Aerospace Executive Service (AES) Program

Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress

Hong Kong

September 2-4, 2007

Mission Statement

Mission Description :   The U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Aerospace & Defense Technologies Team and U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (CS) and its office in Hong Kong will organize an Aerospace Executive Service (AES) matchmaking mission to The Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress 2007 on September 2-4, 2007.

The AES matchmaking mission will include representatives from a variety of U.S. aerospace-industry manufacturers and service providers.   These mission participants will be introduced to international agents, distributors and end-users whose capabilities are targeted to each U.S. participants’ needs in that particular market.  

Commercial Setting:   Asian Aerospace , Asia’s premier aerospace event for the past 25 years, was last held in Singapore in February 2006.   In 2007, the exhibition will be held in Hong Kong for the first time.   The organizers tout a renewed focus on commercial aerospace, as exemplified by the exhibition’s new name “ Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress.”   The event will be staged from September 3-6, 2007 at the new AsiaWorld-Expo complex adjacent to the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).  

In 2006, Asian Aerospace recorded deals in excess of US$15 billion, four and a half times the amount recorded during the last event in 2004.   The cumulative order book, mainly in the commercial sector, included approximately 40 aerospace deals ranging from major fixed and rotary wing aircraft to engine purchases; sales of aircraft simulators and avionics packages to Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organizations; aerospace supply chain management and consultancy contracts; and others.   Asian Aerospace 2006 attracted 940 exhibitors from 43 countries, and 153 delegations from 44 countries. The event also saw over 34,300 trade participants from 89 countries, including first-time major participation by visitors from China.  

Mission Goals : The goal of the AES at Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress 2007 is to facilitate an effective presence for small- and medium-sized companies, without requiring them to incur the major expenses associated with purchasing and staffing exhibition space.  

The AES will enable U.S. aerospace companies to familiarize themselves with this important trade fair, to conduct market research, and to explore export opportunities through pre-arranged meetings with potential partners. The AES will also allow U.S. companies to have a presence at the show in the form of an AES mini-display and meeting area, providing them with an enhanced image and level of engagement.   AES participants will be supported by knowledgeable CS specialists familiar with the firms’ objectives.  

Mission Scenario:   CS trade specialists and particularly members of the Aerospace & Defense Technology Team will recruit and counsel prospective participants for the AES at the Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress 2007.   Company information and literature will be forwarded by the companies to CS Hong Kong, which will begin the partner search in advance of the show and begin management and logistical coordination of the program.   Participants are encouraged to display company literature in the AES mini display and meeting area.   No exhibition or larger demonstration items will be permitted.    U.S. participants will be contacted for coordination purposes prior to the mission and will be assisted by CS staff and the AES coordinator throughout the duration of the AES at Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress 2007.   Prior to the end of the AES program, CS staff will advise and counsel participants on appropriate follow-up procedures.

Participation in the AES Program will include:

• Pre-show briefing;
• Transportation between Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress 2007 and AES hotel (identified as Sheraton Kowloon) on September 3 and 4;
• Pre-arranged meetings with potential partners, distributors, and/or end-users over the course of two days ;
• One show entry pass per company representative;
• One invitation per company to official reception and other Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress 2007 networking events as appropriate;
• Access to exhibitor amenities;   
• AES mini-display and meeting area to display company literature and graphics;  
• Copy of the official Asian Aerospace International Expo & Congress 2007 Exhibitor’s Directory;
• Meetings with aerospace and defense industry specialists from U.S. Embassies and Consulates and their delegations;
• On-site AES program coordinator.

Timetable :   Participants will arrive in Hong Kong on their own schedule and will meet on Sunday afternoon, September 2, 2007 at the Sheraton Kowloon.  

Recruitment for the mission is to begin immediately and conclude no later than Friday, July 13, 2007.   Target recruitment for the AES Program is eight companies, and applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.   Applications received after July 13 will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Criteria for Participant Selection:   Each applicant to the program will be screened for the following:

• Relevance of the company’s business line to the mission’s goals.
• Acceptability of product area/sector for exhibition in Asian Aerospace according to the trade fair rules, which can be found at www.asianaerospace.com.
• Timeliness of company’s signed application and participation agreement including fee of $3,200 plus $700 for each additional company representative.*
• Provision of adequate information on company’s products and/or services, and company’s primary market objectives.
• Timely and adequate provision of company marketing materials, in order to enable communication of company’s objectives and scheduling of business appointments.
• A company’s products or services must be produced in the United States or, if not, be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51% U.S. content of the value of the finished product/service.  

*Cost does not include most meals, lodging, or airfare.

Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including posting on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar - www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html - and other Internet websites, publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, mailings from internal mailing lists, email to aerospace distribution lists, through posting in the Federal Register, and at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, trade shows, etc. The AES Program will also be promoted by the entire CS organization.

Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Contact information :