Heli-Expo Returns To Nearly Full Strength

After the 2021 absence, Helicopter Association International’s (HAI) Heli-Expo rebounded this year drawing 13,083 attendees and 590 exhibitors.

That marked 91 percent of the attendees and 90 percent of exhibitors that had participated in the 2020 Heli-Expo. “This was such a dynamic event, thanks to the extremely positive response by the industry,” said HAI president and CEO James Viola. “I can see that our industry—and our people—could not wait to get together in person.”

The March 7 to 10 event hosted people from 72 countries—despite the pandemic-related complications involving international travel—and showcased the latest aircraft, engines, avionics, and other goods and services for both crewed and uncrewed rotorcraft.

HAI stressed that safety remained a central focus, including the Safety Symposium that kicked off Heli-Expo and a Rotor Safety Zone on the show floor housing virtual-reality training devices, a helicopter configured for preflight test inspection, and safety experts from around the world. HAI’s Rotor Safety Challenge education sessions drew more than 2,000 attendees.

“Sharing safety information throughout our industry and around the world is critical to the ongoing health of rotorcraft operations,” Viola said. “The active interest in our safety programming shown by attendees is a sign of our strengthening safety culture.”

HAI already is gearing up for its 75th-anniversary celebration at Heli-Expo 2023 from March 6 to 9 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.