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Idaho Delegation Exceeds Expectations at the International Paris Air Show

Eleven Idaho companies exhibited in Paris with Governor Otter

An Idaho delegation led to the Paris Air Show by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter in June is on track to be the most successful trade show organized by the Idaho Department of Commerce to date, with an estimated $1,030,000 in revenue already generated. Governor Otter and a team from Commerce were joined by representatives from 11 Idaho-based companies in the aerospace industry.

“In less than three weeks since we were in Paris, this incredible success is exactly the outcome that we hoped for,” Governor Otter said. “It is a true testament to how critical participating in international trade shows and missions is to the continued growth of our Idaho companies.”

“The aerospace industry is a major focus in Idaho, so when we have a huge success like these sales numbers from our show’s attendees, we know that we made the right decision to attend the Paris Air Show,” Commerce Director Megan Ronk said. “Having Governor Otter along reinforces the point that Idaho is business-friendly, our high-level officials truly care about the success of our economy and individual businesses, and we should be taken seriously in the global market.”

The Paris Air Show is the world’s oldest and largest aerospace exposition, and the Department of Commerce was proud to have a footprint at the show this year. “We are already making strides to expand our footprint at the Farnborough Airshow next July and then at Paris again in 2019,” said Sarah Massie, an international trade specialist for Commerce who attended the show in France.

“The powerful combination of Governor Otter, the Department of Commerce, and the Idaho Aerospace Alliance (IAA) substantively helped Idaho aerospace companies expand business opportunities, both internationally and domestically,” said Jack Hruby, president and founder of Soar-USA.

Walter Johns, director of parts and logistics for Western Aircraft Inc., said “the result of the Paris Air Show will pay off immensely in more revenue from abroad, and produce jobs for Idaho. In fact, I’ve already contracted another employee this week to help us meet delivery. Western Aircraft also passes on our gratitude to Governor Otter, and Commerce Director Ronk for presenting the Idaho Valued Partner Award to Textron Aviation. Our governor supports the Idaho aviation community!”

Boise-based AeroLEDs described the value of making international connections in a global market. “AeroLEDs was able to make several new contacts with major European OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), mostly based in France. These were new contacts that we had been unable to make last year in Farnborough. One of these, Dassault, has already followed up with us to obtain information on one of our lights that they are particularly interested in,” said Dean Wilkinson, chief technology officer for AeroLEDs.

“We were also pleased to be able to recognize our largest current European customer, Pilatus, with the Governor’s VPA (Valued Partner Award). Additionally, we were able to network with several of our fellow Idaho exhibitors, and have established a reseller agreement with Western Aircraft, and are continuing in talks with Tamarack, and will follow up with ASU (Boise-based Aviation Specialties Unlimited) on several of our new dual mode landing lights that they are interested in evaluating,”

“As a member of the Idaho Pavilion and first-time exhibitor, ASU garnered excellent exposure and media coverage during the Paris Airshow. We met with several key European partners and solidified agreements while in Paris,” ASU President Jim Winkel said.

“One of the many highlights was Governor Otter’s presentation of the Valued Partner Awards to our distributors in France and Austria. Additionally, the Idaho Department of Commerce trade team did a fantastic job laying out and promoting our pavilion – which resulted in great ‘curb appeal’,” Winkel said. “We’re following up on multiple leads that will help ASU generate and sustain success across Europe. Hats off to Governor Otter and the Idaho Department of Commerce for supporting ASU and the Idaho aerospace industrial base.”

“Attending the Paris air show was a great opportunity for G Zero,” said Dave Hannah, president of Meridian-based G Zero CNC Machining. “As Idaho works toward increasing its aerospace presence, the Idaho booth showed the world we are open for business! The contacts that were made at the show were greater than we expected. The presence of the Governor attending the show had a very positive impact on our success. We appreciate the Governor attending and showing his support!”

Unitech Aerospace, a leading aerospace and defense supplier of tooling, composite and metallic structures and components based in Hayden, was able to attend the Paris Air Show thanks to the support of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Governor Otter.

“The show was a great success for Unitech,” said Mark Withrow, vice president and general manager of Unitech Composites. “We were able to present our extensive capabilities and products to a worldwide audience and meet with both existing and potential customers. I would like to express my personal thanks to Governor Otter, who gave us amazing support.”

“We are honored to have had the opportunity to work with Governor Otter at the Paris Air Show. Governor Otter is a great asset for the businesses of the state of Idaho and AERO Specialties is proud to work side by side with the Governor to grow sales and increase awareness on Idaho’s aerospace and defense abilities,” said Dan Meyer, equipment sales and parts department manager for Boise-based AERO Specialties, Inc. “The Valued Partner Award was an excellent opportunity to show appreciation to our business colleagues in Europe and the Governor’s involvement was truly appreciated.”

“Idaho Commerce has been a great partner for Black Sage; and the Paris Air Show is another example of the how Idaho companies are growing both domestically and internationally. We were able to meet face to face with our European clients, as well as create new relationships with potential partners. Black Sage will continue to grow because of the hard work and dedication of the Idaho Commerce team.” –Dirk Manley, International Sales Relationship Manager for Black Sage.

The 11 companies that exhibited in the Idaho Pavilion alongside the Commerce team included:

AeroLEDs
AERO Specialties
Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU)
Black Sage
Blue Wolf
G-Zero CNC Machining
PKG
Soar USA and Intrinsic
Tamarack Aerospace Group
Unitech Composites
Western Aircraft

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