Taking place on November 2-4, 2010 at the Exhibition Centre Frankfurt, Airtec 2010 is attracting an increasing number of exhibitors matched by a strong presence of OEMs and system suppliers attending the B2B meetings.
Q1: The countdown for Airtec 2010 has begun. What does the situation look like at present?
The fact that the number of exhibitors has doubled and the exhibition area has tripled by comparison with the previous year reflects the very successful development of the trade fair. All in all, we are expecting some 300 exhibitors for this year's Airtec. Furthermore, we will be staging a new international conference programme entitled ‘Space World'.
In addition to OEMs and system suppliers, market leaders from various sections of the value creation chain will also be represented – from the design and engineering areas to software, simulation, composites, metallics, all the way through to electronics, testing, manufacturing, components and systems, as well as lifecycle support.
Q2: Airtec regards itself as a focused combination of trade exhibition, expert conferences and B2B meetings. What is the special hallmark of this concept?
Thanks to the presence of numerous market leaders, Airtec 2010 offers outstanding strengths with regard to the B2B meetings with optimal service for exhibitors and visitors in addition to a multi-faceted, international conference and specific programmes of Heli World, UAV, Space and ‘Supply on the wings'.
The participation of OEM supply chain management experts from Embraer and Bombardier in the B2B meetings, as well as exhibitors marks an additional milestone that Airtec has achieved in 2010. Boeing has confirmed even stronger presence, with key technology experts involved in the conferences and the overall event. Also Snecma, Pratt & Whitney and Fokker have confirmed participation with supply chain management and global sourcing in the B2B meetings.
Q3: Does this mean that Airtec has become a top world meeting place for the entire aerospace supply chain?
Yes, the increasing presence of supply chain managers and programme managers from all over the world is proof of the fact. This year, Bombardier will be represented by top supply chain and programme managers who will be participating in the B2B meetings and the conferences at Airtec, whilst Embraer's vice-president of supply chain management and his managers will be available to exhibitors on all three days of the event.
In connection with the strong OEM presence, Airtec creates a communication and competence platform for the industry where new projects are initiated and existing ones deepened. As an independent, specialised trade fair, Airtec acts as a key procurement market and technology meeting venue.
Q4: How do these B2B meetings with OEMs and system suppliers work?
The meetings take place in 30 minute intervals. All the exhibitors and their sales representatives can participate in the B2B platform. In terms of visitors, the platform is reserved exclusively for supply chain managers, buyers, project and programme managers as well as engineers engaged in R&D at OEMs, first tier suppliers and on other levels. This year, Boeing, Embraer and Bombardier will be stepping up their presence with additional engineers, supply chain managers and procurement managers.
Q5: Who are the keynote speakers in the various conferences?
There are nine keynote lectures this year in the fifth international conference ‘Supply on the Wings', including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, European Commission, BIAM Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, NLR and NASA, as well as presentations by Airbus and Alenia.
In the first international Space World conference the keynotes include: Arianespace, the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, DLR - German Aerospace Centre, Cologne and OHB Orbitale Hochtechnologie Bremen-System.
Important speakers from Eurocopter Deutschland, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and AgustaWestland will also give presentations at the Second International Heli World conference.
www.airtec.aero
