Event Asian Aerospace International Expo and
Congress 2009
Venue AsiaWorld-Expo
Organiser Reed Exhibitions
Attendees 12,600
Date September 8-10
The brief
Asian Aerospace is a biennial commercial expo and congress. Organisers were keen to build on the two-way platform between Chinese manufacturers and western organisations established at the inaugural Hong Kong event in 2007, as well as to continue the development of the Asia Pacific market.
Challenges
The aviation industry has been significantly affected by the global economic downturn and there was some concern this would negatively impact both exhibitor and visitor numbers. Organisers had to ensure the speaker programme, exhibition and integrated events were especially relevant to the operating environment both now and going forward. Final figures showed there were about 400 exhibitors and an increase in visitors of 15 per cent.
Execution
A brass band welcomed visitors on the first day and the show daily was distributed by event staff dressed in flight crew uniforms. The static aircraft display was held at Hong Kong International Airport.
The main congress included more than 100 industry speakers over three days. There were also three integrated events and an associated congress, as well as two new half-day conferences in cooperation with the Asian Business Aircraft Association.
Exhibitors made a number of announcements to the press at special rooms beside the media centre inside the main exhibition hall. There were several lunches, dinners and networking events held at the nearby SkyCity Marriott Hotel.
Comment
“The venue provided customers and event staff with a clean facility, easy access and an environment that made it easy to meet and visit with customers, suppliers, partners and guests,” says Rob Laird, vice-president – China, East and Southeast Asia sales for Boeing.
“The organisers worked well with our event planners and met our needs. The combined cargo, interiors and training shows at the Expo increased customer participation and gave us more opportunity for networking and business.”