Helitech’s second outing to Portugal attracted 1,274 visitors and received visits from VIPs such as the Mayor of Cascais, Mr António d'Orey Capucho.
Exhibiting for the first time in Portugal, AgustaWestland was able to tie in its presence at the show with the delivery of two GrandNew light twin helicopters to Vinair Aeroserviços, which is located at Airport Cascais. A leading provider of VIP/corporate transport services, Vinair Aeroserviços is the first customer to take delivery of AgustaWestland’s GrandNew, which is an evolution of its Grand helicopter. The ceremony took place at Vinair Aeroserviços’s facilities at the airport.
George DeCock, Director at L-3 Wescam, said: “We returned to Helitech Cascais in 2010 because it was a good show in 2008. 60% of the visitors to our stand were invited customers, while another 20% were new potential customers. We will be back!”
Helitech Portugal’s first conference proved popular with both visitors and exhibitors. Delegates heard from a variety of speakers focusing on four key topics: simulation, training, safety and aerial firefighting. The final conference session detailed the aerial firefighting process from contract tendering through to operation.
EMA’s Carlos Santos described how his company’s aerial firefighting contract schedule works with new tenders being developed immediately after each year’s main forest fires season; new tenders have to take a range of issues into account including forecasts for where aircraft will be required, the type of aircraft and equipment needed as well as anticipated flying hours. Proposals then undergo a strict evaluation process which looks at everything from safety and efficiency to operational support and aircrew qualification requirements. After a contract award EMA supervises contract service management areas such as performance reports and audit commission visits.
When the session closed delegates moved outside to watch the aerial firefighting display, organised by Helibravo.
“There’s no doubt that the last 18 months have been challenging for the southern European helicopter market so it is quite an achievement to have had 134 exhibiting companies representing 20 countries at the event this year,” said Sue Bradshaw, Helitech’s Exhibition Director. “We had excellent feedback on the event this year from the major exhibitors who all expressed interest in returning to Portugal in 2012. Now we have run two shows in Portugal we are going to analyse all the feedback from both exhibitors and visitors over the next few months, regarding our plans for 2012, before making an announcement.”
For more information about any Helitech event please visit: www.helitechevents.com
For further press information please contact:
Victoria Bailey
CMS Strategic
Tel: +44 (0)208 748 9797
Email: victoria.bailey@cmsstrategic.com