Mission Statement
Aerospace Executive Service at the Australian International Airshow
Avalon Airport, (Geelong) Australia
March 15-20, 2005
Event Description:
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s office in Sydney, Australia and the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Aerospace and Defense Technology Team are organizing the Aerospace Executive Service at the Australian International Airshow , March 2005.
The Aerospace Executive Service affords lower-cost access to small and medium-sized businesses by allowing them to participate in the Australian International Airshow without taking on the expense of purchasing and staffing booth space.
The Aerospace Executive Service package at the Australian International Airshow includes:
Commercial Setting:
The Australian International Airshow 2005 will be is being held from March 15-20, 2005 at Avalon Airport, between Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria. In 2003 the show attracted 500 exhibitors and 40,000 trade visitors. The Australian International Airshow is one of the world’s most comprehensive airshows, and a major showcase for marketing aerospace and related defense technology, business and commercial aviation, airlines, equipment and facilities and general aviation services and products to Australia and the Asia Pacific region. With an extensive presentation of displays and exhibitions, a broad program of conferences, and a wealth of new marketing opportunities, the Australian International Airshow 2005 will provide an impressive focus for the world’s aerospace and aviation industries and a n ideal natural place to stage an Aerospace Executive Service program.
The inaugural Australian International Airshow was staged in October 1992. It attracted an impressive number of exhibitors and visitors, and quickly gained a reputation as one of the major aviation and aerospace exhibitions in the world. Today, the Australian International Airshow attracts almost 500 exhibitors from 30 countries and draws leading government, industry and defense visitors from all around the world. It is recognized as a focal point for international aviation and aerospace technology.
The most recent General Aviation Industry Sector Analysis from Australia provides a glimpse into the market need as it relates to US companies. Aviation is an integral form of transportation in a country as large and geographically diverse as Australia and air travel is still the preferred means of transport between the major urban centers. The country is also a major tourism destination, to which air travel is essential. Indeed, the fifth busiest section of general aviation airspace in the world is an area just south of the city of Sydney. One of the busiest business commuter routes in the world is between Sydney and Melbourne. There is a clear need for aviation and aerospace products to accommodate these realities, coupled with the Australian dependence on flying. However, local capacity is not enough to meet demand -- almost all aircraft and parts are imported.
As a result, United States manufacturers enjoy a dominant position in the Australian aerospace market, providing the majority of aircraft and aircraft parts. Overall, the aerospace industry there spends US$1.5 billion annually, with expenditure on aircraft and parts close to US$950 million. The US has an unmatched reputation for quality and service, ensuring continuing opportunities in an area experiencing consistent annual growth of ten percent or more. Projections from the Australian Bureau of Industry Economics indicate continued strong 10 percent growth in aircraft and parts through the year 2005.
In February 2003, Commercial Service (CS) Australia and the ITA Aerospace Team recruited, organized and staged the first Aerospace Executive Service to at the Australian International Airshow. Over 60 individual appointments were scheduled for the seven companies in advance of the show, with additional appointments scheduled on-site. The companies were unanimous in their praise for the program, with many reporting successes at the show.
Mission Goals:
The goal of the Aerospace Executive Service at the Australian International Airshow 2005 is to facilitate an effective presence for small to medium-sized companies without incurring the major expenses associated with purchasing and staffing exhibition space. The Aerospace Executive Service enables U.S. aerospace companies to familiarize themselves with this important trade fair, to conduct market research, and to explore export opportunities through pre-screened meetings with potential partners. The Aerospace Executive Service also allows U.S. companies to have a presence at the show, providing them with an enhanced image and level of engagement, an office infrastructure environment, and the support of knowledgeable Commercial Service staff and personal assistants focused on furthering company-specific objectives.
Mission Scenario:
The maximum number of participants is ten. ITA Aerospace Team members and other domestic office trade specialists will recruit and counsel prospective participants for the Australian International Airshow 2005 Aerospace Executive Service. Company information and literature will be forwarded by the companies to Commercial Service Sydney. That office and distributed for familiarization to a contractor in advance, whereupon he/she will begin the partner search, management and logistical coordination of the program.
Company literature and promotional material may will be shipped to Commercial Service Sydney or sent electronically. The USCS reserves the right to refuse No exhibition or larger demonstration items are appropriate and will not be permitted. Commercial Service staff and the contractor will be available for information and assistance throughout the duration of the Australian International Airshow. 2005 An Aerospace & Defense Technology Team member will be on-site through March 20th.
Timetable:
Participants will arrive in Melbourne according to their own schedule and will report to the Aerospace Executive Service program at the Australian International Airshow 2005 show site at the Avalon Airport, on March 15, 2005. Tuesday March 15 is the opening day of the show and will be an orientation day for the participants. Participants will be briefed by Commercial Service staff on program features and receive a country/regional briefing on market opportunities. The AES appointments will be scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday March 16 & 17 , at the show site . Group transport will be provided to the show for the duration of the trade days, March 15-18 (Tues – Fri ).
Trade specialists in domestic Commercial Service offices and the Commercial Service Sydney will support the recruitment. Promotion/recruitment will include, but not be limited to, publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, email to aerospace distribution lists and through posting on the International Trade Administration’s home page and in the Federal Register. Recruitment will close January 14, 2005.
Criteria for Participant Selection
A company’s products and/or services must be manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51% of the value of the finished good or service.
Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.
Contact information:
Commercial Service Aerospace & Defense Technology Team:
Eric Nielsen
Tucson US Export Assistance Center
255 West Alameda Street, 3 rd Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85711
Tel. 520-670-5540
Fax 520-791-5413
Email: eric.nielsen@mail.doc.gov
Patrick Hope
Rockford US Export Assistance Center
515 North Court Street
Rockford, Illinois 61103
Tel. 815-987-8123
Fax 815-963-7943
Email: patrick.hope@mail.doc.gov
Commercial Service Australia:
Phil Keeling
American Consulate General
Level 59, MLC Centre
19-29 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 61-2-9373-9209
Fax: 61-2-9221-0573
Email: Phil.Keeling@mail.doc.gov