U.S. Pavilion organizer Kallman Worldwide is urging Paris Air Show visitors to “Ask America First” in its new marketing campaign launched here at Le Bourget this week. Show visitors will certainly have ample opportunity to view the full array of U.S. aerospace and defense capabilities at the Pavilion in Hall 3, since more than two-thirds of American companies at this year’s show–230 out of the 320 total–are represented there.
This morning at 10 a.m., a veritable A-list of top U.S. government officials is expected to participate in the official opening of the Pavilion, including transportation secretary Anthony Foxx and air force secretary Deborah Lee James. The roster will also include as many as 20 elected officials, including the governors of seven states and development agencies from 19 states. On Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., James will discuss U.S. Air Force requirements.
Kallman Worldwide president Tom Kallman told AIN that 2015 participation in the U.S. Pavilion is the strongest since 2001. “We were able to obtain eight percent more space from the Paris organizers and we’ve sold all of this,” he said. “I’d say the profile of exhibitors this year is tipped somewhat towards commercial aviation, reflecting supply chain demand.”
The Pavilion’s website, www.parisairshow.com, allows show visitors to quickly search for U.S. companies, and they can do this readily on mobile devices. It also has developed a so-called “Hot 100” list to highlight leading events and profiled exhibitors.
“Small companies can cast a disproportionately large shadow here,” said Kallman. “But exhibiting can be daunting and we can help them to show off their best. We like to say to them that we’re their insurance policy against a bad experience.”
The Paris show’s public days, June 20 and 21, will feature a special Aerogare USA event at the U.S. Pavilion, which will feature presentations by former Apollo 15 astronaut Al Warden. This will have a strong emphasis on attracting families and young people to get a flavor for America’s aerospace community.