Oklahoma delegation strengthens aerospace connections at Farnborough

Representatives from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber joined the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and other statewide partners at the Farnborough International Airshow this summer, strengthening relationships with aerospace companies and showcasing Oklahoma's growing aerospace and defense industry on a global stage. 

Held every two years outside London, Farnborough is one of the world's premier aerospace and defense events, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, industry leaders and government representatives from around the world. As part of the Oklahoma delegation, the Chamber met with companies and organizations to support existing industry partners, explore future investment opportunities and reinforce Oklahoma's position as a leader in aerospace and defense. 

"We have a dual economic development mission at the Chamber: supporting our existing companies and attracting new ones to the region," said Dennis Pruitt, senior vice president of economic development. "By listening, observing and meeting, I gained a better appreciation of the issues our existing aerospace companies are facing. We had more than 80 conversations at this show, opening the doors to new potential projects, new relationships with site selection advisors and enhanced international collaboration with aerospace associations." 

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President and CEO Christy Gillenwater talks to Oklahoma Department of Commerce CEO John Budd.

Throughout the event, Chamber representatives met with aerospace manufacturers;, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies;, advanced composite materials suppliers;, drone and counter-drone companies; and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) innovators. Meetings also included aerospace associations from Austria, France, Japan and Spain, with conversations focused on aerospace innovation, workforce development, incentives and emerging technologies. 

One topic that generated significant interest was the Vertical Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR), currently under construction at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. The advanced testing facility highlights Oklahoma City's growing role in advanced air mobility, an area Pruitt identified as a major opportunity for future growth. 

The visit also reinforced the importance of collaboration across Oklahoma's aerospace ecosystem. Working alongside the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) Program, the Oklahoma Air & Space Port and the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, the Chamber continues to support existing employers, strengthen international partnerships and position the Greater Oklahoma City region for continued aerospace investment.