Biggest-ever US presence at Paris Air Show 2023
Paris Air Show is expected to see a historic showing of US aerospace and aviation
Wit hits 2021 edition having been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, enthusiasm is mounting up in aviation and defence circles around the world as Paris Air Show stages a return next month.
One of the biggest foreign participations at the show, that will start on June 19 and last until June 25, is expected to be from the United States, according to a press statement issued by US aviation industry associations.
The statement adds that aviation and aerospace leaders expect a historic showing of US industry at this year’s Paris Air Show. Some 400 of the country’s leading OEMs and suppliers, the largest national presence ever, are slated to exhibit at the show’s Le Bourget Parc des Expositions site. Of those, more than 300 will be located in the 6,500 sqm USA Partnership Pavillion in Hall 3, organised for the 15th edition by Kallman Worldwide, says the statement.
More than half of Pavillion exhibitors are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees, reflecting the growing value and importance of these companies to the global supply chain, says Tom Kallman, President and CEO of Kallman Worldwide.
“SMEs are heroes of America’s export economy, and we work hard to make sure the Pavilion works for them. For example, long before they hit the show floor, we coordinate with the US Departments of Commerce, Defence, State, Transportation, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, to help ensure our SME exhibitors have the funding, market intelligence, and logistical support they need to compete and win at Le Bourget,” Kallman says.
The statement adds that the US Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), a partner of the USA Partnership Pavillion with 29 association member companies on board as exhibitors, is a leading advocate for the critical role SMEs play in America’s economy and national security.
“AIA’s participation in the USA Partnership Pavillion at Paris underscores our commitment to engage with worldwide beneficiaries of American civil aviation, space, and defense products,” says AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning.
‘‘The Pavillion also provides us the opportunity to highlight that small- and medium-sized companies in the supply chain represent more than half of the value of all US aerospace and defense exports, reaching more than 200 countries. They are our industry’s and our country’s essential exporters,” adds Fanning.
The statement goes on to describe severeal special interest areas within the Pavillion that it says will further sharpen the focus on SMEs. It says that 17 state departments of economic development and commerce will host their own state-branded pavillions featuring state-based small businesses.
The statement adds that a new “Made in the USA” SME Zone, created in collaboration with State International Development Organisations (SIDO), will feature 18 companies representing seven states. SIDO is the only national organisation focused on supporting governors’ international trade agendas by serving and representing the 50 state trade agencies to the federal government, says the statement.
Kallmann adds that 16 American start-up companies will also participate in the show’s “Start-Me-Up Zone,” a programme introduced by organisers SIAE in 2019 to help qualifying startups stretch their show budgets.
“The SIDO “Made in the USA” SME Zone provides a unique platform for states and businesses to participate in one of the most important international trade shows in the world. SMEs can collaborate and utilise our resources to execute their international sales and grow US exports. We are honoured to partner with Kallman Worldwide on this event,” says Andy Karellas, Executive Director at SIDO.
