Royal Victorian Aero Club -

29 September 2008

AVALON 2009 CLAIMS “POLE POSITION”!  

NEW DATES – TUESDAY, 10 MARCH to SUNDAY, 15 MARCH, 2009
The organisers of the highly acclaimed AVALON 2009 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace &
Defence Exposition have reviewed the long-published dates of their 2009 event, following the recent
announcement of a change in the dates of next year’s Australian Formula 1 Motor Racing Grand Prix in
Melbourne.
Claiming “pole position” two weeks before the Melbourne Grand Prix, the new dates for AVALON 2009 will be
Tuesday, 10 March to Sunday, 15 March.
“Although our dates had been set nearly two years previously, after extensive consultation with our stakeholders,
the surprise new Grand Prix timing – late March rather than early March as it had always been in the past – meant
a direct clash in the dates of these two major “hallmark” events in Victoria”, Airshow Chief Executive Ian
Honnery said today.
“These two international events are each so large”, he said, “that they can’t both be held at the same time. The
pressure on accommodation in Melbourne and Geelong would have caused major inconvenience for our
exhibitors, delegations, participants and visitors if both events had continued on the same dates.”
“Fortunately, with outstanding levels of cooperation from our stakeholders, exhibitors, contractors and participants
(from around the world), we have been able to rapidly change the dates of next year’s Australian International
Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition.”
“In fact, the new dates for AVALON 2009 have turned out to be better than our first dates,” he said. “Being two
weeks earlier, the probability of excellent weather conditions for the event has increased significantly and
constraints on accommodation have been avoided.”
Recognised as “one of the world’s great airshows”, the 2009 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace &
Defence Exposition will be the ninth event in the biennial series since the inaugural show at Avalon Airport,
Geelong in 1992.
The last show, in 2007, achieved record outcomes. Total attendance exceeded 182,000. 457 aircraft were on
display, representing the complete spectrum of aviation - from commercial, corporate and military to business,
general aviation, sport and recreational. Another 800 light aircraft flew in to visit the event. 611 exhibiting
companies participated in the International Aerospace & Defence Exposition from 20 countries. The show hosted
60 registered senior international delegations and 15 Air Force Chiefs or their Deputies from around the world. 13
conferences or symposia were conducted in conjunction with it.
The 2009 show is set to be even larger,” Mr. Honnery said. “The event continues to grow, with more and more
exhibitors participating from around the world each time, and a new exhibition pavilion being added in 2009 to
accommodate the expansion.”
“The Avalon show has become recognized as one of the most significant aerospace and defence industry events of
its kind in the world. It is the most comprehensive and multi-faceted airshow and aerospace exhibition in the Asia
Pacific region.”
The International Aerospace & Defence Exposition at Avalon will again incorporate LanDef 2009, focusing on the
“air/land defence interface” and will uniquely offer a land-equipment and ground-vehicle mobility display “track”,
as well as facilities for the aerial demonstration of UAV’s.
“What is more, AVALON 2009 will be a valuable international showcase for Australia’s, and especially Victoria’s,
aerospace and defence industry capabilities and will host a major national careers and skills forum for teachers and
careers advisers from around Australia to help address the nation’s critical skills shortage in the aviation, aerospace
and defence sectors,” Mr. Honnery said.
The biennial Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition receives substantial funding
from the Victorian Government and major support from the City of Geelong. The show contributes an estimated
$120 million in economic benefits to the Victorian economy and $22 million to the Geelong region.
AVALON 2009 is also strongly supported by the Australian Defence Force (especially through the Royal
Australian Air Force), the Australian Department of Defence (through the Defence Materiel Organisation and the
Defence Science and Technology Organisation), the Australian Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and
Research and Austrade, as well as the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Air Services Australia.
The theme of the 2009 event will be “Towards Tomorrow”. Showcasing the latest developments in aviation,
aerospace and related defence technology, it will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of man’s first landing on
the moon and highlight the exciting technological advances that are emerging to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Tuesday, 10 March to Friday, 13 March (until 2pm) will be industry only trade-day sessions. The show will open
to the public on Friday (from 2pm) for the unique “Night Alight” afternoon and evening air spectacular and on the
weekend for the main flying display days. Full information is available on www.airshow.com.au
“In its new pole position at the forefront of Victoria’s major events next March,” Mr. Honnery said, “AVALON
2009 will be the ‘Grand Prix of Air Shows’ in the Asia/Pacific region and the essential place to do business.”