International Aerospace Week - MONTRÉAL - An exceptional mobilization of the global aerospace industry

MONTRÉAL, May 2, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Aéro Montréal, Québec's aerospace cluster, brought together nearly 1,300 participants, more than 100 speakers from 15 different countries, and helped to organize over 1,400 B2B meetings during the 2nd edition of International Aerospace Week - MONTRÉAL held at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal from April 25 to 29, 2016.

"This edition was a resounding success that gave rise to world-class discussions and meetings on all the subjects that aerospace companies around the world are dealing with every day," said Suzanne M. Benoît, President of Aéro Montréal. "Assembling so many leaders in global aerospace was a challenge that reaped great results! All the SMEs, educational institutions and research centres present were able to have productive discussions that will ensure their growth potential."

"The involvement of governments was very important to the success of Aerospace Week," added Ms. Benoît. "This was the best demonstration of the tremendous importance our governments accord our industry. We benefited from the presence of many Québec ministers, including Philippe Couillard, Québec's Premier; Dominique Anglade, the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation; Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and Minister responsible for the Montréal region; and Christine St-Pierre, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie. We also had the privilege of playing host to federal officials, including Léona Alleslev, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and Marc Miller, MNA for Ville-Marie-Le Sud-Ouest-Île-des-Soeurs."

Innovation, collaboration, internationalization and the labour force were at the heart of discussions held during Aerospace Week. Each company was able to learn about the importance of adapting to the reality of the aerospace sector in order to remain among the best aerospace companies in the world.

Québec's aerospace industry has annual sales of $15.5 billion and generates more than 40,000 direct jobs. Some 80% of its production is exported. Research and development is a critical element and represents 70% of Canada's total aerospace investments.

International Week Aerospace - MONTRÉAL would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our government partners: the Montréal Metropolitan Community (MMC); the Government of Québec, particularly Emploi Québec de l'Île de Montréal, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy (MAMOT) and the Conseil emploi métropole; as well as the Government of Canada. The major private partners associated with International Aerospace Week - MONTRÉAL were the Business Development Bank (BDC) and Norton Rose Fulbright.

About International Week Aerospace - MONTRÉAL

International Aerospace Week - MONTRÉAL was held at the Palais des Congrès and was organized around four main events:

• The 2016 Aerospace Innovation Forum, organized in partnership with the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ) - 5th edition, 1,000 participants, 1,400 B2B meetings, 80 speakers, 12 countries represented - addressed key issues related to the importance of collaboration among companies to spur innovation.
• The 8th CRIAQ Research Forum was also held during the Week. This event, organized by CRIAQ, brought together the entire aerospace community to discuss the open innovation process with the goal of encouraging collaborative projects in research and development.
• The "Doing MRO in Canada" conference, organized in partnership with the Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC) and the Manitoba Aerospace Association (MAA) - 1st edition, 150 participants, 20 speakers - addressed market challenges and trends: evolving business models, R&D and innovation, future support service models, etc.
• The 2016 Aero Talents - SME Forum, organized in partnership with the Comité sectoriel de main-d'oeuvre en aérospatiale du Québec (CAMAQ), helped to enhance SMEs' understanding of what's available in the labour force, company internships and human resources development financing.

About Aéro Montréal

Created in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a strategic think tank that groups all major decision makers in Québec's aerospace sector, including companies, educational and research institutions, as well as associations and unions.

Aéro Montréal's mission is to engage Québec's aerospace cluster with a view to increasing its growth and expansion on the global scene. Its vision is to become a benchmark in global aerospace. To this end, it champions the following values: excellence, commitment, collaboration, integrity, agility and boldness.

SOURCE Aéro Montréal

Image with caption: "Aerospace Innovation Forum 2016 opening speech by Premier of Québec, Mr. Philippe Couillard, during the International Aerospace Week – MONTRÉAL. (CNW Group/Aéro Montréal)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160502_C4658_PHOTO_EN_679329.jpg

Image with caption: "Logo: Aéro Montréal (CNW Group/Aéro Montréal)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160502_C4658_PHOTO_EN_679331.jpg

Gwenaël Brisé, Manager, Communications, Aéro Montréal, Off: 514 987-9395 | cell: 438 497-3857, gwenael.brise@aeroMontréal.ca