Mission Statement

Aerospace Executive Service at the Australian International Airshow

Avalon Airport, (Melbourne) Australia

February 12-14, 2003

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.

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 enormous expense of purchasing and staffing booth space.

The Aerospace Executive Service package at the Australian International Airshow includes:

• Two days of pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with pre-screened companies (avg. 3/day)
• Roundtrip transportation (hotel to/from Airshow) for three days
• Hotel arrangements
• Access to phone and fax
• Gold Pass admission ticket to Airshow, including unique night airshow
• Literature display and meeting area
• Invitation to Breakfast Briefing with welcome kits
• Invitation to Exhibitor’s Reception

Commercial Setting:

The Australian International Airshow 2003: Future Directions in Aviation, Aerospace and Defense Technology, a biennial event, will be held from February 11-16 at Avalon Airport, between Melbourne and Geelong, Victoria. It will be one of the world’s most comprehensive airshows, and a major showcase for marketing aerospace and related defense technology, business and commercial aviation, airline, 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 2003 will provide an impressive focus for the world’s aerospace and aviation industries and a 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, and one of the busiest 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 fondness for 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 per cent or more. Projections from the Australian Bureau of Industry Economics indicate continued 10 percent growth in aircraft and parts through the year 2005.

Australia offers opportunities for American suppliers of both aircraft and parts. The U.S already enjoys a premier position in sales of aircraft, parts, avionics and ground support equipment and the outlook is for steady and sustained growth. There is a strong preference for U.S. produced equipment in all areas of aviation and aerospace in Australia.

Mission Goals:

The goal of the Aerospace Executive Service at the Australian International Airshow 2003 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. Access to Australia and other international markets and business partners is made possible through the Aerospace Executive Service in a manner which cannot be matched by simply attending the show as a visitor.

Mission Scenario:

The maximum number of participants is ten. Aerospace Team members and other domestic office trade specialists will recruit and counsel prospective participants for the Australian International Airshow 2003 Aerospace Executive Service. Company information and literature will be forwarded by the companies to Commercial Service Sydney.

An Aerospace & Defense Team member will arrive in Australia prior to the show. Participants will arrive in Australia on their own schedule and will report to the Aerospace Executive Service program at the Australian International Airshow 2003 show site at the Avalon Airport, on February 12, 2003. At this time, they will be briefed by Commercial Service staff on program features, receive a country/regional briefing on market opportunities, and later begin their series of meetings (avg. three meetings per day for two days).

Company literature and promotional material will be shipped to Commercial Service Sydney or sent electronically. 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 2003 and an Aerospace & Defense Technology Team member will be on-site through February 14th.

Timetable:

Participants will arrive according to their own schedules, and will assemble at the Aerospace Executive Service Program headquarters at the Australian International Airshow 2003 site on February 12th; the program will end February 13th, although transportation to the show and night fly event will be provided on the 14th.

Promotion/recruitment will include, but not be limited to, publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, mailings from internal mailing lists, Winfaxes to internal database aerospace clients, 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 3, 2003. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Criteria for Participant Selection:

• Acceptability of product area/sector for exhibition at the Australian International Airshow 2003 according to trade fair rules. Regulation information can be found at the Airshows Downunder website at http://www.airshow.net.au/.

• Timely receipt of company's completed application and participation agreement, and payment of the $1,725 participation fee.

• Timely and adequate provision of company and product/service information and literature, to enable communication of company’s objectives and scheduling of appointments.

• 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:

Aerospace & Defense Technology Team:

Diane Mooney
Pacific Northwest U.S. Export Assistance Center
2601 4th Avenue, Suite 320
Seattle, WA 98121

Tel. 206-553-7261
Fax 206-553-7253
Email: dmooney@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

Alternate:

Sean McAlister
Office of Aerospace
14th & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20030

Tel: 202-482-6239
Fax: 202-482-3113
E-mail: sean_mcalister@ita.doc.gov