Enterprise Florida Inc. (EFI), the principal economic development organization for the State of Florida, led a delegation of 12 Florida-based aviation and aerospace businesses, partners and organizations to the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow from July 16-20.
The international business development and trade mission provided Florida with a unique opportunity to demonstrate its competitive advantages in the aviation, aerospace and defense sectors. Over two days of meetings, EFI leadership talked with nearly 40 aviation and aerospace industry leaders about what makes Florida a leading business location.
“Events like the Farnborough Airshow allow us not only to help small and medium-sized Florida businesses expand their international footprint, but also to meet with leadership and decision-makers for some of the world’s leading aviation and aerospace companies.” said Tim Vanderhoof, senior vice president of business development for EFI. “The Florida Pavilion demonstrates the state’s leadership in the industry in a way no other state can match.”
In addition to the business development meetings, Enterprise Florida hosted the Florida Pavilion located in Hall 3-190, showcasing 12 Florida-based aviation and aerospace companies and economic development partner organizations marketing their products and services to a top-level international audience. The pavilion allowed small and mid-sized Florida companies to cost-effectively exhibit at the show.
The Florida companies and organizations exhibiting in the Florida Pavilion included:
- Air Quality Aviation, Inc.– Miami Lakes
- Associated Aircraft Manufacturing & Sales, Inc.– Fort Lauderdale
- Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation– Bradenton
- Charlotte County Economic Development Office– Port Charlotte
- Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast– Rockledge
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University– Daytona Beach
- Florida Power & Light Co.– Juno Beach
- ITI Engineering– Winter Springs
- Relli Technology, Inc.– Boca Raton
- Space Florida– Merritt Island
- STS Aviation Group– Jensen Beach
- Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation– Daytona Beach
Florida is home to more than 2,200 aerospace and aviation companies employing more than 93,800 skilled workers. Florida is also a major hub for flight training; a leader in maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) operations; and home to leading manufacturers of all types of aircraft and components. Florida’s manufacturing sector has more than 20,290 companies that employ more than 354,000 Floridians.
Last year, leading Florida-origin exports reached $6.3 billion in civilian aircraft, engines and parts. Another $678 million in turbojets, turbo propellers and parts was exported to countries around the globe.
EFI maintains an extensive schedule of overseas trade missions and exhibitions worldwide. Last year, merchandise trade valued at $147.7 billion flowed through Florida’s ports with Florida-origin exports reaching $55 billion. Florida exported more goods than 190 countries in 2017, making the state one of the world’s leaders in international trade.
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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched “Florida | The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.