On October 26-28, 2015, AMP SoCal participated in the inaugural National Aerospace Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Exposition in Los Angeles. The International Trade Administration (ITA), SelectUSA, and the Aerospace States Association (ASA) co-hosted the event to showcase the exceptional aerospace investment and business opportunities available in the U.S. The FDI Expo’s goal was to match foreign investors with U.S. firms and organizations seeking capital to better engage in the growing global aerospace economy.

AMP SoCal members were featured speakers in two panels: 1) Aerospace Research Investment Opportunities in Education (attended by fifty) and 2) the California State Presentation (attended by thirty).  Also, as part of the Expo, the AMP SoCal partnership hosted the California booth staffed by member volunteers to expose conference attendees to the many aerospace industry assets in the state.  It should be noted that AMP SoCal members were instrumental in making the FDI Expo a success.

The USC CED recruited partners from the region and arranged for ROTC student volunteers to assist with staffing the conference.  California State University Northridge donated the cost of printing the FDI Expo program.  The City of Los Angeles identified private contributions to pay for the AMP SoCal booth display panels, which can be used at future events.  And the Tesla Foundation and the Boeing Company donated satellite models to be displayed at the California booth in order to entice attendees to learn more about our program and services.

AMP SoCal also held an advance briefing on August 11, 2015, to help industry representatives and economic development organizations prepare how to maximize their return on time invested in attending the conference.  The target audience included domestic and international firms interested in obtaining investment or investing in the U.S. aerospace industry. The briefing was offered for registrants to attend either in person or via a webinar.  A total of 41 individuals (24 in person and 17 via webinar) participated in the advanced briefing.  The briefing presenters covered topics that included:  an overview of what to expect from the FDI Expo; how ITA could assist with strengthening the aerospace community; what is foreign direct investment and how does matchmaking take place; an overview of the aerospace export landscape; and a CEO’s perspective on the use of FDI.