The USA Partnership Pavilion is hosting a majority of the 140 U.S. companies exhibiting this week at the Dubai Airshow—a number that exemplifies America’s growing role as the Middle East’s leading aerospace and defense supplier. These exhibitors hail from 25 U.S. states, including four state pavilions, and reflect the largest international contingent at the show.
According to the U.S. Commercial Service, the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the UAE has been the top U.S. export market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for the past 10 years and is thus a critical regional hub for 1,500 American companies. It is the third-largest arms market for the U.S.—the world’s top defense supplier—behind only Australia and Saudi Arabia, the agency added.
Organized by Kallman Worldwide, the Pavilion is America’s headquarters this week at the airshow, providing a location for buyers to meet more U.S. suppliers, a professional business center for U.S. exhibitors to maximize exposure and impact, and a forum to share ideas and insights. This year, the USA Partnership Pavilion has expanded its footprint to 3,517 square meters, supporting 92 participating companies—15 of which are first-time Dubai Airshow exhibitors.
To highlight the partnership between the U.S. and the UAE, the USA Partnership Pavilion will host the first Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Awards in association with the UAE Space Agency on Monday. The program was announced in June at the Paris Air Show by Kallman and Worden, pilot of the Apollo 15 command module “Endeavour,” to inspire young people to pursue their dreams through STEM education.
This scholarship will send selected students and educators to experience a week of astronaut training at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. The Dubai awards to four Emirati students and two educators are the first in the inaugural schedule, which is planned through the summer of 2021.
In addition, the USA Partnership Pavilion will host a schedule of executive presentations and conversations with government, military, and industry thought-leaders, including new U.S. FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.