VERTICON 2027
VERTICON — the rebranded HAI Heli-Expo, run by Vertical Aviation International — is the world's largest vertical aviation conference and trade show. The 2027 edition lands at the Anaheim Convention Center, 15–18 March, with 60+ aircraft on display and attendees from roughly 80 countries.
What is VERTICON?
VERTICON is the annual global gathering for everything that hovers: helicopter OEMs and operators, eVTOL/AAM developers, MROs, parts and component suppliers, avionics, training and mission-equipment specialists.
Formerly known as HAI Heli-Expo, the show rebranded with its association (now Vertical Aviation International) to cover the broadening vertical-flight industry — conventional rotorcraft plus the emerging advanced-air-mobility segment.
Dates, venue and format
VERTICON 2027 runs 15–18 March at the Anaheim Convention Center — exhibition halls with full aircraft displays, an education programme (safety, maintenance, operations courses) and OEM order announcements through the week.
- 60+ rotorcraft and eVTOL aircraft on the show floor
- Education and safety courses run alongside the exhibition
- Major helicopter OEMs (Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo, Sikorsky, MD) traditionally announce orders here
Who attends
Helicopter operators across all missions — offshore energy, EMS, law enforcement, utility, VVIP and tourism — alongside MROs, completions centres, parts distributors, training organisations and mission-equipment vendors.
Key themes
Why GCC procurement teams track this show
The Gulf runs significant rotorcraft fleets — police and EMS wings, offshore energy support, VVIP transport and growing AAM ambitions (Dubai's vertiport programme among them). VERTICON's exhibitor base is the global supply chain those fleets buy parts, completions and training from.
Use the exhibitor list to identify parts distributors and mission-equipment vendors with Middle East support footprints, then compare them on Aviation Souk.
- Helicopter parts and AOG distributors exhibiting here serve GCC police, EMS and offshore fleets
- eVTOL/AAM vendor landscape previews Dubai and Riyadh vertiport supply chains
- VVIP completions houses relevant to Gulf government fleets exhibit alongside the OEMs
Venue & logistics
- Anaheim Convention Center is ~35 minutes from Los Angeles International (LAX); John Wayne/Orange County (SNA) is closer
- Exhibit halls include full-size aircraft — allow time for floor logistics
Travel tips
- Anaheim's hotel stock (Disneyland district) surrounds the convention center — walkable options are plentiful
- March in Southern California is mild; no weather risk to the schedule
Frequently asked questions
When is VERTICON 2027?
15–18 March 2027 at the Anaheim Convention Center, California.
Is VERTICON the same as HAI Heli-Expo?
Yes — Heli-Expo was rebranded VERTICON when the Helicopter Association International became Vertical Aviation International (VAI).
What is on display?
60+ helicopters and eVTOL aircraft, plus the global vertical-aviation supply chain — MRO, parts, avionics, training and mission equipment.
Who should attend from the Middle East?
Operators of police, EMS, offshore, utility and VVIP rotorcraft fleets, plus teams planning advanced-air-mobility (vertiport) programmes.
Where can I compare rotorcraft suppliers for GCC work?
Aviation Souk's MRO and aircraft-spares categories index suppliers with GCC-relevant context — use the VERTICON exhibitor list as the discovery layer.
Going to VERTICON 2027?
Describe what you’re sourcing — Souk surfaces ranked supplier shortlists per category and flags which exhibitors at this show are worth your meeting time.
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