ChooseWashington Pavilion Opens for Business at Paris International Air Show
Aerospace Office Director Pietsch leads 50-member trade delegation seeking new business, investment and partnership opportunities at the industry’s premier trade show
Governor Inslee’s Aerospace Office Director Alex Pietsch and Washington Employment Security Commissioner Dale Peinecke today launched the state’s trade mission to the 2015 International Paris Air Show with a ribbon-cutting at the 700-square foot ChooseWashington Pavilion in Le Bourget, June 15-21.
The 2015 delegation includes 21 businesses, economic development leaders from around the state, and representatives of industry and education communities including the Aerospace Center of Excellence, University of Washington William E. Boeing Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, cities and ports. Exhibitors are profiled in our Air Show Directory on-line.
“We are looking forward to a very busy, exciting week here in Le Bourget,” said Aerospace Director Alex Pietsch. “Boeing and its suppliers have led a five-year surge in aerospace expansion investments in Washington State. Dozens of companies around the world are eager to serve the 777X and 737MAX programs, as well as emerging growth in space, UAVs and other segments of our aerospace industry.”
“This trip is about attracting more businesses and jobs to Washington,” said Commissioner Peinecke. “Washington’s workforce continues to grow with more than 3.5 million people in our workforce today. Our partners across the workforce system join forces every day to provide businesses everything they need to find the skilled workforce to compete in a global economy. From our education system to training programs to WorkSource, our top priority is connecting employers and job seekers.”
Over 1,350 companies make up Washington’s renowned aerospace industry supply chain, which today serves not only Boeing, but also Airbus and every other major aircraft manufacturer in the world. More than 132,500 workers support the aerospace industry in Washington.
“Commerce export assistance programs open doors to overseas customers, partners and new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses that otherwise do not have the resources to mount a significant presence at major international events such as the Paris Air Show,” Commerce Director Brian Bonlender said.
Suppliers that attended the 2013 Paris Air Show have generated over $35 million in new international sales, Bonlender said. The Commerce team and its foreign representatives work with delegates to pack schedules with pre-arranged business meetings and targeted introductions with executives from leading aerospace companies and organizations around the world, all of whom converge on Le Bourget, about one hour outside of Paris, for five days every other year.
“We have participated in the Paris Air Show and the Farnborough Air show only because of the Washington State Trade Missions. Without the benefit of being part of the larger contingent, we would not be able to afford to do either of these events,” said Frank Nichols, CEO of returning company Silicon Forest Electronics. “Not only is it dollars and cents, but having the staff of the mission assist in fielding questions at the stand while we are in meetings with potential customers gives a force multiplier effect.”
Silicon Forest, Renton Coil Spring, InVision Technology, Orion Industries, Nova-Tech, Industrial Machine Tool, Inc., Givon USA and BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. also used export vouchers available through Commerce to help cover some of their business costs to attend this year’s show.