To provide a high value-added means of participating in Farnborough International Air Show 2000, Europe's second largest biennial aerospace exhibition, to small and medium-sized companies that choose not to incur the expense of purchasing and staffing exhibition space.

The Commercial Service (CS) United Kingdom, the Show Case Europe Team and the CS Aerospace and Defense team, in cooperation with Trade Development's Office of Aerospace, are organizing the Aerospace Executive Service (AES) at Farnborough International Air Show 2000. Farnborough International Air Show 2000 is Europe's second leading showcase, after the Paris Air Show, of commercial and military aircraft components, maintenance equipment, defense systems and airport equipment/systems. In 1998, the show attracted 1,325 exhibitors from 32 countries, and over 170,000 visitors.

The AES affords lower-cost access to small and medium-sized businesses by allowing them to participate in Europe's second largest aerospace exposition without taking on the enormous expense of purchasing and staffing booth space. An innovative alternative to exhibiting, the AES consists of a package of services including:

• Three days of pre-scheduled meetings with potential partners, agents and buyers
• Official show entry passes
• Official Farnborough International Air Show 2000 Exhibitor's Directory
• Invitation to U.S. Ambassador's Reception at the U.S. Embassy
• Farborough International Air Show 2000 AES program reception
• Pre- and post-show counseling, formal market briefing at show
• Base of operations and access to all amenities in selected U.S. Pavilion including shared office suite, equipment, services, and lounge;
• Coordination with aerospace industry specialists/contractor, and;
• On-site AES Program coordination.

The AES at Farnborough International Air Show 2000 will be staffed by CS United Kingdom personnel, and/or contractor and a domestic Aerospace and Defense Team member, who may accompany participating companies.

 Commercial Setting

Farnborough International Air Show 2000 is Europe's second largest aerospace and defense technology exhibition and airshow, bringing the world's main players in aviation and defense technologies to the United Kingdom. It offers not only the unsurpassed forum for access to the market in the United Kingdom but is also a truly international exhibition and an excellent means to explore virtually all European markets, as well as other foreign markets.

Due to the fact that the Farnborough International Air Show 2000 attracts buyers and experts in the aerospace industry from all ends of the globe, it serves as a barometer of trends, an indispensable source of market information, and a most efficient tool for establishing contacts and selling or preparing for international sales.

The goal of the AES at the Farnborough International Air Show 2000 is to facilitate a productive presence for SMEs without incurring the major expenses associated with purchasing and staffing exhibition space. The AES enables U.S. aerospace companies to familiarize themselves with this important trade fair, to conduct market research, and to explore export opportunities through pre-screened meetings with potential partners. The AES also allows U.S. companies to have a presence at the show, providing them with an enhanced image and level of engagement, an office infrastructure environment, and the support of knowledgeable CS staff from both the domestic and overseas service and/or a contractor focused on furthering company-specific objectives. Access to the United Kingdom, European and other international markets and business partners is made possible through the AES in a manner which cannot be matched by simply attending the show as a visitor.

Mission Scenario:

Upon approval, Export Assistance Center trade specialists and particularly members of the CS Aerospace & Defense Technology Team will recruit and counsel up to 10 prospective participants for the Farnborough International Air Show 2000 AES. Company information and literature will be forwarded by the companies to CS United Kingdom/Showcase Europe posts and distributed for familiarization to post/a contractor in advance, whereupon he/she will begin the partner search, management and logistical coordination of the program. The target is to provide 9 pre-arranged one-on-one meetings over the course of the first three days of the show.

The CS Aerospace & Defense Team member assigned to the AES will arrive in London prior to the show to assist the CS/London designated contractor. Participants will arrive in the United Kingdom on their own schedule and will report to the AES program at the designated site of the first day of meetings, on Monday, July 24th. At this time, they will be briefed by CS staff on program features, and receive a country/regional briefing on market opportunities.

Company literature and promotional material will either be shipped to CS United Kingdom or brought by the participant to the show. No exhibition or larger demonstration items are permitted or appropriate. CS staff and/or the contractor will be available for information and assistance throughout the duration of Farnborough International Air Show 2000, and the CS Aerospace & Defense Technology Team member assigned to the AES will be on-site during the course of the show.

Additional, third country posts (Showcase Europe) organizing buyer groups will be advised of the AES and desired meetings arranged. The CS information booth/display in the selected USA Pavilion will promote and refer interested parties to AES participants. AES participants will all receive invitations to an Ambassador's Reception. The Ambassador's Reception will bring together the ten AES participants, pre-qualified companies selected through the match-making process and appropriate U.S. and other government officials. Prior to the participants' departure, CS staff will advise and counsel on appropriate follow-up actions to be taken.

Timetable:

Participants arrive according to their own schedules, but all assemble at the AES Program headquarters at the show on Monday, July 24th. The one-on-one meetings will take place the first three days of the show. The AES program will end on Wednesday, July 26th.

Farnborough International Air Show 2000 AES participation promotion will be conducted by CS United Kingdom, Showcase Europe posts and primarily by CS Aerospace & Defense Technology Team members in Export Assistance Centers. Promotion/recruitment will include, but not be limited to, publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, mailings from internal mailing lists, Winfaxes to CMS aerospace clients and through posting on ITA's home page and in the Federal Register. Recruitment will close Friday, June 1, 2000.

Conditions for AES participation:

• Acceptability of product area/sector for exhibition at Farnborough International Air Show 2000 according to trade fair rules.
• Timely and adequate provision of company and product/service information and literature, to enable communication of company's objectives and scheduling of appointments.
• Certification that the company meets Departmental guidelines for participation, including certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51% of the value of the finished good or service.
• Timely submission of a completed application, payment of the $ 2,475 participation fee, and submisison of the participation agreement, and certifications.

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

 Contact information:

CS Aerospace & Defense Technology Team:

Roderick A. Hirsch

Long Beach USEAC

One World Trade Center, Suite 1670

Long Beach, CA 90831

Tel.: (562) 980-4566

Fax: (562) 980-4561

Email: Rod.Hirsch@mail.doc.gov

CS United Kingdom

Colin Moore

Commercial Service

U.S. Embassy

24/31 Grosvenor Sq.

W. 1A 1AE

London, United Kingdom

Tel.: 011-171-408-8019

Fax: 011-171-408-8020

Email: colin.moore@mail.doc.gov

* Note: renamed Aerospace Executive Service (AES)