Mission Statement

Aerospace Executive Service at

 Latin America Aero & Defence (LAAD) 2005

Fifth International Exhibition & Conference on Defense Technology

and Helitech Latin America 2005

April 26-29, 2005 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Event Description :

The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) Aerospace & Defense Technologies Team and the U.S. Commercial Service Brazil will organize an Aerospace Executive Service (AES) trade mission to Latin America Aero & Defence 2005 (LAAD) and Helitech Latin America, both to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil April 26-29, 2005.

The Aerospace Executive Service matchmaking mission will include representatives from a variety of U.S. aerospace-industry manufacturers and service providers.   These mission participants will benefit from individualized, pre-screened appointments at the Riocentro trade show location with agents, distributors, and end-users whose capabilities are targeted to each U.S. participants’ requirements.    Participating companies will also benefit from exhibitor access to the trade shows, a product literature display at LAAD, country briefings and logistical support during the trade mission program.

Latin America's defense market represents a growing business for aerospace manufacturers highlighted by opportunities for new and upgraded fighters, surveillance and patrol platforms, air-to-air tankers and counter-insurgency/anti-narcotics equipment. Latin American military expenditures are estimated to gradually increase from $28 billion in 2003 to $32.2 billion by 2005.   The combination of LAAD and Helitech Latin America broadens the opportunities for U.S. companies to benefit from AES participation.   Helitech is the largest helicopter trade show in Latin America, with Brazil the region’s largest helicopter market and Sao Paulo as the site of the world’s third largest helicopter fleet.

Commercial Setting:

Latin America Aero & Defence (LAAD) 2005, in its fifth biennial year and a certified U.S. Department of Commerce trade show, will take place in Rio de Janeiro at the Riocentro, April 26-29, 2005 and for the first time be held concurrently with Helitech Latin America – International Helicopter Technology & Operations Exhibition.

LAAD features equipment and services for the paramilitary, internal security and special forces, as well as state of the art equipment and services to the conventional armed forces of Latin America.   Visitors include military, aerospace, and airline decision makers from throughout Latin American and the world.    In 2003, 250 companies from 26 countries exhibited a wide range of commercial and military aerospace and ground support equipment and services including: aerospace materials and interiors, airport ground support equipment, aircraft maintenance services and equipment, avionics and radar systems, simulators and training equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Latin America's defense market represents a growing business for aerospace manufacturers. Some of the main interests are for new and upgraded fighters, surveillance and patrol platforms, air-to-air tankers and counter-insurgency/anti-narcotics equipment.   Latin American military expenditures are estimated to gradually increase from $28 billion in 2003 to $32.2 billion by 2005 . In addition, Latin American governments plan to introduce new and updated systems. Specifically Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Chile are able to participate in new procurements in the areas of nuclear-powered submarine capability, counter-insurgency operations against guerillas and illicit drug crops, counter-narcotics, and the acquisition of tanker aircraft for in-flight refueling.      

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

In 2005, Helitech Latin America – International Helicopter Technology & Operations Exhibition will be held together with LAAD 2005.   Helitech is the largest helicopter trade show in Latin America, as appropriate given Brazil role as the region’s largest helicopter market and Sao Paulo as the site of the world’s third largest helicopter fleet.     Helitech features manufactures of helicopters, avionics, parts and accessories for commercial, police and military applications and is open only to industrial and military professional visitors and private helicopter owners who are active in the aerospace, rotary wing and defense industry.    In 2002, Helitech featured 59 exhibitors covering a wide range of helicopter related equipment and services from components and communications, to specialized applications such as oil & gas and forestry, to helicopter maintenance and service.

Mission Goals :

The goal of the Aerospace Executive Service at Latin America Aero & Defence 2005 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. The U.S. companies are supported by knowledgeable Commercial Service staff who are focused on furthering their company-specific objectives.   Access to Brazil and other international markets and business partners is made possible through the Aerospace Executive Service in a manner that cannot be matched by simply attending the show as a visitor.

Mission Scenario :

The Aerospace Executive Service at LAAD and Helitech Latin America will formally begin on Tuesday, April 26, 2005 with a company briefing and visit to the trade shows on this opening day.   On Wednesday, April 27 through Friday, April 29th, AES participating companies will benefit from 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 attend the LAAD and Helitech exhibition area to visit the show floor and hold their own independently scheduled follow up meetings, with U.S. Commercial Service staff available at the show to assist, as necessary.   The location for the pre-screened meetings will be private meeting rooms at Riocentro, the location of the LAAD and Helitech shows.    Ground transportation, interpreter and Commercial Services staff support will be provided to AES participants.    AES participants will have full exhibitor credentials at the LAAD and Helitech trade shows, 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.   

The Aerospace Executive Service package at Latin America Aero & Defence 2005 includes :

• Minimum of 6 pre-scheduled meetings over three days (April 27-29) with potential partners, agents and buyers
• Official show entry passes & listing in Latin America Aero & Defence 2005 and Helitech Exhibitor’s Directory
• Formal Brazil aerospace market briefing hosted by the U.S. Embassy
• Company product literature will be displayed in the U.S. pavilion
• On-site Aerospace Executive Service program coordination
• Logistical support (interpreter for pre-scheduled meetings, ground transportation to/from show each day, coordination of hotel arrangements)

Timetable :

Recruitment for the mission will begin in January 2005 and will close on March 1, 2005.    Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Criteria for Participant Selection

Target recruitment for the AES Program is 8-10 companies.   Each applicant to the program will be screened for the following:

• Relevance of the company’s business line to the mission’s goals.
• Acceptability of product area/sector for exhibition at the Latin America Aero & Defence 2005 show and/or Helitech Latin America 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 $2700 plus $500 for each additional company representative.
• Timely and adequate provision of company and product/service information and literature, in order to enable communication of company’s objectives and scheduling of business appointments.
• 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.

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.

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% U.S. content of the value of the finished product/service.

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 2005 and conclude no later than March 1, 2005. The mission will target 8-10 of companies. The participation fee for the event will be $2700 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 :

Julia Rauner-Guerrero
Senior International Trade Specialist
U.S. Department of Commerce
Export Assistance Center – San Diego
6363 Greenwich Drive, Suite 230
San Diego, CA 92122
Tel:   619-557-2963
Fax: 619-557-6176
Email: Julia.rauner.guerrero@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

Daniele Andrews
U.S. Commercial Service - Brasilia
Senior Commercial Specialist
Tel:   55-61-312-7458
Fax: 55-61-312-7656
Email:   Daniele.Andrews@mail.doc.gov

Gernard Burity
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Rio de Janeiro
Phone: (55 21) 2292-7117 Ext 2401 or (55 21) 3823-2401
Fax: (55 21) 2240-9738
E-mail: genard.burity@mail.doc.gov