A forum for Canberra exporters to network, share knowledge and expand their export activities

Team Australia is involved in a number of defence industry events in the US over the period June – December 2011, providing a number of opportunities for participation.

The US Expositions listed below are regularly attended by US personnel from both government and industry, including departments and industry that have no direct connexion with the defence sector.  The Expos also attract a large representation these groups and from the more than 120 foreign countries represented in Washington, DC.

National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo (New Orleans, LA, 15-18 August 2011)

The Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting this event from 15 -18 August 2011, at the Ernest N. Morial Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana being assisted by Halfaker and Associates LLC. The largest nationwide conference of its kind, the National Veteran Small Business Conference provides Veteran-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs and SDVOSBs) an opportunity to learn, network and market their businesses (http://www.nationalveteransconference.com/).

Team Australia combines Australian Government and industry in promoting Australia’s innovative defence and security technologies. This partnership indicates Defence support of Australian industry to supply high quality, sustainable solutions to the capability requirements of valued overseas Partners.  This conference and expo focuses on partnership/teaming opportunities for ‘Team Australia’ firms with SDVOSB’s and others.

Team Australia has now assisted in forming more than 60 partnerships between US SDVOSB’s and Australian suppliers of technology and production capacity.  This has been a bi-directional effort permitting SDVOSB’s access to Australian Defence Programs.  The latest example of this is an Australian Special Forces unique vehicle where US components are expected to be included in the final selection.

The Defence Export Unit plans to facilitate an Australian National stand under the ‘Team Australia’ banner to be used as an assembly and demonstration point for Australian companies who wish to attend the show.

Modern Day Marine Expo  (MCB Quantico, VA 27 – 29 September 2011)

Modern Day Marine is co-sponsored by Marine Corps Base, Quantico, the Exposition’s home base. MCB Quantico, home to the Combat Development Command, the USMC Warfighting Laboratory and the Marine Corps Systems Command, is responsible for setting requirements, developing equipment and systems and purchasing the equipment and systems that the Marine Corps will rely on in the years to come. These vital and unique functions play a large part in positioning Modern Day Marine as the premier military equipment, systems, services and technology exposition (http://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com/modern_day_marine/index).

The Defence Export Unit (DEU) facilitates an Australian National stand under the Team Australia banner to be used as an assembly and demonstration point for Australian companies who wish to attend the show.  ‘Team Australia’ members should be from firms with products of immediate use to the US military.  Keep in mind that the USMC operates on land, sea and air.  As a result the needs are not limited to simply weapons. One such example is medical products.  All US military services have large and complex medical corps with commensurate requirements.

 Association of United States Army Trade Show (Walter E. Washington Convention Centre, Washington DC, 10-12 October 2011)

The AUSA Annual Meeting is the largest landpower exposition and professional development forum in North America. The Annual Meeting consists of informative presentations, panel discussions on pertinent military and national security subjects, workshops and important AUSA business meetings (http://www.ausa.org/meetings/2011/annual/Pages/annual1010-12.aspx).

Each year over 30,000 attendees, including senior leaders from the Army, DoD and Congress, as well as foreign dignitaries, participate in the AUSA Annual Meeting. The event provides a unique opportunity to showcase defence industry products and services to key Army and DoD decision-makers, discover new developments in defence technology and meet with colleagues from the world-wide defence community.

This year, The Defence Export Unit will facilitate the largest Australian national stand at this exhibition under the Team Australia banner that has ever been possible. As above, the principal participation is invited from Australian companies looking to expand their business into the United States Defence sector.

Keep in mind that as previously stated, the US Army operates on land, sea and air.  The Army has more vessels than the Navy and more aircraft than the US Ari Force.  As a result the needs and interests are not limited to simply weapons and vehicles.

Again an example is medical products.  The US Army is the lead for US military services  for selection and employment of complex medical products and other requirements.

The company representatives that participate in AUSA will automatically receive an invitation to the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Black Tie Dinner.  

Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, 28 November – 1 December 2011)

The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) promotes cooperation among the Armed Services, Industry, Academia and various Government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programs, identification of common training issues and development of multiservice programs (http://www.iitsec.org). 

The Defence Export Unit plans to facilitate an Australian National stand under the Team Australia banner to be used as an assembly and demonstration point for Australian companies who wish to attend the show.

For more information on these events please contact Aurelio Azpiazu (aurelio.azpiazu@defence.gov.au) and for more information on Team Australia visit their website: http://www.defence.gov.au/teamaustralia/.