Mission Statement

Aerospace Executive Service at
Latin America Aero Defence (LAAD) 2007
& Aviation Expo 07

April 17 –20, 2007 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Event Description:

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service will organize an Aerospace Executive Service (AES) trade mission to the Latin America Aero Defence 2007 (LAAD) and Aviation Expo 07, both to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

April 17-20, 2007. The Aerospace Executive Service mission offers an opportunity for U.S. aerospace-industry manufacturers and service providers to tap into the aerospace market in Latin America by visiting LAAD 2007, without the considerable cost of exhibiting. Participants will also benefit from individualized, pre-screened appointments at the Rio Centro trade show location with agents, distributors, and end-users whose capabilities are targeted to each U.S. participants’ requirements. LAAD 2007, a U.S. Department of Commerce certified trade fair, will take place in Rio de Janeiro at the Rio Centro, April 17-20, 2007 and for the first time be held concurrently with Aviation Expo 07, the international business-to-business event for airline procurement decision makers. LAAD features equipment and services for the paramilitary, internal security and Special Forces, as well as state of the art equipment and services for all military branches in Latin America. Visitors include military, aerospace, and defense decision makers from throughout Latin American and the world. In 2005, 301 companies from 38 countries involved in supplying equipment to all three armed forces, special forces, security services, government agencies, consulting companies and specialist media exhibited a wide range of commercial, military aerospace, ground support equipment and services. Companies participating in the AES mission will have exhibitor access to the trade shows, a product literature display at LAAD, country briefings and logistical support during the event.

Commercial Setting:

Brazil’s military expenditures in 2006 were approximately US$15 billion. Latin America's defense market represents a growing business for aerospace & defense manufacturers highlighted by opportunities for:

• ISR (Intelligence surveillance reconnaissance) aircraft capable of operating in defense and homeland security roles
• Light aircraft for training and armed missions
• Equipment for armored forces on peacekeeping missions (personal protective equipment helmets, bulletproof vests, shields, etc), non-lethal weapons, logistics systems (equipment for distribution, storage, field hospitals)
• C31 & C41 systems for defense and security
• Armored combat vehicle fleet renewal, especially wheeled variety
• Aircraft parts and components for fleet maintenance
• Modernization and expansion of existing antiaircraft defense system
• Patrol ships with ocean going capabilities
• Submarine building, and others

In Brazil, the armed forces are continuing to modernize their equipment and systems, and are expected to receive priority financial support to address its most urgent requirements. Further, Latin American countries are participating in United Nations-sponsored peace keeping and disaster relief missions throughout the world, opening additional procurement requirements.

Latin America has optimum business and trading opportunities for the aviation industry. The $1.2 million demand for air transportation in Latin America is generating business opportunities in aircraft and related products and services such as: line maintenance, MRO components shop, general tools, aviation special tools, ground support equipment, airframe hardware, composites, and others.

Mission Goals:

The goal of the Aerospace Executive Service at LAAD 2007 is to facilitate an effective presence for small to medium-sized companies that may not yet be ready to incur the major expenses associated with purchasing and staffing exhibition space. The Aerospace Executive Service enables U.S. aerospace companies to familiarize themselves with important aerospace trade fairs, to conduct market research, and to explore export opportunities through pre-screened meetings with potential partners. The Aerospace Executive Service also allows U.S. companies to have a presence at the show, providing them with an enhanced image and level of engagement. Knowledgeable Commercial Service staff who focus on furthering company-specific objectives will support companies during the entire event.

Mission Scenario:

The Aerospace Executive Service at LAAD and Aviation Expo ’07 will formally begin on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 with a company briefing and visit to the trade shows. Wednesday, April 18 through Friday, April 20th, AES participating companies will benefit from at least 8 pre-screened matchmaking meetings with prospective distributors and end users arranged by the U.S. Commercial Service Brazil. When not in appointments during these days, participants can use their official show entry passes to attend the LAAD and Aviation Expo exhibition area, visit the show floor and hold their own independently scheduled follow up meetings. U.S. Commercial Service staff will be available at the show to assist, as necessary. Each company will also be listed in the Latin America Aero & Defense 2007 and Aviation Expo Exhibitor’s Directory. The location for the pre-screened meetings will be private meeting rooms at Rio Centro, the location of the LAAD and Aviation Expo shows. Ground transportation, interpreter and Commercial Services staff support will be provided to AES participants, as well as coordination of hotel arrangements. AES participants will also have their product literature displayed in the Commercial Service booth at the show and benefit from U.S. exhibitor resources including a U.S. exhibitor briefing. No exhibition or larger demonstration items and will be permitted, unless the AES participating company separately purchases exhibitor booth space directly from Reed Expo.

Timetable:

Criteria for Participant Selection

Target recruitment for the AES Program is 6 companies. Each applicant to the program will be screened for the following:

• Relevance of a company’s business line to mission goals.
• Potential for business in Latin America for the company.
• Minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 participating companies in the mission.
• Provision of adequate information on company’s products and/or services, and company’s primary market objectives, in order to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners.
• Certification that the company meets Departmental guidelines for participation. A company’s products or services must be either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51 percent U.S. content of the value of the finished product or service.
• Acceptability of product area/sector for exhibition at the Latin America Aero & Defence 2007 show and/or Aviation Expo according to trade fair rules. Regulation information can be found at the shows website at http://www.lad-online.com
• Timeliness of company’s signed application and participation agreement including fee of $3,500.00 plus $500 for each additional company representative.

Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register posting on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar - www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html - and other Internet websites, publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, mailings from internal mailing lists, winfaxes to internal database aerospace clients, email to aerospace distribution lists, through posting in the Federal Register, and at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, trade shows, etc. The AES Program will also be promoted by USCS and by ITA Aerospace & Defense Technology Team members in U.S. Export Assistance Centers.

Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Recruitment for the mission will begin in January 2007 and conclude no later than March 1, 2007. The mission will target 6 of companies. The participation fee for the event will be $3,500.00 per company, plus $500 for any additional company representative. The participation fee does not include travel and lodging costs. Applications received after the closing date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contact information:

Daniele Andrews
U.S. Commercial Service - Brasilia
Senior Commercial Specialist
Aerospace, Defense, Aviation Team Leader
Tel: 55-61-3312-7458
Fax: 55-61-3312-7656
Email: daniele.andrews@mail.doc.gov

Gernard Burity
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Rio de Janeiro
Phone: (55 21) 3823-2401
Fax: (55 21) 2240-9738
E-mail: genard.burity@mail.doc.gov

Amy Magat
Downtown Los Angeles USEAC
444 South Flower Street, 34 th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tel: (213) 894-3966
Fax: (213) 894-1197
Email: Amy.Magat@mail.doc.gov