AFA - Aerospace Forum Asia

Asian Aerospace 2007 Briefing
Presentation by Clive Richardson, Reed Exhibitions
23 & 24 March 2006
Reported by Keith Wallis

"SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE"
THE PROMISE OF ASIAN AEROSPACE IN HONG KONG, 3-6 SEPTEMBER 2007

Detailed planning is well underway to make Hong Kong's first Asian Aerospace show in September 2007 a simply irresistible event, according to Clive Richardson, Senior Vice President of Reed Exhibitions, the event’s organiser.

He spoke on Thursday, 23 March at the FCC and Friday 24 March to around 80 AFA members and guests. The second event at Hong Kong's newest "irresistible" exhibition location, the AsiaWorld-Expo at Hong Kong International Airport, which will host "Asian Aerospace" 3-6 September 2007.

Guests, including many who experienced the convenience of travelling on the Airport Express train direct to AsiaWorld-Expo, heard Aerospace Forum Asia President Martin Craigs enthusiastically compare the centre’s fast-track transport and registration with the almost unbearable drudge of travel/security at Farnborough, Paris, and Singapore; the traditional Air Shows. Mr. Craigs said Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong will set a new 21st century standard for convenience and cost effective networking. "Neither buyers nor sellers want to spend three to four hours a day getting into and out of a major aviation expo".

Mr. Richardson told last week’s lunchtime gatherings which included consular representatives and Cathay, Dragonair, HK Express, Airbus and Boeing representatives, that Yang Yuanyuan, Director of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) has confirmed in a letter his strong support.

At the same time organisations such as the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, Airports Council International and the International Air Transport Association will be encouraged to lend their support.

Outlining progress so far, Mr. Richardson said Asian Aerospace had been changed to a four-day business-to-business event that includes a three-day congress that will focus on industry topics such as training, maintenance and airport infrastructure.

There will be an exhibition area at the Business Aviation Centre for aircraft up to Embraer-size, while discussions are underway to agree customer demonstration flights and a static area for larger aircraft.

Mr. Richardson believed visitors and exhibitors would welcome the "political neutrality" of the Hong Kong event.

After lunch, visitors were also treated to a tour of Hong Kong’s newest "irresistible" exhibition location, the 70,000 sq. m. AsiaWorld-Expo at Hong Kong International Airport, where the Asian Aerospace show will be held.

AsiaWorld-Expo Chief Executive Nicolas Borit, indefatigable after numerous interviews with lawmakers and the media during the years it took to get the exhibition centre off the ground, said 35 large industry events will be held at the complex this year.

Illustrating the importance the Airport Authority and MTR Corporation attach to the complex, Mr. Borit can whistle up trains at a few minutes notice that are on standby to transport people home after particularly large events (8,000 moved in 20 minutes after recent Oasis concert!).

Members and guests were also treated to the local premier of a video showing Hong Kong’s attractions as an aviation hub, business centre and tourist destination that summed up why Hong Kong is the irresistible location for Asian Aerospace.