U.S. Delegation from Oklahoma Participating in 2023 Paris Air Show

The Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Team, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, announced the state’s participation at the Paris Air Show taking place outside of Paris, France, June 19-25, 2023.

The delegation is led by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and other state officials, including Rep. Nick Archer, Rep. Kyle Hilbert, Rep. Kevin Wallace and Sen. John Haste.

Aerospace and defense is Oklahoma’s second largest and fastest growing sector. Representing the MRO capital of the world – home to both the world’s largest commercial airline MRO facility and the largest Department of Defense air depot. From elementary through higher education, Oklahoma’s education system supports the development of aerospace and defense talent, including the best high school aviation program. With aerospace being one of the state’s key industries, degrees in aerospace and aviation are increasing, year over year. Oklahoma colleges and universities are projected to produce 18,000+ aerospace-related degree completions by 2026.

“As governor, I’m proud to represent Oklahoma on the international stage to promote our booming economy, growing workforce, and renowned aerospace and defense industry, which make Oklahoma the best place for business,” said Governor Stitt. “Oklahoma is a Top Ten state, especially when it comes to aerospace and defense, and as we continue to recruit companies to our state and expand our international presence, we’re bringing Oklahoma to the world and the world to Oklahoma.”

The Paris Air Show, along with the Farnborough International Airshow, which alternate taking place every other year, are the largest and longest-running aerospace trade shows in the world. The two shows are at the very heart of business development in the global aerospace market, attracting over 150,000 aerospace executives and companies. During the show, Governor Stitt, Commerce staff and the communities and organizations in the delegation will participate in dozens of meetings with companies interested in doing business in Oklahoma.

The companies participating in the Oklahoma delegation get the benefit of having a significant presence at the show for a lower cost than if they were to exhibit alone. Many of the companies attending in the Oklahoma delegation utilize the funding available through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) which is administered by Commerce.

“Events like the Paris Air Show give us an incredible opportunity to get in front of some of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the world,” said Hopper Smith, Brigadier General, ARNG (Ret.), Oklahoma State Director of Aerospace & Defense. “We look forward to showcasing Oklahoma’s aerospace sector on a global scale and creating new opportunities for Oklahoma companies to increase their sales.”

The Oklahoma companies, communities and organizations that will be part of the Paris Air Show delegation this year include:

• Acorn Growth Companies
• Aircraft Towing Systems
• Altum Trading Company
• Aviation Training Consulting
• AVTRAC
• Consolidated Turbine Specialists
• CymSTAR
• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
• MST Manufacturing
• OMADA International
• Tubacex America
• WHI Global
• Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation
• Greater Oklahoma City
• Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
• Oklahoma Air & Space Port
• Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance
• Rose State College
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust