Gates and Partners to co-host seminar with MEBAA at Dubai Airshow.

Wednesday 2nd November 2011

Emergency preparedness, liability issues to dominate agenda at MEBAA Risk Management Seminar at Dubai Air Show.

Business aviation operators, financiers and insurers from around the region will attend the one-day seminar co-hosted by aviation law firm Gates & Partners.

Dubai, UAE - November 2, 2011:- The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the industry forum representing the region's business aviation community, will be hosting a one-day seminar running parallel with the Dubai Air Show 2011 - taking place from 13-17 November - at the Airport Expo in Dubai. Co-hosted by leading international aviation law firm Gates & Partners, the seminar will debate and discuss the challenges of risk management for business aviation companies operating within the region.

Chair Aoife O'Sullivan, lead Partner at Gates, will be joined by Chairman of MEBAA Ali Al Naqbi and experts from Kenyon International Emergency Associates, the international disaster management company which recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with MEBAA allowing members to take advantage of Kenyon's experience when handling a disaster or preparing for a crisis.

Key topics relating to the complex business issue of risk management will be presented by members of the Gates and Partners team, experts from JSSI, Kenyon and MEBAA. Themes to be presented include an analysis of where liability falls should an incident occur, how to fully prepare for unexpected situations and emergencies, exploring the potential legal consequences of grey charters, and how to select the most suitable insurance policy. The seminar will finish with a panel discussing how all sectors of the business aviation industry could co-operate to tackle the challenges presented by risk management at all levels.

Delegates will include operators, brokers, financiers, and insurers along with other members of MEBAA. The interactive seminar will encourage attendees to present their ideas, solutions and questions at what is anticipated to be a lively and informative event. "We want to demonstrate that risk management is a positive part of the industry and suggest guidelines that will encourage delegates to think pro-actively about the issue," commented O'Sullivan.

"We're delighted to be working with Gates and Partners on this innovative and important seminar," commented Ali Al Naqbi. "As the Association develops, we are keen to support our members and ensure the region's business aviation industry follows best practise to ensure business aviation in the Middle East is one of the most professional sectors globally."

The free seminar will take place on Wednesday 16 November at 9.30 am and run through to 17.30 pm in Press Conference Room 4. To register in advance for the event, please contact Emma Wright on emma.wright@mebaa.com / mail@mebaa.com, or register on the day of the event outside Room

About MEBAA:

The Middle East Business Aviation Association, established in 2006, is a non-profit association set up to provide an effective communication between Middle East business aviation operators and suppliers, and governments of the region, business leaders and the media, on matters concerning and affecting business aviation. Key objectives of the Association are to enhance safety, security, efficiency and acceptance of business aviation in the region through communication and ongoing dialogue. Membership groups include operators, suppliers and affiliates.

http://mebaa.com

About Gates and Partners:

In eight years, Gates and Partners has grown rapidly from three to 25 partners and over 40 professional staff and associates worldwide. Together, the team brings decades of world class experience to the representation and defence of airlines, insurers, aircraft operators and aviation enterprises. The firm advises on all aspects of aviation law including aircraft finance, aviation insurance, risk management, regulation, litigation, commercial operations and agreements.

In 2010 Gates and Partners were voted one of the top ten international aviation law firms by the respected publication Air Finance Journal citing their capacity to deal with complex issues across a variety of borders. Many of the firm's lawyers are named in well respected industry publications such as Chambers and Who's Who Legal.

Gates and Partners continues to build its reputation as an internationally renowned niche aviation practice with dedicated offices in London, Singapore, Paris, Brussels and Dubai, and with strong interest and growing presence in Eastern Europe, the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

www.gatesandpartners.com