...not in numbers of the past few years, but reportedly some 21,000-plus strong - roughly a third less than in recent record-setting times. The trade show floor was populated and people were doing business... a healthy sign, albeit not the 'buzz' or 'roar' which one usually associates with an annual NBAA meeting. Although most recognize that the bizav industry is redefining itself as we watch, there is a sense that the bottom was hit earlier this year and things began to turn around in September. Consider Ken Allison, who heads up the newly formed Odyssey Aviation, a mini-chain of seven fixed base operations which had previously been branded with Million Air. Says Allison, "I'm optimistic.We only see it going up. In August and September we began to see it turn around." Yet, he says he doesn't expect business activity to get back to 2007 levels - a record year - in the near future. Or Bruce Van Allen, longtime president of Signature Flight Support, who is now charged with marketing globally the umbrella of companies under the BBA Aviation banner as group marketing director. "I sense there are signs of improvement. I'm completely convinced that business aviation will grow and prosper." One thing: Quite a few folks raised the idea that perhaps the association should have incentivized the audience with reduced registration fees and perhaps offering extra exhibit space to longtime vendors in an effort to fill some of the empty spaces on the show floor. One discussion suggested that the association may have gotten "too fat" in the boom times and wasn't quite in tune with what the industry was facing economically. But then, NBAA has a history of responding to what the membership wants, so the 2010 show may bring with it some additional incentives in an attempt to reinvigorate. Thanks for reading. jfi