OUR AIRSHOW SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS
‘Best event ever’
DEALS worth an estimated $1 billion were done during trade days at Avalon’s Australian International Airshow.
The event, which wrapped up yesterday, is also expected to inject about $20 million into the Geelong region’s economy.
Show chiefs said local small to medium enterprises, technology distributors and major international companies were part of the big business, highlighting the event’s immense importance on local, national and global stages.
Tens of thousands of people turned out yesterday for a last look at the show’s powerpacked, nostalgic, spectacular showcase in the air and on the ground, saluting the Anzac centenary theme of Heroes of the Sky.
Chief executive Ian Honnery said he believed by many measures the 14th show ranked as the best.
“I think that the impact of the trade exhibition and all the conferences and all of the networking that took place is probably significantly better than we’ve ever seen in the past,” Mr Honnery said.
“We had a record number of conferences and seminars in conjunction with the event, at least a couple of thousand delegates to those conferences, we had well over 100 delegations attend the trade show itself and there was a buzz, in my view, on the exhibition floor in the pavilions during the trade days that I haven’t seen before.
“I’ve been around this business for a fair while, in terms of the industry benefits and promoting the profile of Australian industry internationally, I think this was our best event ever.”
He said late yesterday crowd numbers had not been finalised.
“But what is even more pleasing than the numbers is the reaction of the crowd, and the reaction we’ve had on social media has been overwhelming, astronomical,” Mr Honnery said.
He said the importance of the event for Geelong “can’t be overstated”.
“And it is appropriate for Australia’s largest regional city to make an international statement of its clever capabilities,” he said.
“Here in the city is a major international industry event which is capable of taking Geelong to the world by bringing the world to Geelong.”
Victorian Industry Minister Lily D’Ambrosio also hailed the show as a success, highlighting Victoria’s capabilities.
“The week demonstrated to our international guests that Victoria is an Australian leader for aviation, aerospace and defence businesses,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“I look forward to continuing to explore opportunities and discussions that came out of my time at the air show to ensure we can remain Australia’s innovation, knowledge and technology powerhouse.”