CzechTrade is revolutionizing the presence of Czech aviation companies on the global stage. Through strategic initiatives and unwavering support, Czech businesses are not only participating but excelling at the prestigious AERO Friedrichshafen. In an exclusive interview, Eva Novotná (on the Picture below), Project Manager of NOVUMM2KET, shares insights on how this collaboration is propelling the Czech aviation sector into international prominence.
Eva Novotná, Project Manager of NOVUMM2KET
Supporting Industry and Impact
CzechTrade plays a pivotal role in supporting Czech businesses on the international stage. How does your participation in AERO Friedrichshafen specifically help Czech aviation companies enhance their international visibility and competitiveness?
“AERO Friedrichshafen 2024 is the most significant aviation trade fair in Europe. Czech companies have a unique opportunity to showcase their innovative products and services in the aviation sector, making it a must-attend event for those aiming to expand. By participating under the Czech Republic’s joint exhibition, companies receive greater attention through a more prominent presence and expert support in accompanying programs and networking. This support includes promotion in the trade fair catalog and the Participant Profile Catalog, which highlights individual exhibitors within the Czech joint participation and is distributed at the official information stands of the fair.”
Strategic Initiatives
What are the main goals of CzechTrade in supporting Czech companies at international events like AERO Friedrichshafen, and how do you evaluate the success of these initiatives?
“The primary goal is to facilitate the expansion of companies into foreign markets through marketing support at trade fairs. We achieve this through projects like NOVUMM 2 and NOVUMM2KET. The Aero Friedrichshafen fair is included among the supported events in the NOVUMM2KET project, co-financed by the European Union from the Operational Programme Technology and Applications for Competitiveness (OP TAK). As a result, registered companies can receive support in the form of discounted services up to CZK 160,000. This service includes rental of space, payment of mandatory fees, marketing promotion, and provision of space for negotiations and presentations for both the companies and the Czech Republic. We have been organizing the joint participation of companies under the Czech Republic’s umbrella at AERO Friedrichshafen for seven years, and each year we see increasing interest from companies. This year, 15 companies participated with support.”
Challenges and Solutions
What specific support does CzechTrade provide to Czech companies to not only participate but also excel in the competitive environment of trade fairs like AERO Friedrichshafen?
“As mentioned earlier, small and medium-sized enterprises receive de minimis support in the form of discounted services. Companies do not receive monetary funds from CzechTrade but services under favorable conditions with a 30% financial participation by the participant. Additionally, marketing support is provided at the event through catalogs, flyers, or promotion on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. Companies can also receive support for attending conferences, symposiums, or seminars held during the trade fair, which can further increase brand or product visibility.”
Future Plans
Considering the changing trends in global trade and technology, what are CzechTrade’s strategies for further supporting the Czech aviation industry, especially at international exhibitions and trade fairs?
“The NOVUMM2KET project is planned until the end of 2027, and companies can take advantage of support at the AERO Friedrichshafen fair in the coming years. Otherwise, by the end of 2027, 60 fairs focused on key technology areas are planned within the NOVUMM2KET project. In the first half of this year, four fairs have already been held in this project, not only from the aviation sector but also from the fields of healthcare, water management, and electrical engineering.
Moreover, within CzechTrade, we closely cooperate with the Moravian Aerospace Cluster, organizing international trade fairs for companies together, such as the Aerospace & Defense Meeting Sevilla 2024 held in May, and we plan to participate in Japan Aerospace 2024 in Tokyo this fall.”
Success Stories
Could you share a success story of a Czech company that significantly benefited from CzechTrade’s support at a previous AERO Friedrichshafen fair?
“The Czech company C.S.O. established a business partnership with the Swiss company Gyron, which manufactures gyrocopters with a unique design, thanks to their participation at the Aero Friedrichshafen fair in 2023. C.S.O. offered its new customer a significant reduction in the weight of the entire cabin, by up to half compared to the previous manufacturing method. The Czech company used high-tech technology and autoclave processing, which the customer did not use in their production. C.S.O. holds an AS9100D certificate, allowing them to supply both composite and machined parts to the aviation sector, giving them a competitive edge in this market. After producing the first prototype of the gyrocopter cabin and its assembly, the company received additional orders.”
Note: Please be aware that Ms. Eva Novotná is no longer with CzechTrade. For any inquiries regarding the NOVUMM2KET project and future editions of the AERO Friedrichshafen fair, please contact the current project manager, Viktorie Hrdličková at viktorie.hrdlickova@
Interviewed and edited: by Katerina Urbanová
Photo credit: Czech Trade
