NEWS ARTICLES

AVALON 2023 numbers have confirmed that the industry trade days were the largest ever.

With 48,516 attendances across the three full trade days, AVALON 2023 was 24 per cent larger than the 2019 industry event. This is in addition to a 14 per cent increase in the number of participating companies, to 798.

Official delegations too were up more than 50 per cent from 2019, at 234. But it's about more than the numbers,according to Justin Giddings, CEO of AVALON 2023 organiser AMDA Foundation.

AVALON 2023 highlights:

48,516 industry day attendances (up 24%)

794 participating companies (up 14%)

234 official delegations (up 50%)

"From the first minute of this AVALON there was a dynamism in the exhibition halls and the sense that a lot of people were having some very productive conversations," he said. "That has been backed up by the number of announcements from companies that are here and the feedback from the many exhibitors that have told us they have been consistently busy all week.

"The most pleasing thing has been a sense of optimism from industry and the desire to engage. AVALON was created to be a meeting hub, a catalyst for the sort of engagement that creates partnerships and ideas. This week felt like industry has direction and opportunities to pursue, that Australian companies are starting to feel like it is worth stepping forward and investing in capability."

As an event attracting a cross section of aviators, from both civil and military backgrounds, AVALON 2023 has also felt a sense of camaraderie among visitors from several nations.

"The strong presence of the Australian Defence Force along with our overseas colleagues from Japan, South Korea, the United States, Malaysia and other countries has created an international flavour for AVALON," Justin Giddings said. "The fact that many have been here for a week means we have had the chance to experience some of their culture, as well as their aerial skill and professionalism." 

"AVALON also had many distinguished visitors, including the Australian Minister For Defence Richard Marles, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and the United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy. Their presence has underlined the event's importance in the national defence debate and international engagement."