The main static display for this year’s NBAA Convention in Orlando, Fla., will have more square footage than when the convention was last held there two years ago. Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Executive Airport will be the host FBO of the main static display at NBAA 2012.

The Florida Department of Transportation is rebuilding and expanding Orlando Executive’s north ramp, which is used by Showalter Flying Service, to an open area of about 25 acres. The $1.1 million project will finally repair damage sustained eight years ago during Hurricane Charley.

“It destroyed several [of our] buildings, but the foundations remained. So did the grass between where those buildings once stood,” said Showalter president Kim Showalter. “We wanted to make that space usable.”

Work to remove the remnants of the destroyed facilities and repave the area as additional ramp space started in early July. The expansion will be completed by the end of next month, according to an August 15 construction progress report, and NBAA has already allocated the space to static display exhibitors.