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Florida Pavilion Opens at Paris Air Show, Largest Exhibit of any U.S. State

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The Florida Pavilion debuted at the world’s largest air show in Paris this morning, marking its 30th year at the show. Twenty-five aviation/aerospace industry leaders from across the state are exhibiting in the pavilion this year, hosted by Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI). The Florida Pavilion is the largest of any U.S. state at the air show.

Gary Spulak, president of Embraer Aircraft Holding, opened the pavilion. Embraer employs more than 1,200 professionals statewide, 200 of which are at their Engineering Excellence Center in Melbourne.

“Enterprise Florida and Space Florida have been important strategic partners, as Embraer has grown its operations in the state over the last 10 years,” said Spulak.  “This year we are celebrating our 40th anniversary in the U.S., having first set foot in Dania, Florida, in October of 1979 with a core group of eight people. We have now grown our Embraer U.S. family to almost 2,500 employees, half of which are at our Florida sites in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Titusville and Melbourne. Florida is also home to our Phenom 100EV, Phenom 300E, the most popular business jet in the world, and A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.”

Dr. P. Barry Butler, president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), also participated in the opening ceremony. Dr. Butler announced that Arralis, a UK-based aerospace technology company, will establish its North American headquarters at the John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex at Embry-Riddle Research Park. The company will create up to 30 jobs at the new manufacturing facility.

Every two years, the Paris Air Show provides Enterprise Florida and the businesses and organizations exhibiting in the Florida Pavilion with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their competitive advantages in the aviation/aerospace industry. EFI leadership will meet with more than 50 aviation/aerospace companies to discuss what makes Florida the best business state in the nation.

“The Paris Air Show is the largest gathering of aviation and aerospace companies and leaders this year,” said Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of EFI. “This is the ideal location for our small and medium-sized businesses to display their innovative products and services. It’s also the perfect setting for our economic development partners to talk with industry leaders and share the Florida business story.”

In total, 25 Florida companies and organizations are participating in the Florida Pavilion, including:

“Space Florida is again pleased to join Enterprise Florida in representing the State of Florida at the Paris Air Show,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “Such opportunities significantly help Space Florida and Enterprise Florida continue our path to make Florida the leading U.S. state in the global aerospace industry.”

Florida is home to more than 2,200 aerospace and aviation companies employing nearly 100,000 skilled workers. The state is a major hub for flight training; a leader in maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) operations; and home to leading manufacturers of all types of aircraft and components.

EFI maintains an extensive schedule of overseas trade missions and exhibitions worldwide. Last year, merchandise trade valued at $153.5 billion flowed through Florida’s ports with Florida-origin exports reaching $57.2 billion. Florida exported goods to more than 190 countries in 2018, making the state one of the world’s leaders in international trade.