Midlands aerospace companies shared business opportunities at the MAA offices with a visiting trade delegation from the key US aerospace cluster in Connecticut.
The US delegation was led by Congressman Joe Courtney, member of the House Armed Services Committee.
They were greeted by local Member of Parliament Bob Ainsworth, until 2010 the UK's Secretary of State for Defence.
MAA chief executive Dr Andrew Mair summarised the key strengths of the Midlands aerospace industry for the visiting companies and explained the role played by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance in supporting the competitiveness of companies in the region.
The 20 companies, half from each cluster, introduced the capabilities they could contribute and what they were looking for from potential partners, before spending time over lunch holding one-to-one meetings.
Bob Ainsworth and Joe Courtney both addressed the meeting. They covered UK and US defence policy, defence procurement issues, and the importance of supporting the defence industrial infrastructure -- sharing fascinating insights from their experience at the heart of government decision making -- before answering questions.
Bob Ainsworth (centre) addresses the meeting while Congressman Courtney (rear) looks on
