In just under one year the 7th Africa Aerospace and Defence 2012 (AAD 2012) will open its doors at the much larger AFB Waterkloof after being held at AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town in 2006, 2008 and 2010. Please diarise the dates 19-23 September 2012 for the largest military and civilian showcase ever to be held on the African continent.
Exhibitor numbers at AAD2010 were the highest in the event’s history, with 350 exhibitors from 31 countries providing an impressive display of products and services from all parts of the aerospace, general aviation and defence industries. Indications are that AAD2012 will surpass all previous events due to the fact that 85% of the indoor space had already been reserved a full year ahead of the exhibition.
This impressive exhibition will be presented as a partnership between South Africa’s Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industry Association (AMD), the Armament Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR) and the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA); in collaboration with the Department of Defence incorporating the SAAF. Visitor attendance at AAD2010 was around 96 000 over the five days of the event of which approximately 13 000 were trade visitors representing 59 countries. As part of AAD’s corporate social responsibility the AAD2010 Youth Development Programme (YDP) hosted 2 410 learners between the ages of 15 and 20 years, mostly from the Western Cape; as well as from KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng.
AAD2012 has a number of features designed to maximise exhibitors’ ability to showcase products and services to the growing defence, general aviation and security industries such as the on-site mobility track and participation in demonstration flights.
“Even a year before the event, AAD2012 has nine national pavilions as well as 81 direct exhibitors from 28 countries confirmed. Already eighty five percent of indoor exhibition space has been booked,” said AAD2012 Exhibition Director Leona Redelinghuys. Already 18 confirmed civil aircraft will be on static display and will showcase flying capabilities during the two public days.
For the first time and in co-operation with the Aero Club of South Africa and Recreational Aviation Association of SA (RAASA) a dedicated area (Fun Fly Park) for light sports aircraft (LSA) types has been allocated. “With home-built and kit aircraft, Microlight and gliders, which are regarded as LSA types having become very popular in South Africa, it was decided by the AAD Management that there was an opportunity to showcase this capability at AAD2012”, said Leon Dillman CEO of CAASA and AAD2012 show director.
“For the second time the highly acclaimed IHS Jane’s Group from London will produce an AAD2012 Show Daily that will be advantageous for exhibitors to showcase their products and services. The Show Daily will be published on the three trade days and will be circulated widely throughout the show as well as on the IHS Jane’s and AAD2012 websites which will ensure greater world-wide exposure,” says Vhongani Shumba , AAD2012 Marketing and Public Relations Manager. The media will have a preview of AAD2012 on the day before the show opens. Ample provision has been made for visiting journalists who will have access to a fully equipped media centre.
In collaboration with the General Aviation (GA) and various defence industries the Department of Defence has identified at least eighty high level official delegations that will be invited to attend AAD2012. A series of conferences are scheduled to run concurrently with AAD2012. These include the International Aerospace Symposium of South African under the auspices of the Aeronautical Society of SA and the Flight Test Society of SA and incorporating the Stellenbosch University Technical UAV conference.
The Youth Development Programme celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012 and the organisers are planning to make this a commemorative event. The visiting youth will be able to get a touch and feel of aviation and experience different career opportunities in the Department of Defence. They will form part of a structured programme and take part in activities such as plastic model building, virtual aviation, simulator, target shooting, first aid and investigating crime scenes. These are just some of the exciting events that learners will be able to experience. The invited learners will be achievers in Science and Mathematics from the Dinaledi schools.
Issued by:
Ms Vhongani Shumba - AAD2012: Marketing and PR Manager
Cell: +27 (0)84 840 3214 E-mail: marketingpr@aadexpo.co.za Website: www.aadexpo.co.za.
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