NBAA’s Collegiate Connect program is returning to NBAA-BACE as the association continues its drive to attract new talent into the business aviation workforce. To be held October 22, the final day of the 2026 NBAA annual convention and exhibition, Collegiate Connect will provide an opportunity for students to learn about different career paths in the industry and meet with industry professionals.
“Collegiate Connect is a meaningful event for any student exploring a career in business aviation,” said Elayna Hall, manager of professional development for NBAA. “This is a wonderful opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders as well as gain perspectives and guidance from professionals in the early stages of their careers. It fosters the development of connections that position a student to stand out as more than just a name on an application.”
Free for college students, faculty, and chaperones, the event opens with a welcome from the NBAA leadership team and Xyla Foxlin, a mechatronics engineer, pilot, and content creator who founded the nonprofit Beauty and the Bolt and advocates for women in STEM.
A panel discussion will follow featuring recent graduates who will share how they prepared for the industry while in school. They will provide details on their coursework, clubs, internships, and extracurricular activities. The next panel, “Career Possibilities in Business Aviation: Beyond the Obvious,” will explore the various pathways into the industry. Participants include both new and experienced professionals from flight operations, maintenance, and business functions.
Students will then take a networking tour that connects them with professionals in the career category of their choice: airport business, business management, broker/sales, flight/cabin attendant, innovation and technology, maintenance, marketing, pilot, and scheduler/dispatcher.
The day wraps up at the NBAA-BACE Career Zone, where students will be able to connect with NBAA officials, speak with recruiters, and get their headshot photo taken—as well as enter to win a $200 Amazon gift card.
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