AAD 2006 to be held at AFB Ysterplaat
Date: 31 January 2006
After two months of rumour, the following press release was issued on 31 January 2006 by the AAD organisers:
AAD Venue: Decision Pending
Much speculation and rumour has surrounded the availability of Air Force Base Waterkloof for the hosting of Africa Aerospace and Defence 2006 (AAD 06).
The management of AAD has not been in a position to communicate the situation to all its stakeholders. However, this all changed on 12 January 2006 when it was reported that the ongoing problems being experienced at AFB Waterkloof have been exacerbated by the inclement weather over the past six weeks. As a result AFB Waterkloof is no longer available for the hosting of AAD 06.
AAD management suspecting the non-availability of AFB Waterkloof since November 2005 undertook a due diligence on all the venues in Gauteng that could possibly host the exhibition.
Traditional exhibition venues (Gallagher, The Dome at Northgate) are firstly not available on the dates set for AAD, secondly have insufficient square meterage and finally are prohibitively expensive. The evaluation of venues then advanced to both military
and civilian air fields. None of the airfields in Gauteng match the requirements needed by AAD.
Representatives of AAD attended the AFB Ysterplaat Air Show in early December 2005 to determine its suitability for hosting AAD 06. The representatives were impressed by the infrastructural state of AFB Ysterplaat, as well as the atmosphere and opportunities for AAD and its exhibitors in Cape Town. The shareholders are of the opinion that moving the show to Cape Town has many more advantages than disadvantages as Cape Town has so much to offer in terms of its natural beauty and tourism attraction, which could lead to an increase in local and international trade visitors. The possible change in venue from Pretoria to Cape Town has been seen as a positive move by many local and foreign exhibitors. In addition, the enthusiasm shown by the Officer Commanding and his team at AFB YSTERPLAAT can only bode well for the continued success of AAD.
A recommendation was accordingly made to the Policy Committee (POLCOM) of AAD that AFB Ysterplaat be considered as the only suitable venue to host AAD.
Lt Gen Gagiano, Chief of the Air Force, and a member of the POLCOM, will now present this to the Minister of Defence for his approval. The management of AAD undertakes to give all stakeholders complete transparency in the way forward and will issue a press release as soon as said ministerial approval is achieved.
AAD press release (Vol 1, issue 2)
