First-ever participation at event also touts aerospace, defense strengths
Fairfax County, Virginia, July 13, 2018 – For the first time, the
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) will attend the biennial
Farnborough International Airshow and will spotlight Fairfax County’s strong partnerships with aerospace, defense and economic development organizations that work to increase trans-Atlantic commerce and trade. The air show, to be held near London from July 16-22, also will be an opportunity for the FCEDA to tout the county’s strengths as a hub for global aerospace and defense companies.
The organization will be part of the
Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) pavilion (Hall 1, booth 1320). The FCEDA delegation will be led by President and CEO Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., and he will be joined by Jan E. Mul, director of international marketing for the FCEDA, and Ian Metcalf, director of the FCEDA’s London office.
On the afternoon of July 17, the FCEDA and the FAC will welcome Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and trade officials from the United Kingdom to the exhibit. Northam will also attend the air show to promote Virginia as a location for defense and aerospace companies.
On the afternoon of July 18, the FCEDA and the FAC will host a networking event for air show attendees, and will use the occasion to emphasize the benefits of working together and with groups such as
Enterprise M3, a business-led partnership that helps to drive economic growth in Hampshire and Surrey counties near London. This region-to-region initiative has attracted the attention and support of U.K. government officials and members of Parliament too.
“We are delighted to represent Fairfax County at one of the most prominent and innovative shows in the world for the defense and aerospace industries, and to thank partners that allow us to continue to do the important work of facilitating company investment and trade across the Atlantic,” Gordon said.
Eight Fortune 500 aerospace companies have operations in Fairfax County, including two – Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics – that are headquartered in the county. Airbus and Rolls-Royce maintain their North American headquarters in the county, and other major aerospace employers include BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin.
e of the top 10 global defense companies have operations in Fairfax County. In addition, defense companies in Fairfax County received $13.7 billion in Department of Defense contracts in fiscal 2017, making the county one of the largest recipients of federal contracts.
Proximity to the Pentagon, military installations and major defense and aerospace suppliers – along with Dulles International Airport – creates unique opportunities for Fairfax County businesses to develop partnerships, share ideas and win contracts.
“Aerospace and defense companies thrive in Fairfax County, and we will use our time at Farnborough to let the aviation world know that this is where the best aerospace companies land,” Gordon said.
To learn more about the success of the defense and aerospace industry in Fairfax County, check out this
FCEDA fact sheet.
Time magazine called Fairfax County “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth and innovation help Fairfax County fund the nation’s top-rated school system and other public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a vibrant investment capital community and a highly skilled, well-educated workforce.
The award-winning Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv. Follow the FCEDA on
Facebook,
Twitter and
LinkedIn.
