A Friendly Foreign Invasion

A record number of foreign delegations will be attending next month’s Australian International Airshow at Avalon. So far, 34 delegations from 29 nations have registered for the event with that number expected to increase during the next fortnight. The Manager of Airshow Protocol, Ron Tayles, says the level of international interest in the Airshow and its associated Aerospace Expo is greater than ever before. “We’ve attracted a record number of foreign missions from a record number of countries”, he said. The largest of these are the military, trade and government delegations from the United States. They will comprise senior defence personnel, aerospace industry leaders and government trade officials.

Other countries sending official missions include the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and the People’s Republic of China. Mainland Europe will also be well represented with delegations from Germany, Italy, Russia and France. Sub Continent countries India and Pakistan will also be sending delegations to the Airshow, as will their Middle Eastern neighbors Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. “Many countries will be sending more than one delegation to the Airshow”, Mr. Tayles said. “They will cover the gamut of military, bureaucratic and scientific interests”. “Many of the delegations will be headed by senior members of the military, key industry executives and leading scientists and engineers. They will vary in size from just three or four delegates to larger groups of 20 or more”, Mr. Tayles said.

While in Australia many of these delegates will explore a wide range of networking and business opportunities with local aerospace and defence-related companies. “Our visiting official delegations certainly do a great deal to enhance the prestige of our Aerospace Expo. Their presence also provides the opportunity for our locally-based exhibitors to showcase their technologies and services before an international audience”.

Many visiting delegates will take time out after their official commitments to experience the tourist delights of the Geelong Otway region. These include the superb beaches of the Surf Coast, Geelong’s award-winning vineyards and the many points of historic and cultural interest. (AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW)