IMAS is Morocco’s most prominent aerospace and defense trade event. The U.S. presence, featuring industry leading companies such as Boeing, Flir, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney was organised by Kallman Worldwide Inc, the newly designated U.S. representative of the show, in coordination with numerous U.S. government agencies, including the departments of Commerce, Defensc and State.

The centerpiece of the national effort, the nearly 500 sqm (gross) U.S. International Pavilion located in show Pavilion F, was a destination for buyers looking for an efficient way to meet a critical mass of U.S. suppliers, and an on-site business hub for U.S. exhibitors looking to maximize their exposure and impact at the event. Ranging from publicly traded stalwarts to privately held small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as Dillon, M International and WAGA International, exhibitors in the Pavilion represented a cross-section of leading American suppliers working to initiate and strengthen regional partnerships.

WAGA and another U.S. SME, Aerospace Maintenance Solutions (AMS) recently announced their own partnership to better support military aircraft from Morocco and other countries. The companies exhibited together at IMAS, where they met with military delegations regarding new repair capabilities, including parts for C-130s, F-5s and F-16s.

“When U.S. companies commit to exhibit at IMAS, they’re saying they believe in the power of this event to attract real business prospects and customers,” said Kallman Worldwide President and CEO, Tom Kallman. “The growth of the show and the expansion of military and commercial aerospace infrastructure in Morocco say a lot about the long-term opportunities for our exhibitors.”

In addition to organising the national Pavilion, Kallman Worldwide also promoted U.S. exhibitors with its “Ask America First” advocacy campaign. “The United States is the world's biggest aerospace and defense supplier, but that’s no guarantee that buyers will look to work with U.S. companies over others,” said Kallman. “As the organiser of the U.S. presence at Marrakech, we have a responsibility to advocate not only for our exhibitors, but for our nation in this highly competitive marketplace. We want every visitor to ‘Ask America first’ at IMAS, and to be assured that America is listening.”