A group of Floridians and aerospace proponents, headed by Gov. Rick Scott, will jet across the pond this weekend to showcase the Sunshine State at one of the largest aviation industry trade events in the world.
Enterprise Florida will have a booth for a number of Florida companies to showcase their wares with others in the 86-strong delegation at the Farnborough International Airshow.
The seven-day international civil and military trade fair, held in the south coast county of Hampshire, is organized by a subsidiary of British aerospace giant ADS Group Limited.
The event, held every other year and expected to attract 130,000, kicks off July 9.
The show traces its history to the 1920s, with the city of Farnborough as host since 1949.
Enterprise Florida Director of Communications Stuart Doyle said a number of meetings have been set up with European aviation and aerospace executives as a means to sell Florida and businesses from the Sunshine State.
"The meetings that we're setting up with dignitaries in the UK -- the delegates get to attend those and we're helping to coordinate their schedules while there," Doyle said. "Those who are there as exhibitors will be showcasing their products in the Florida pavilion, in the Florida booth on the trade show floor."
Among the companies and organizations sending representatives or exhibiting during the week before the public gets to see the show on July 14-15, are these: Jacksonville Aviation Authority; Space Florida; Cella Energy Limited; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Loos & Co. from Naples; Custom Manufacturing and Engineering, Pinellas Park; RAF Tabtronics in Deland; the Tallahassee-Leon County Economic Development Council; GEO Group; Gulf Power; Associated Aircraft Manufacturing & Sales of Fort Lauderdale; and Embraer from Fort Lauderdale.
Cost per person is about $1,000, with Enterprise Florida picking up the tab for both Scott and first lady Ann Scott.
Scott will depart for England following an appearance Friday morning before newspaper executives attending the Southeastern Press Convention at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin.
The international trip will be Scotts second this year, having traveled with Enterprise Florida to Spain in May.
Lane Wright, press secretary for the governor, said the Scotts' last day in England will be Wednesday, July 11.
Scott headed four trade-related trips last year, each with Enterprise Florida, visiting Panama in March, Canada in June, Brazil in October and Israel in December.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 215-9889.
