How Flight Departments Can Get More Value from the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference

Each year, the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference brings together thousands of the professionals responsible for keeping flight operations running smoothly behind the scenes. 

Schedulers. Dispatchers. Directors of Operations. Chief Pilots.  

These roles are the operational backbone of business aviation, ensuring flights operate safely and efficiently. 

Unlike other aviation conferences that focus primarily on broad industry trends, the Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC) dives into operational details from scheduling complexity and weather planning to workload management and operational resilience. 

For those planning to attend SDC 2026 in Cleveland (March 24–26), preparation can make the difference between simply attending and walking away with insights that improve your operation long after the event ends. 

Here’s how to approach the conference strategically:

 

Why the Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference Should Matter to You 

SDC is one of the few events in business aviation where the focus is almost entirely on flight operations. 

The event typically features: 

• • Dozens of educational sessions covering operational best practices 
  • A large exhibit hall showcasing tools and services used by flight departments 
  • Networking opportunities with peers across the industry 
  • Discussions on safety, human factors, and emerging operational challenges

Because of this operational focus, SDC often surfaces practical insights that can immediately impact how a flight department functions day-to-day. 

For many attendees, it’s also an opportunity to compare notes with peers and better understand how other flight departments are adapting and evolving to keep up. 

 

Before the Conference: Questions to Ask Your Team 

The weeks leading up to SDC are a good time to reflect on your operation and identify areas where you’d like to learn more. Consider discussing these questions with your team before attending: 

• • Where does our team feel stretched the most today? 
  • What tasks pull dispatchers away from higher-value work? 
  • How do we handle disruptions like sick calls or last-minute schedule changes? 
  • Where are we most vulnerable if a key team member becomes unavailable? 
  • How much redundancy exists within our dispatch functions? 
  • Are we prepared for extended periods of high utilization or irregular operations? 
  • Are senior team members pulled into tactical work that limits strategic focus?

Going into the conference with clear questions in mind will help you focus on the sessions and conversations that matter most to your operation. 

 

How to Navigate the Exhibit Hall Strategically 

The exhibit hall is often viewed simply as a place to explore products and services, but it can also be one of the most valuable learning environments at the conference. 

Vendors interact with dozens or even hundreds of flight departments each year, giving them unique insight into how operations are evolving across the industry. 

Some useful questions to ask include: 

• • How are flight departments handling peak demand or staffing gaps? 
  • How do teams maintain consistency across multiple aircraft or time zones? 
  • What operational support is available outside normal business hours? 
  • What does scalable dispatch support look like in practice? 
  • What strategies are helping schedulers and dispatchers avoid burnout?

The goal isn’t just to evaluate solutions; it’s to understand how others are solving challenges similar to your own. 

Exhibitor Directory 

Exhibitor Floorplan 

** Don’t forget to visit IFCC at Booth #657** 

 

What to Listen for in Educational Sessions 

The educational sessions at SDC often highlight trends that are shaping the future of flight operations. 

As you attend sessions, listen for themes such as: 

• • Rethinking traditional operational models 
  • Workload sustainability for schedulers and dispatchers 
  • Case studies involving irregular operations 
  • Human factors in operational decision-making 
  • Standardization across fleets and teams

When similar ideas surface across multiple sessions, it can be a signal that operational practices across the industry are evolving. 

Those insights can be valuable when evaluating your own processes back home. 

Full Session Schedule 

 

After the Conference: Turning Insights into Action 

The real value of any conference comes after you return home. Within a week of attending, consider: 

• • Debriefing with your team 
  • Sharing key takeaways across the flight department 
  • Identifying operational improvements worth exploring 
  • Creating action plans for new initiatives 
  • Documenting ideas you may want to revisit later

The faster insights are shared and discussed internally, the more likely they are to translate into meaningful operational improvements. 

 

A Final Thought for Flight Departments 

The responsibilities placed on schedulers and dispatchers continue to grow as flight departments face increasing complexity, higher utilization, and evolving operational expectations. 

Events like the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference provide a valuable opportunity to step back, evaluate current processes, and learn from others across the industry. 

If you’ll be attending SDC 2026, the team from In‑Flight Crew Connections will also be there. Stop by the booth (#657) to exchange insights on what you’re seeing across the industry, compare notes on operational challenges, or simply say hello. We look forward to connecting with you in Cleveland. 

P: 704-236-3647 | E: ccs@inflightcrewconnections.com