According to Kallman Worldwide, which organized the U.S. International Pavilion here at MEBAA, “an incredible 27 percent of the exhibitors here are expected from the USA” —a count by AIN identified around 60 U.S. companies on the show exhibitor list, from 121 Inflight Catering to Wyvern, and including OEMs such as Boeing, General Dynamics (Gulfstream) and Textron. Visitors can easily find the U.S. pavilion thanks to two giant American flags hanging overhead.
“When American companies commit to exhibit at MEBAA, we’re saying we believe in the power of this event to attract real business prospects and customers,” said Kallman Worldwide president and CEO, Tom Kallman.
Exhibitors in the pavilion itself are primarily small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), and represent some 16 U.S. states. They are “looking to initiate or strengthen international partnerships that will generate new business and create more jobs back home,” said Kallman.
The U.S. pavilion organizer added that exhibitors represented “a cross-section of innovative equipment, products and services for owners and operators, including: maintenance tools and accessories, air ambulance, flight-safety training, aircraft lighting, catering, ground support equipment and financing.”
To drive more trade attendees to visit the U.S. pavilion exhibitors, Kallman is promoting its “Ask America” on-site advocacy campaign, promoted prominently around the pavilion, integrated into official events and media during the show, and highlighted in social media (you can follow on Twitter using @kallmanEWC).
“The interest we have seen from exhibitors for this year’s show is incredible,” said Ali Alnaqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association. “There really is an incredible appetite for business aviation in the Middle East. This has come to the attention of companies outside the region too. We are pleased to welcome so many exhibitors from the USA and further afield. They know that the MEBAA Show is the ideal place for the industry to meet and do business with professionals from the region and beyond.”
Kallman noted that the U.S. pavilion “gives companies exposure to the burgeoning Middle East market and to take advantage of the networking and business opportunities available, where they otherwise may not be able to.” He added that, “Key players know the business aviation industry in the Middle East is booming [centered on Dubai].”
UAE exhibitors, meanwhile, represent around 20 percent of exhibitors. A guide to U.S. International Pavilion Exhibitors is available at kallman.com/mebaa2016.
