Overview

The Avalon International Airshow is Australia’s largest defence and aerospace exhibition, attracting thousands of global defence and aviation stakeholders. For international companies, particularly those from the U.S., Avalon offers unmatched access to the Asia-Pacific market—but success depends on more than just showing up. Foley provides the local insight, connections, and strategy needed to turn presence into partnerships.

The Challenge

For many international companies, entering the Australian defence market can be complex. The landscape involves navigating local regulations, understanding procurement processes, and identifying the right contacts across both government and industry. At a high-traffic event like Avalon, it’s easy for businesses to get lost in the noise without a focused engagement strategy.

Our Approach

Foley’s tailored trade mission support begins well before the event. For Avalon 2025, Foley partnered with the Maryland Department of Commerce to support eight U.S. defence and aerospace companies. Foley met individually with each firm to refine their objectives and identify ideal partners. From there, we managed outreach and arranged targeted B2B meetings, leveraging our extensive Australian network to ensure high-quality engagements.

On the ground, Foley staff supported delegates throughout the event, providing schedule management, meeting facilitation, and market context. After the show, we continued engagement with prospects and assisted clients with follow-ups and potential partnership discussions.

Results

At Avalon 2025, Foley coordinated over 80 B2B meetings across the delegation, connecting Maryland companies with major industry players including Thales, Babcock, Leidos Australia, and Nova Systems. These connections led to new distributor conversations, pilot project discussions, and deeper engagement with the Australian supply chain.

Companies such as Tilt Autonomy, Armaments Research Company, and Maven Engineering reported that the meetings far exceeded what could be achieved through virtual outreach alone. Several firms established follow-up meetings or began evaluating local partnerships as a direct result of Foley’s matchmaking efforts.

Client Feedback

“The results are beyond what you can reach via email or video conference—even with existing customers. Foley made the difference between showing up and truly connecting.”
— Delegate, Maven Engineering Corporation

“Juliet and the Foley team were incredibly supportive and helpful throughout the event. They ensured our meetings were relevant and well-coordinated.”
— Josh Smith, COO, Tilt Autonomy

Conclusion

Foley transforms Avalon Airshow participation into measurable commercial outcomes. With deep expertise in defence, aerospace, and international trade facilitation, Foley ensures that companies don’t just attend Avalon—they leave with real opportunities and a clear path forward in the Australian market.

Contact us now to learn how Foley can support your presence at Avalon 2027 or other defence trade missions.