AERO to be an Annual Event
The aviation industry has reacted extremely positively to the decision to hold AERO on an annual basis. Industry experts say that Messe Friedrichshafen “did the right thing and took a bold step” when it decided to make the International Trade Exhibition for General Aviation an annual event starting in 2009. This business platform at Lake Constance is a strategically important exhibition for general aviation in Europe. For years, exhibitors have been talking about the possibility of making AERO an annual show and surveys have shown that a large majority of companies represented at the exhibition favor an annual format.
“This is a wise decision for the future that will significantly influence exhibitions in general aviation,” commented Oliver Kloth, Sales Director Global Aerospace Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, Hanover, Germany. Aircraft manufacturer Cessna - for years one of the largest exhibitors at the international aviation show - has already signed up for AERO 2009 and substantially increased the size of its stand. According to AERO project directors, other leading exhibitors have already announced major increases in stand space.
In order to further develop the successful AERO concept at the venue in Friedrichshafen, trade show organizers have strongly focused on bringing international partners on board: “The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the IAOPA and other international organizations will play an important role in further developing AERO,” emphasizes Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen.
“We are happy to learn that AERO will become an annual show,” explains Tom Poberezny, President of the EAA. “It’s an outstanding general aviation event that serves the new light sport aircraft (LSA) category very well, especially with the global growth that we are seeing. EAA looks forward to participating at AERO in the future, and working with them on programs of mutual benefit.”
In addition to bringing on board international organizations, the air show at Lake Constance is pursuing a range of ambitious objectives: AERO Friedrichshafen intends to grow further in important strategic general aviation submarkets such as business aviation and light aircraft (for example, the LSA class). Over the medium term, the proportion of international exhibitors and visitors should rise to around 60 percent. To make it easier for exhibitors and visitors to plan ahead, trade show organizers have already set the dates for AERO until 2015.