Aerospace and Defense Meetings is the first international business convention devoted to the aerospace and defence industry to be staged in Italy. It will take place in Torino on 19 and 20 March 2008. The initiative is launched by the Torino Chamber of Commerce and is coordinated by BCI (Business Convention International) in collaboration with Piemonte Agency for Investments, Export and Tourism.

Among the players of the event there is Torino Piemonte Aerospace, the three year project (2007–2009) promoted by the Torino Chamber of Commerce offering international buyers a preferential channel to meet a selection of local aerospace and defence companies. All enterprises were chosen according to rigorous parameters of evaluation: technical expertise, possession of innovative products and processes, intrinsic quality of the undertaking, programmes and degree of internationalisation, human resources potential and capacity for teamwork.

Aerospace and Defence Meetings is the occasion of attending targeted and customised B2B meetings and starting possible new commercial ventures: 110 suppliers and more than 70 principal contractors from Italy, Europe and other countries specialised in aeronautics. such as the United States and Russia, are in fact expected to participate.
A lecture programme and a list of technical seminars and workshops is also planned. Among the events: on 20 March the conference, “Virtual Design and Virtual Testing”, which is part of the timetable of Torino 2008 World Design Capital, will analyse new challenges and the advantages that can be performed within the aerospace and defence sectors.

In addition, special focus will be dedicated to research and technological innovation: national and international universities, leading engineering schools and research centres will be organising a ‘village’ dedicated to the exchange of feedback, specialist briefings and technical presentations.

Many aircraft and engine manufacturers have already confirmed their presence in their capacity as contractors. The same goes for the specialist aerospace regions that have asked to participate: the English Midlands, Aquitaine for France, Quebec on behalf of Canada and Naples, Rome and Varese for Italy.

The convention is organised following a precise procedure. Both buyers and suppliers fill in a company profile and registration form, the first expressing the expertise, the latter all the needs and expectations. Three weeks before the event all suppliers will have access to the list of buyers and side events. They can express their meeting preferences, to be validated by the chosen buyers only, and select the events to attend. One week before Aerospace Meetings both buyers and suppliers will receive a personalized agenda.