By Edward Robertson
Farnborough International has announced FIA Connect, the world’s only major digital trade event for the aerospace and defence industries, will take place on 13 – 15 July, 2021.
The free to attend on-line event marks the second in a series developed to bridge the gap between biennial Farnborough International Airshows – the next of which is confirmed for July 2022.
FIA Connect brings industry, government and academia together for an on on-line conference that will focus on the technology and ingenuity driving business growth.
The first FIA Connect was held in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic made normal life impossible, with more than 250 senior executives, academics, and politicians joined 14,000 delegates from 97 countries taking part.
Senior attendees included the CEOs of Airbus, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Meggitt and Emirates, with the conference broadcast by FINN – the Farnborough International News Network.
This July’s FIA Connect will focus on sustainability, advanced manufacturing, defence and commercial recovery.
Farnborough International CEO Gareth Rogers said: “For Farnborough International, developing insight-led events on the themes that matter to industry means we become a year-round contributor; putting thought-leaders in front of receptive audiences, enabling business growth, and providing a platform to showcase innovation.
“By creating a roster of events, such as FIA Connect, we broaden our global reach – something that will ensure a growth in international attendance at our biennial airshow, an industry landmark representing a culmination of informed, insight-driven events.
“Ultimately, there is no substitute for the face-to-face business that is enabled by international airshows and we are acutely aware of how much industry is looking forward to meeting again.
“In the interim, the aerospace industry has always been dynamic and FIA Connect reflects its ability to connect using modern technology.”
