Air displays have routinely been the third most popular spectator activity in the UK but understandable issues relating to sustainability, the cost of living, and content means that we must find new ways to grow the sector to meet continuing public support.

“By collaborating together within the UKEVENTS structure we hope to achieve a clearer voice, improved outreach, collaborative understanding and greater influence where it matters."

On their membership, Chris Skeith OBE, Chair, UKEVENTS, added: “Many of us have been to air displays at some point in our lives and will have great memories of pilots and planes doing the most incredible things in the sky.

“Back on the ground, it is important that we don’t underestimate the positive contribution these publicly accessible events have on wider UK society, providing inspiration and access to education and inspiring young people to explore STEM careers.

“While they are also an important pillar for international trade and tourism, many air displays are also held for the benefit of local and national charities both in terms of financial contributions and awareness.

“We are delighted to welcome BADA into the partnership and look forward to their contributions.”

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Notes to editors
For further information on UKEVENTS please contact Martin Fullard on 01892 617911 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UKEVENTS is the recognised and collective voice of our world leading events industry, which represents every part of a diverse, creative and dynamic sector across the whole of the UK and champions the economic, societal and transformational value of events. UKEVENTS’, formerly the Business Visits and Events Partnership’s (BVEP), role is to support the work of our partners to help create a strong and growing events industry.

This industry comprises many diverse and individual sectors, covering meetings, conferences, exhibitions, trade shows, incentive travel, event hospitality, ceremonies, sporting, cultural, outdoor and festivals as well as other services provided by the wider supply chain. Partners UKEVENTS exists to represent the interests of its partners, their members and the wider UK events industry.

We are proud to represent the following organisations:
• ABPCO - Association of British Professional Conference Organisers
• AEME - Association for Events Management Education
• BADA – British Air Display Association
• Beam
• BTA - Business Travel Association
• Core Cities
• EIA - Events Industry Alliance (AEO, AEV, ESSA)
• EIF - Events Industry Forum
• EVCOM - Event & Visual Communications Association
• ICCA - International Congress & Convention Association
• London & Partners
• MIA - Meetings Industry Association
• Meet in Ireland (including Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland, and Northern Ireland Tourist Board)
• MPI
• NOEA - National Outdoor Events Association
• PCMA - Professional Convention Management Association
• PLASA - Professional Lighting and Sound Association
• PSA - Production Services Association
• TNI - Tourism Northern Ireland
• UVL - Unique Venues of London
• VisitBritain
• VisitScotland Business Events
• Visit Wales

About BADA
The British Air Display Association is the UK’s leading voice in the field. Its objectives are:

• Through a Code of Practice, promote safety and professional standards throughout the air display community.
• To be the national representative association for all matters relating to the British Air Display community.
• To encourage high standards of performance for Air Display organisers, Display Directors, Flying Control Committees and Participants.
• To provide a forum for the exchange of information between members.
• To provide an interface between the civilian and military regulatory authorities and members.
• To provide a programme of training and mentoring for new members of the Air Display community.
• To maintain a liaison with other UK aviation related associations and organisations.
• To maintain a liaison with other international Air Display organisations.
• To promote the Air Display community to the media and the public and provide a focal point for information, discussion and informed comment.
• To be a focal point for expert advice on Air Display matters.
• To provide subject matter experts on Air Display issues.

For more information, visit https://www.bada-uk.com/